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A former captain of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department is suing the city over allegations that she was subjected to harassment and nonstandard physical tests because she is female.
The federal court lawsuit says Dawyna Taylor Halliday was eventually fired after the chief refused to accommodate a medical condition by delaying an agility test she was required to take.
A spokesman for the city of Saratoga Springs, Owen Jackson, said that while the city is aware of the lawsuit, it does not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit pins the blame for the alleged discrimination on Jess Campbell, who was hired as fire chief in fall 2011.
When Halliday asked a question in a staff meeting about hair grooming, the lawsuit claims that Campbell responded "that if plaintiff had problems with the policy, then she should cut her hair because the job is for firefighters, not fire women."
The lawsuit also cites other demeaning comments Campbell allegedly made about women, including telling male firefighters they "had better go put on your skirts" after learning that a job applicant was a woman.
The lawsuit claims Campbell instituted nonstandard physical tests that included climbing 180 steps when no building in the city had that many steps and one that required firefighters to perform with 70 pounds of equipment when the equipment Halliday used did not weigh 70 pounds.
She was fired after the city refused to delay a test by 60 days, as her doctor recommended, because of a medical condition.
The suit alleges violations of federal anti-discrimination laws and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Halliday asks the court to award her lost wages, damages for emotional distress, punitive damages and attorney fees and costs. She also asked for an injunction against current and future discrimination by the city.