A local fire chief has been suspended for using racist language and implying that he would shoot protestors on social media.

Despite condemnation by town leaders and his own colleagues of his racist comments on social media, Washington Heights (Town of Wallkill) Fire Chief Chuck Healy defended his speech, saying one particular term he used “has nothing to do with race.”

Ahead of Monday’s police brutality protests in Middletown, Healy repeatedly described the protesters as “pavement apes” in Facebook posts. Reached by phone Tuesday morning, Healy maintained he was disparaging all protesters, not just black protesters.

“This has got me upset, really upset, that people think I’m a racist. That’s disgusting,” Healy said.

When asked whether he uses the term around friends and family, he replied, “yeah, absolutely.”

Several neighbors and some other firefighters told Spectrum News, Healy’s words give them pause, knowing the chief plays a major role in community and educational events.

“What you’re really saying is he was thinking about it [at other times], but he was saying it to his friend,” former Middletown firefighter Eugene Hasbrouk said when approached outside a nearby convenience store. “What kind of leadership is he doing? I think he needs to be removed from his position.”

“This is a perfect example of why black people are angry today,” Middletown protest organizer Moochie Merchant said of Healy’s comments. “We try and try and try, and still we are described as thugs, apes, etc. “We will continue to apply pressure on those right in our community to get these racists out.”

Wallkill Town Supervisor Frank DenDanto does not have the ability to impose discipline on Healy since the fire company is overseen by its own board of civil officers.

DenDanto said Tuesday afternoon that if he were Healy, “I would probably consider resigning. I think it would help create a breath so that I could reset my vocabulary and maybe reconfigure my priorities.”

Doubling down on his assertion that his language is not racist, Healy blamed the fallout from his statements on others.

“The media is part of this country’s problem, and you’re the media,” Healy said to a Spectrum News Reporter. “You’re just as bad as the freaking democrats.”

A spokesperson for the civil officers board said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that Healy — a 34-year firefighter with several relatives in the company — embarrassed the other firefighters.

The spokesperson said the civil officers are reviewing disciplinary options with their attorney and that Healy should apologize.

A full transcription of the statement is below:

“The Washington Heights Fire Company is aware of the statement made by Chuck Healy on his personal Facebook page. The Washington Heights Fire Company does not condone his statement or his views. The mission of the fire company is to protect all residents. Mr. Healy’s post was insensitive and inappropriate at a time when all people should be unified against hate and discrimination. The members of the fire company are frankly embarrassed and assure the community that these statements do not reflect the views of our volunteer firefighters. We fully understand and appreciate the feelings of our residents at this time. Mr. Healy has been removed from duty at this time while the company is reviewing all of our disciplinary options with legal counsel. We strongly suggest that Mr. Healy offer a public apology for his personal statements. The reaction of the fire company will be swift, but enforcement of our high standards must be done properly and in accordance with state law. While we understand the public outrage at this moment, we must ask the community not to obstruct fire company operations in any way. The fire company’s volunteers must remain able to respond safely and quickly to emergencies in our community. We ask you to support our mission of saving lives and property of all of our citizens. The fire company will keep the public informed of our actions and decisions.”