Incident Caught on Camera Sparks Outrage
A fire chief on Long Island has been removed from duty after a disturbing video surfaced showing him aggressively shouting at a distressed 10-year-old girl during an emergency response. The footage, which went viral after being posted to TikTok on Monday, shows the girl strapped to a stretcher as Chief Peter Alt, a 22-year veteran of the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company, yells profanities at her.
Video Triggers Swift Reaction
In the video, Alt can be heard shouting, “Shut the f–k up! It’s like this with you every f–king week!” The child, visibly distressed, pleads, “I don’t want to go! I want to go home!” To this, Alt yells back, “Shut your mouth!” before the ambulance doors close.
The North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company issued a statement Tuesday confirming Alt had been relieved of his duties. “The fire company does not condone this behaviour and deems it unacceptable,” the statement read. An internal inquiry has been launched, with officials pledging to review their training, policies, and procedures related to emergency calls.
Eyewitnesses Speak Out
The girl’s grandmother, who spoke to NBC New York, said that Alt was among the first responders called to help calm the child during a mental health crisis. The incident took place Monday night in West Babylon.
Neighbour Mark Simms, who witnessed the situation, expressed concern over Alt’s conduct. “That’s not a professional way to deal with people,” he said. “I wouldn’t want him to speak to my children like that or anyone in my family. I’d be outraged myself.”
Town Officials Condemn Behaviour
The Town of Babylon issued a statement on Facebook condemning Alt’s conduct as “appalling.” Officials said, “The use of demeaning and inappropriate language by a first responder during an aided call is appalling and completely at odds with the standards of dignity, respect, and professionalism our residents deserve.”
The statement added that Alt’s removal was appropriate and called for “a full and transparent review of the incident.”
Investigation Underway
As of Wednesday, the fire company has not released any further details regarding disciplinary measures or the timeline of its internal review. The community continues to react strongly, with many calling for reforms in how emergency personnel are trained to handle mental health situations, particularly involving children.
