Alameda County Firefighter Placed on Leave After Racist Remarks

An Alameda County firefighter has been placed on administrative leave following the viral spread of a TikTok video showing him making racially charged remarks during a traffic dispute. The video, recorded by the other driver, Vath Touch, captures the firefighter calling the driver a 'dumbass Mexican' and making derogatory comments about his ethnicity and employment. Chief William McDonald stated that the language used by the firefighter does not align with the department's values and emphasized the ongoing investigation into the incident. While the firefighter, identified as Benjamin Guild, expressed remorse, McDonald refrained from labeling the comments as racist until the investigation concludes. The firefighter has been with the department since 2004, and the incident occurred off-duty after a car accident near Lodi. McDonald publicly apologized on behalf of the department, stressing that such behavior is not representative of their values.