ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — Videos and photos tied to the firing of three St. Lucie County firefighters and the suspension of two others have been publicly released.
Fire officials said senior personnel and supervisors hazed apprentice firefighters, while the union has challenged the discipline and called the terminations wrongful, WPTV reported.
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Video released in the case shows a modified bug zapper being used to shock three apprentice firefighters on duty in 2024. Another video shows firefighters being doused with water and a dead raccoon placed inside a fire vehicle.
In a statement released over the weekend, Fire Chief Jeff Lee said the three firefighters were subjected to hazing by senior personnel and supervisors.
Lee said the reassignments prompted a dozen complaints against him with three state agencies, all of which were dismissed.
A Fort Pierce police investigation obtained by WPTV concluded there was no criminal conduct related to the alleged hazing.
At a mid July fire board meeting, IAFF Local 1377 Vice President Matt Coney said the union believes the terminations and disciplinary actions were wrongful and is seeking arbitration for the five firefighters.
“If you haven’t seen the videos, please take the time to look,” Coney said. “This is an extraordinarily frivolous situation that does not need to be before you guys or even on the fire chief’s desk.”
Where should departments draw the line between firehouse tradition and unacceptable workplace behavior? How should leaders respond when hazing allegations surface, even if police determine no crime occurred?
