By FireRescue1 Staff
HOUSTON — Five part-time firefighters were terminated this week after a Snapchat video showing a firefighter strapped to a backboard and being doused with water surfaced this week.
The five-minute video was sent to Click 2 Houston by a concerned viewer. Westfield Fire Chief Stephen Whitehead said the firefighter strapped on the board had just gotten off rookie status.
In the video, firefighters doused the strapped firefighter with water from the rear valve of a tanker truck and are seen pouring various condiments — including mustard, flour, chocolate, yogurt and ice — on the firefighter.
Chief Whitehead launched an internal investigation after watching the video. “It’s totally unacceptable,” he said. “I mean, that’s dangerous, you could injure him. I’ve never seen that degree of hazing before, or harassment, never.”
One volunteer firefighter was also suspended indefinitely.