Update: Waterville’s fire chief responded Friday saying the firefighter had injured his hand and made the gesture unknowingly. Read the latest story here.

Waterville’s fire chief on Thursday said it was “completely unacceptable” that a firefighter appeared to make a hand gesture associated with white power in an official department photo.





The photo featuring the entire Waterville Fire Department had been used as the cover photo for the department’s Facebook page since it was uploaded Tuesday. The fire department removed it on Thursday evening after the BDN asked about the firefighter’s hand gesture — an “OK” sign that has been listed as a symbol of hate.