MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Six more Marion County Fire Rescue employees have been fired in connection with an alleged violent hazing incident at a fire station, raising the total number of terminations in the case to 10, county officials said.
All personnel on duty at Fire Station 21 during the alleged incident have now been dismissed. Three firefighters and one paramedic were previously fired and arrested in late November and face criminal charges, FOX 35 reported.
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Authorities say a 19-year-old firefighter was allegedly assaulted, restrained, whipped and waterboarded during the incident. The four first responders who were fired in November face charges including kidnapping, robbery and battery.
Fire Chief James Banta said the department opened an internal investigation after the arrests, leading to further administrative action, while two other employees were cleared to return to work. He said the alleged conduct is unacceptable and does not reflect the department’s values or mission.
County officials said the firings are part of a push to improve workplace culture and ensure misconduct is reported, while Chief James Banta said the department is focused on prevention and rebuilding public trust. The four first responders charged in the case have been released from jail and are due back in court.
WATCH | Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese discuss this incident on The Brief: Wellness Edition
