In San Luis Obispo, California, some firefighters are upset at being portrayed as hot and sexy in a video made by the Fire Chief.
Two firefighters filed the complaint against Fire Chief Garret Olson and City Manager Katie Lichtig for what they believe was an inappropriate video. Chief Olson meant it as a joke, but apologized for what he did anyway. “I’m not here to defend my actions,” he said, “I’m here to apologize to anyone that was offended,”
The firefighters were offended by two things in particular. The first was being objectified when several Chamber of Commerce female employees asked “before you go, can you please tell me, are any of those hot firefighters going to be at the annual dinner?” in the video. The second was when the Lichtig and several other employees were wearing shirts meant to look like muscular men while dancing and rapping.
“When the video was first created, the intention was for it to be good-natured, entertaining, self-deprecating again, with no desire to be disrespectful to anybody.” Olson said. “I stand here to be accountable and apologetic to anyone that was offended by the video”
Lichtig also issued a statement apologizing for her part in the video. “I apologize that my role was offensive to some.” she said. “Additionally, I regret not fully contemplating the reaction some had to the video. I would never want to offend any member of the community.”
Olson also says he used his own personal resources to make the video, but an independent investigator was brought in to get to the bottom of the story.
