MOBILE, Ala. — A Black female firefighter in Mobile, Alabama, says she was wrongfully terminated last year after getting a tattoo on the back of her head, an action she insists complied with the department’s grooming and appearance standards.
Kay’Ana Adams, 26, had been employed by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department for nine months and was stationed at the Maryvale firehouse when she was dismissed in late 2024. The department cited a violation of its tattoo policy as the reason for her termination.
According to Mobile Fire-Rescue Department policy, visible tattoos are prohibited on the face and neck while in uniform. Adams maintains that the small tattoo—located at the lower rear portion of her scalp, typically covered by hair—was not on her neck and therefore did not violate the rule.
“I followed the policy to the letter,” Adams told local media in her first public comments since the firing. “The tattoo is on the back of my head, not my neck. I even showed them where it was placed, but they still decided it was a violation.”
Department officials have declined to comment on the specifics of Adams’ case, citing personnel privacy rules, but confirmed that all members are expected to adhere strictly to appearance standards.
Adams, who is exploring legal options, said the incident has left her devastated. “I worked hard to become a firefighter. It was my dream,” she said. “To lose it over something like this—especially when I believe I followed the rules—feels unfair.”
The case has drawn attention from some community advocates who question whether the policy was applied consistently. No formal complaint has been filed as of yet, but Adams says she is consulting with attorneys to determine her next steps.
Mobile Fire-Rescue Department has not indicated whether it plans to review or clarify its tattoo policy in light of the controversy.