Tulsa Firefighter Reprimanded For Role in Topless Photos Scandal

A Tulsa firefighter was reprimanded Tuesday for his role in a fire house sex scandal. The fire department's announcement came late Tuesday afternoon. Firefighter W.D. French was disciplined by the

Tuesday, February 22nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa firefighter was reprimanded Tuesday for his role in a fire house sex scandal. The fire department's announcement came late Tuesday afternoon. Firefighter W.D. French was disciplined by the department for being photographed with a topless woman in photos taken at a local fire station.

French received an official reprimand in his employee file for taking part in unprofessional conduct. The photographs were taken at fire station 14 located at 36th and Lewis Avenue in late 1996 or early 1997.

As a result, Tulsa Fire Department chief Tom Baker says he's ordered his supervising officers to pay more attention to any activities that could embarrass the department. "One of the standards I've told them outside all the legalese, is that if there's something in our fire stations that you wouldn't want a group of students or members of your family to see, it doesn't belong in our stations," Baker said.

Tuesday's disciplinary action closes the second recent scandal at fire station 14. Four firefighters retired in the face of disciplinary action after a separate case of sexual misconduct late last year.

Chief Baker says the firefighter who got the reprimand Tuesday is remorseful for what he's done. The chief also says the man may have been misled by the inappropriate attitude at station 14. Baker assures the community that the proper adjustments have been made.