Victorious Plaintiffs In Monarch Fire District Discrimination Suit Speak Out

The women who had a successful verdict in an employment discrimination lawsuit against the Monarch Fire Protection District upheld in state appeals court have broken their silence over the case.

Donna Kessler and Dana Buckley spoke to KTVI/FOX2's Andy Banker in a story which aired earlier this week.

Kessler and Buckley, along with two other women, filed a sex discrimination suit against the district, claiming the bias they were shown cost them employment opportunities and put public safety at risk by keeping female firefighters off firetrucks for extended periods of time, hurting their ability to perform a firefighter's duties.

In the verdict upheld earlier this month by a state appeals court, Kessler and Buckley will each receive $200,000. The two other plaintiffs were not awarded in the judgment.

Last week, who were identified by the lawsuit, after they refused to resign with a neutral job recommendation. FOX2 reports the chiefs, who together had more than 130 years of experience, are considering their own legal action.

On Tuesday, the district announced the interim appointments of five men to replace those removed or demoted in the wake of the failed appeal.

• Operations Chief: John Borgmann – a 30-year veteran of the Monarch Fire Protection District who comes from the rank of Battalion Chief.
• EMS Chief: Nick Harper – a 32-year veteran of the Monarch Fire Protection District who comes from the rank of Captain/Acting Battalion Chief.
• A-Shift Battalion Chief: Larry Beauchamp – a 33-year veteran of the Monarch Fire Protection District who comes from the rank of Captain/Acting Battalion Chief.
• B-Shift Battalion Chief: Jim Wilcox – a 38-year veteran of the Monarch Fire Protection District who comes from the rank of Captain/Acting Battalion Chief.
• C-Shift Battalion Chief: Bill Long – a 23-year veteran of the Monarch Fire Protection District who comes from the rank of Captain/Acting Battalion Chief.