A longtime FDNY official’s career has come to a sudden end after a summer “team-building” activity took a wrong turn.

Michele Maglione, 57, served nearly 20 years with the FDNY and led the department’s Youth Workforce Development program, according to the NY Post. But after she organized a “cotton-ball relay race” for mostly Black students at Brooklyn’s FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety, she ultimately resigned after being reprimanded.

The Aug. 21 incident happened during a summer leadership academy with about 35 kids. The game, traditionally a camp activity, involved smearing petroleum jelly on participants’ faces, tying their hands behind their backs, and having them carry cotton balls across the room. Maglione posted a video of the event online, showing students laughing and participating.

Not everyone found it harmless. FDNY recruiters who saw the clip reportedly complained to leadership, calling the exercise offensive given the history of slavery and cotton-picking.

“Once the Department became aware of the incident and social media post, we immediately modified her duty status and launched an investigation,” an FDNY spokeswoman said. “Based on this investigation, this individual was permanently removed from her position.”

Some defended Maglione’s character, saying, “It was poor judgment. I’ve known Michele for a long time. She’s a lovely person. She cares about those kids. It was an error in judgment, not an intentional act.”

Others, like former EMS Youth Academy participant Cara McCammon, claimed this was part of a pattern. She alleged that Maglione once told students, “You don’t belong here,” and called them “idiots.” 

McCammon continued: “It’s unfortunate that it took her using such an inappropriate event to reveal her true character to the world, but I’m glad that the truth is finally coming out,” pointing out that the incident deterred her from building a career as an EMT.

Mayor Eric Adams admonished the game, saying, “One should know the significance of picking cotton and putting it on their face.”

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos also called the behavior “insensitive.”