Black Firefighter Faced Years Of Racial Harassment, Later Died By Suicide

Photo: Getty Images A shocking report that uncovered decades of racism in an England fire department included harassment against a Black firefighter who later died by suicide, per the International Fire & Safety Journal. An independent review by West Midlands Employers determined that the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was institutionally racist from 1991 to 2018 as Black firefighters faced bullying, hostility, and harassment from their colleagues. Among those Black firefighters was Avanos Biney, who served in force from 1998 to 2001 and died by suicide at 49 in 2017. According to the report, Biney was frequently subjected to racist remarks, isolation, and intimidation by his colleagues. The N-word was reportedly written on Biney’s clothing and swastikas were placed in his belongings. The report states that Biney’s food was tampered with, itching powder was put in his kit and bed, and glass was placed in his shoes. Biney was also reportedly subjected to hazardous situations by his colleagues, including a time when other firefighters swayed and spun a ladder he was on that wasn’t fully secured. No action was taken against the employees involved. Biney filed a tribunal application for racial discrimination and victimization in 2002 that was later dismissed....