W.Va. Dispatchers Fired for Christmas Eve Message

Jan. 16, 2014
The Grant County men waited until all units were clear before delivering their Christmas greeting.

A Christmas message broadcast over a West Virginia emergency operations channel has left two dispatchers without a job.

Grant County dispatchers Hunter Whetzel and Jared Alt who are paying for their Christian-themed story, say they plan to fight their dismissals, according to W.Va. Metro News.com.

Alt told the media the message was about the real meaning of Christmas, and focused on the birth of Jesus Christ.

The dispatchers said they waited until all emergency crews were in service, and not out on calls before they keyed the mic with their greeting. 

A video regarding the incident has been removed from the Internet. 

The dispatchers said men they were fired for insubordination and violation of FCC regulations regarding public safety frequency usage. But, both are appealing.

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