Off The Record

Alabama Firefighter Fired After Getting Tattoo On The Back Of Her Head

Published on November 30, 2024

The subject of tattoos is one that always sparks discussion. Are they simply inked clutter or do they have a purpose? Although it’s a personal choice, ink can occasionally have unexpected effects.

As an example, consider Kay’Ana Adams, an Alabama firefighter whose tattoo sparked a heated debate.

Kay’Ana Adams, an Alabama fireman, garnered significant attention not long ago. In 2023, the Mobile Fire Department in Alabama let her go after only nine months of employment. Her “crime”? She has a tattoo on the back of her skull that she received in June 2022.

Someone lodged a complaint

Kay’Ana believed she hadn’t broken any rules, as the department’s policy only prohibits tattoos on the face or neck. ”I figured mine could be done in decency and order. I could also, based on the rules, cover it up,” she told WKRG.

However, someone complained about her ink in spite of her attempts to maintain compliance.

“The next thing I knew I was being investigated, interrogated, and then they made their decision that I was in violation of policy,” she recalled.

The department recommended that she grow out her hair to conceal the tattoo.

Kay’Ana completed the task. However, the issue didn’t stop there.

A few weeks later, someone filed another complaint, this time about her hair’s inability to meet departmental standards.

“We have different textures of hair,” she said. “So, you have no idea how long it takes for my hair to grow.”

Dramatic twist: ”Definitely blindsided”

A few months after her tattoo, the department abruptly changed its policy. The department also prohibited tattoos on the head. On November 10, a captain snapped a picture of her head, now with her tattoo covered by her hair, despite her best efforts to abide by both the old and new regulations.

A few hours later, they fired her.

“Definitely blindsided; I never thought it would come to this, especially considering I was in compliance,” Kay’Ana said. “I’m not necessarily out here trying to be disobedient… it’s just a tattoo. What’s behind me shouldn’t affect the work that’s in front of me.”

”I really enjoy being a firefighters.” So, I guess that’s the saddest part is that, you know, I really liked what I was doing,” she also told Local12.

Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste acknowledged the dismissal in a written statement, stating that the employee had not met departmental requirements.

The meaning of her tattoo

Kay’Ana might have found the termination particularly difficult because the tattoo was more than just a picture. For her, it had a profoundly personal significance.

”My tattoos are an extension of who I am as a person,” she said. “If I had known I was violating their policy, I would have never done it.”

”For me to still become a firefighter and to have scoliosis, I got the tattoo to kind of tell myself and tell other people that asked me about it that you can still achieve certain goals regardless of the obstacles that are in front of you,” she said.

A medical disorder known as scoliosis causes the spine to bend sideways, frequently in the form of an “S” or “C.” Scoliosis can range in severity; some people have a modest curvature that doesn’t cause significant issues, while others may have a more noticeable bend that, in extreme situations, can cause pain, discomfort, and even issues with the heart or breathing.

The real reason Kay’Ana Adams got fired?

Kay’Ana doesn’t believe her termination was due to the tattoo. She thinks that being vocal about problems at work has a greater impact.

She had raised concerns about sexist comments made by two male firefighters, as well as an incident during a training session when some colleagues joked about tying nooses. “I just kind of stood up and said, ‘you know, if you want to learn how to do that, I think that it’s best you do that on your free time.’”

The situation worsened when Kay’Ana persisted in speaking up. Jason Craig and Rodrick Shoots, two of the department’s captains, supported her.

They have their own repercussions as a result. Craig received a 30-day suspension, and Shoots faced firing for attempting to obstruct a superior’s command.

Battiste reported that Craig received discipline for his insubordination and failure to disclose policy infractions, while Shoots faced termination due to his defiance of commands and use of disparaging language.

Kay’Ana’s story serves as a reminder of how strict employment regulations might conflict with personal expression, hairstyles, and tattoos.