Questionable decisions and practices surrounding Knoxville Fire Department Chief Carlos Perez continue to raise eyebrows.
Chief Perez has recently been in the press for overtime spending, various expense-related issues such as a $100,000 shower facility, and for not necessarily providing equal treatment to transgendered fire persons. If one is to believe the rumor mill, however, these past stories are just a few of the many oddities surrounding the KFD today.
One fireman, who would only speak under the condition of anonymity, states the Perez has finally gone too far. “For one, he makes me wear a black and white spotted jacket and sit next to him like a Dalmatian. I don’t know why he doesn’t just use the real dog, but I don’t feel right acting like that. And another thing, he makes us climb up the pole each morning. I don’t know why he does it, but it’s now a daily requirement. And believe me, it’s not easy climbing that pole. It’s really made to slide down, not up. He just stands around and giggles while we climb. Once, last week, he even greased the pole a little to make it even harder to climb.”
Perez has not been reached for comment, but a spokesperson for the KFD was quick to point out that Knoxville has yet to burn, so we shouldn’t worry so much about details.