A disturbing incident captured on video has resulted in a Long Island fire chief being stripped of his duties after he was recorded shouting profanities at a distressed 10-year-old girl. The confrontation occurred as the child was being loaded into an ambulance during an emergency response in West Babylon.

According to the New York Post, North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt, a 22-year veteran of the volunteer fire company, was caught on camera Monday night telling the child to "shut the f–k up" while she was strapped to a stretcher. The viral TikTok video has sparked widespread outrage and prompted an official investigation.

The North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company confirmed in a Tuesday statement that Alt has been relieved of his duties while they review the incident. The fire company explicitly stated they "do not condone this behavior and deem it unacceptable," emphasizing that they are examining all training protocols and procedures in response.

Family's Shock and Community Outrage Over Treatment

The girl's grandmother expressed devastation over how her granddaughter was treated during the emergency call. She told NBC New York that the family had called for assistance after the child became emotionally distressed when her mother took away her phone.

The grandmother, who remained anonymous, emphasized that first responders should provide help, not mistreatment. She stated that while the family had previously called emergency services to help with the child, responders had always been understanding and professional in past incidents.

Neighbor Mark Simms voiced concern about Alt's unprofessional behavior, noting that police had responded to calls about the child previously but had never treated her inappropriately. He described the community as disturbed by the chief's handling of the emotionally distressed child.

Video Details Shocking Verbal Exchange

In the video that quickly went viral on TikTok, Chief Alt can be heard yelling at the child, "Shut the f–k up! It's like this with you every f–king week!" as she's being loaded into the ambulance. The clearly distressed girl responds by saying she wants to go home, to which Alt angrily demands she "shut your mouth."

The incident took place after the girl's family had called for emergency assistance to help calm the child down. A concerned neighbor recorded the exchange, documenting Alt's inappropriate behavior toward the young girl during what should have been a supportive emergency response.

The TikTok video shows other responders present during the incident, prompting many commenters to question why no one intervened when Alt began berating the child. The recording ends as the ambulance doors close with Alt still muttering.

Official Response and Administrative Action

Town of Babylon officials released a statement on Facebook condemning Alt's actions as "appalling" and "completely at odds with the standards of dignity, respect, and professionalism our residents deserve." They expressed support for the investigation and the decision to relieve Alt of his duties.

The official statement emphasized expectations for a full and transparent review, along with "meaningful steps to strengthen training, policies, and oversight to ensure this does not happen again." Town officials made clear there is "no place in our town for behavior that disrespects or harms the public — especially when it involves a young person or child."

The North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company announced they are conducting a comprehensive review of their training and policies in response to the incident. They specifically mentioned examining procedures related to responding to emergency calls involving children and emotionally distressed individuals.

Why this story matters

This story underscores the urgent need for improved training and oversight of emergency personnel who serve vulnerable members of the public. It brings attention to how children in distress should be treated with care, not hostility.

The community’s unified condemnation also sends a clear message that such behavior from trusted public servants will not be tolerated. As this investigation continues, it may offer a critical opportunity for reform within volunteer emergency response systems and contribute to discussions about mental health responses, especially involving youth.

Conclusion

Peter Alt, the North Babylon fire chief, is under investigation after a widely shared video showed him yelling obscenities at a 10-year-old girl during an emergency call in West Babylon. The child was reported to be emotionally distressed when responders arrived, and Alt’s behavior was condemned by the fire department and town officials. He has since been suspended, and a full review of fire company policies and training has been launched. The community and officials alike are demanding more seriousness in how young individuals in crisis are treated and accountability for those entrusted to serve them.