A Central Florida Tourism District Firefighter Is Suing the Governing Body Over Discrimination Claims
A firefighter at The District Fire Department is suing her employer, alleging that she was discriminated against based on her sex and race.
According to a report from Gabrielle Russon at Florida Politics, Thinh Rappa, an Asian-American, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), where she is still employed.
Photo: CFTOD
Here is the story.
The Trouble Began in 2021
Rappa was hired as a firefighter EMT by the then-Reedy Creek Fire Department on May 9, 2011. The fire department services Walt Disney World.
According to her lawsuit, “the District subjected Mrs. Rappa to a hostile work environment based on her race, national origin, and gender and retaliated against her when she complained about the same to HR.”
The District Fire Department. Photo: District Fire Department via The Orlando Sentinel.
The trouble began in 2021 when another firefighter told Rappa that she could not help him squeeze a lemon because “You’re not strong enough to help; it’s a man’s job.”
Later, the same firefighter told her, “Maybe you should speak English, Thinh,” before mockingly yelling, “Ying, yang, yong, ping, ping, pong.”
The Hotel Incident
Later in the lawsuit, Rappa further recalled an incident in which she and another EMT were dispatched to a hotel after a father reported that his son was “extremely sick” and had been coughing all night.
Rappa quickly concluded that the child was suffering from Croup, a common infection caused by swelling in the airway.
Photo: Reedy Creek Fire Department
Her colleague, however, had chosen not to bring the airway bag from the fire engine with him and insisted to the father that his son was fine.
Returning to the hotel elevator to leave, the medic reportedly bragged to Rappa, stating, “See, I got us out of there early, and we get to go home now.”
When Rappa accused him of acting unprofessionally, the EMT lashed out.
Photo: cba.cj
“I am the medic here not you!” he yelled, pinning Rappa against the wall with a stretcher.
Later, Rappa would go on medical leave after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from both the incident and her job.
What Rappa Is Seeking
Rappa is now seeking an injunction against the CFTOD to stop discriminatory acts. Additionally, she is suing for back pay and compensatory damages.
Photo: Miriam-Webster
