Hartford Fire Chief Faces Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits
(Hartford-WTNH)_They put their lives on the line just about every day, but Hartford Firefighters say it's getting harder and harder to do that.
The men on the front lines tell us morale is at an all-time low.

Charles Peterson, Hartford Firefighter: "Working conditions are becoming tougher and tougher."

Peterson is suing Chief Robert Dobson for what Peterson calls reverse discrimination. Nine other firefighters are named in the lawsuit with him, and two others have filed separate individual suits making the same accusations.

Peterson: "Certain black firefighters on the job have requested transfers and received them immediately to the firehouses of their choice. White firefighters seem to get transfered to fire houses not of their choice."

The Hartford Firefighter says he was passed over for several promotions...and when he complained about it, he was transfered here to the Sisson Street firehouse.

Peterson: "To be thrown into a whole different neighborhood and have to learn that whole neighborhood is not beneficial."

As he prepares his lawsuit, the chief has been out, suspended and under criminal investigation. He was caught on tape using his city vehicle to conduct personal business. Dobson has also been accused of taking improper comp time.
On the street today, firefighters tell us the mood is depressing, but they're trying their hardest to be professional.

Lt. Raul Guinazu,Hartford Fire Dept: "The public doesn't have anything to worry about. We're still doing our job when we go out the door. And all of us give 150%, 100% of the time."

One lawsuit has been filed already. An attorney is preparing two others. A total of twelve firefighters are taking Dobson to court, meantime his criminal investigation continues.
The Hartford Fire Chief is due back at his office tomorrow.

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