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Listen: Fire Lt. makes lewd comments about female EMT on radio

A dispatcher told him twice that his microphone was open; he’s on paid administrative leave

AURORA, Colo. — A fire department lieutenant was caught over the radio making lewd comments about a female EMT.

The Denver Channel reported that the incident occurred in March and was captured on a dispatch recording. The call comes in as a medical dispatch.

“This is going to be ... 73-year-old female, conscious and breathing. Looks like knee pain from a fall,” said the dispatcher on the recording. “Engine 11 copies and you can show us on scene,” replies the lieutenant.

The lieutenant with Aurora Fire Engine 11 then starts talking about the female EMT. His mic is left on, and everyone hears him say the EMT’s first name, followed by, “The department bicycle. Everyone gets to ride her (laughs).”

He is then heard on the recording getting a warning from the dispatcher.

“Engine 11, open mic on Tac 2,” the dispatcher said.

The lieutenant goes on to mention a female ranking officer by name in a derogatory way.

“She was the top dog there,” the lieutenant said.

The dispatcher is heard saying again, “Engine 11, open mic Tac 2. Engine 11, open mic Tac 2.”

The female EMT told reporters that she was embarrassed. She considers it sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and defamation of character.

A spokeswoman with the city said they are looking into the incident and provided the following statement:

“The city can confirm that there is a current open investigation and an employee is on paid administrative leave.”

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