UPPER DEERFIELD TWP. — A former female officer at the Upper Deerfield Fire Co. is suing the department for discrimination.
Kimberlee Read, 22, of Bridgeton, who had been appointed acting lieutenant of the fire department, claims she was treated maliciously by five male employees and was unjustly dismissed from the voluntary company after filing multiple complaints, according to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Bridgeton.
Defendants from the fire department include Chief Dave Rogers Jr., Assistant Chief Michael Dyer, Capt. Tim Pierson, Capt. Nathan Mixner, Lt. Khristian Gates, according to the suit. Upper Deerfield Township is also named as a defendant.
Read alleges in the lawsuit that despite having been promoted to lieutenant, she was not recognized by the defendants as an officer. She claims in the suit that officers told her there was no reason for her to be in the meetings and was advised not to attend.
According to the lawsuit, "In 2012, (during) an officers meeting, Read accidentally entered into the meeting room and was immediately told by Chief Dave Rogers to "get the (expletive) out of here, we are having an officers meeting."
According to court documents, Read complained about the mistreatment, but alleges Assistant Chief Michael Dyer said, "I advise you not to open your (expletive) mouth."
According to Read, no action was taken on the grievance she filed.
She also alleges that males who joined the department after her received promotions, new gear and other privileges — and that she was mandated to a one-year period before receiving similar entitlements, something she claims was unique only to her.
On March 5, 2013, the suit alleges, while responding to an alarm call, Read says she questioned why only two firefighters had responded to the call. She alleges that Capt. Tim Pierson told her to "go the (expletive) home."
On the same day, Read said she complained to Rogers about the mistreatment, but claims, again, no action was taken, the suit said.
According to the suit, in March 2013, she was advised that her red lieutenant badge was taken from her red lieutenant helmet and replaced with a black firefighter badge — signifying a demotion in rank. She alleges this was done without any accusation of misconduct against her and she was not afforded a hearing or opportunity to respond to any claim that would substantiate removing her badge.
In June 2013, Read claims that she was advised by Rogers that she had two options: Either quit the fire department or go inactive, the suit says.
On July 15, 2013, Rogers informed Read that she was terminated from the fire department and that she needed to have a resignation letter within four days, according to court documents.
Read also alleges in the suit that Rogers threatened her, allegedly saying if she went to the township committee, the fire department officers would find a way to have her fired from her position with the Bridgeton Police Department.
However, Read informed her superior at the police department about her concern of having false claims advanced against her.
Read's lawsuit claims the defendants violated her rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination as well as her constitutional and civil rights under the federal constitution and the New Jersey Civil Rights Act.
The suit asks for a jury trial.
Read is seeking an award of compensatory damages, punitive damages, cost of the lawsuit, reasonable attorney's fees as well as other equitable compensation.
Attorney Doug Long, of Long Marmero & Associates, in Woodbury, is representing the defendants.
"My clients runs a very tight ship ... Right now the allegations are just that — allegations. But whether the behavior is factual or not, my clients do not condone any behavior that creates a hostile work environment," Long said.
Long added, "And we will rigorously defend against any of these allegations."
The next step is the discovery phase where there will be depositions.
Read's attorney, John Morris, of Bridgeton, said "I do not try my cases in the press room — instead I (try) them in the courtroom."
