Piscataway Firefighter Sues Township, Alleging Sexual Harassment

PISCATAWAY, NJ — A former volunteer Piscataway firefighter is now suing the Township of Piscataway and two of the volunteer fire houses there, saying she was a victim of sexual harassment.

Kira Castellon, who lives in Piscataway, is seeking financial damages against Arbor Hose Company # 1, Piscataway Fire District No. 3 and Piscataway Township.

Castellon used to work as a volunteer firefighter assigned to Arbor Hose Company; she joined the department in 2015.

Castellon said she was the only woman who ever worked as a firefighter at Arbor Hose, and also said it was openly known that she is a lesbian. She said a new male firefighter was hired in 2016 and began sexually harassing her; "on an almost daily basis from late 2016 through January 2019, (he) groped and kissed (her) on the mouth without her consent."

"On an almost daily basis from late 2016 through January 2019, (he) thrust his pelvis into plaintiff from all directions as his way of saying hello and goodbye," alleged her lawsuit.

Castellon said she would have to push the man off her, "while witnesses to the disgusting events laughed."

She also said that "on an almost daily basis from 2017 through January 2019, (he) licked her face as a greeting, approached her from behind and gave her completely unwarranted hugs from the rear, continued to thrust his pelvis into her, and groped her breasts in view of other employees."

He also said to her on at least 10 occasions, "Get on your knees and I’ll make you straight again,"she alleges.

She said multiple high-ranking Piscataway fire officials and chiefs all witnessed the harassment.

Her superiors did nothing, she said. The sexual abuse continued even after she became injured and had to use crutches for a period, she said.

"The sexual harassment was open and notorious, which became widely known throughout the firehouse," read her lawsuit.

Castellon said she reported the harassment to her supervisors several times but nothing happened. Castellon said she sought to file a written complaint, but was informed by a chief “We don’t do that here," who instead said he would talk to the firefighter himself.

Castellon was fired as a volunteer firefighter on Oct. 30, 2019 after the fire company said she used Arbor Hose’s tax-exempt ID number to make purchases for herself at the local Sam’s Club. However, Castellon said the items she bought were for use at the firehouse, and that she was fired as retaliation for reporting the harassment multiple times to her supervisors.

The town of Piscataway declined to comment. Six volunteer fire companies and three volunteer rescue squads serve Piscataway Township; the fire companies are governed by independently elected boards.

Castellon is represented by Paul Castronovo of Castronovo & McKinney of Morristown. She is seeking a trial by jury.