Noose found inside North Seattle fire station

SEATTLE — The Seattle Fire Department said it is launching an investigation after a noose was found inside Fire Station 24 in North Seattle.

According to fire officials, a firefighter found the noose inside the station and alerted fire department managers.

The incident is the second noose case to be investigated by the Seattle Fire Department since 2020.

As a result, Black firefighters told KIRO 7 they were fearful to go to work.

“It definitely makes you feel uneasy. It definitely makes you want to look over your shoulder,” said one firefighter, who wished to stay anonymous for fear of retribution.

Little is known about the origins of the noose found at Fire Station 24.

As an investigation begins, Seattle’s Fire Chief Harold D. Scoggins is pledging zero tolerance for hate.

In an email to his employees on Feb. 18, he wrote in part, “I also wish to acknowledge how this affects our Black firefighters and professional staff. I see you, and I understand. ... Any instance where a noose is found in our workplace represents a direct threat.”

Yet, with two noose incidents for the department in as many years, Black firefighters say they will likely be on edge for a while.

“Our core values are integrity, courage, compassion, teamwork, and diversity, and a noose completely negates all of those,” one firefighter told KIRO 7.

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