Ex-Clarksville, TN, Firefighters Claim Retaliation in Suit
Five firefighters alleging retaliation are suing the Clarksville fire chief and the city.
The IAFF Local 3180 and the terminated firefighters claim in the suit they were targeted by Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery Jr. and city officials after they spoke out.
Firefighters Bryan Birkes, Larayza Collins, James Musumeci, Summer Pasco and Joshua Stevens were among those who participated in a public campaign to bring attention to issues including high turnover, fatigue, low pay, recruitment and retention which affected public safety, WSMV reported.
The probationary firefighters were terminated two months later without cause. However, they believe it was tied to the campaign.
City policy allows the firing of probationary employees without appeals.
Some had received praise for their actions, according to the suit.
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Susan Nicol
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Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.