Suit rips EMS ‘bias’

Entrenched sexism and racism in the ranks of the FDNY’s Emergency Medical Services is prohibiting women and minority workers from being promoted, a classaction suit charges.

The Manhattan federal suit claims female and minority EMS staffers struggle to rise beyond the rank of lieutenant, a promotion based on a civil service-type exam, because the FDNY is using a “subjective promotional process” after that point.

“Promotions, policies, practices, customs, procedures and criteria, which are not standardized or tied to merit-based performance, have created an environment that has allowed discrimination to flourish,” the plaintiffs claim.

While 24 percent of women in the EMS hold the rank of lieutenant, only 18 percent rose to the rank of captain, the suit says.

As to promotions across racial lines, 45 percent of EMS lieutenants are people of color, but only 35 percent of captains are, according to the suit.

Lead plaintiff Lt. Renee Mascol claims she has applied for a captain position four times since 2014. After each interview, she has been told that her performance was excellent and that she “nailed it” but has never been promoted, the lawsuit charged.

A Law Department spokesman said officials “will review the complaint and respond accordingly.”