Allegations of hazing, including shocking newer colleagues, has led to the firinings of three firefighters and suspensions of two others in St. Lucie County.

The actions came after investigators determined senior firefighters used a modified bug zapper to deliver electrical shocks to co-workers with less time on the department.

“It’s about inclusion. It’s about bringing the family together. No one was hurt. No one was coerced into their involvement,” ex-Firefighter Chris Baldwin, told WPBF.

Likewise, former Firefighter Jordon Hutchinson added: “It was guys joking around at the station. There was no ill intent whatsoever in it. Every supposed victim and witness said the same thing."

Firefighter Douglas Boudrias also was terminated while Firefighters Roberto "Rocky" Tapia and Kayla Gammie received 48-hour unpaid suspensions, according to a department statement released Saturday evening.

Their union has vowed to fight to get the firefighters back on the job, claiming they were wrongfully terminated.

Hutchinson and Baldwin believe their terminations were not related to hazing but were acts of retaliation.

The three fired had a previous history of hazing, reports indicated. 

After a 2025 probe of bullying and harassment, firefighters were transfered to other stations. None were disciplined.

Afterward, the trio filed three separate complaints against top administrators, including the fire chief. They told a reporter this weekend they believed they were fired as payback.

In March 2026, administrators received videos recorded in 2024 that allegedly showed senior personnel using a device to "intentionally administer painful electrical shocks to subordinate personnel on duty."

“All three of us still love this job. Nobody is going to change our minds on that. We definitely want our jobs back and keep our jobs and serve the citizens of the county,” Hutchinson said.

When the new allegations came to light, the city hired an outside firm to investigate. They wrote in a report that witnesses, including 
current and former 1A members, described behaviors such as: 

• Overly aggressive banter, mockery, sarcasm, and personal questioning 
unrelated to job performance, including 1A firefighters asking recruits in 
front of a group about drug usage. 
• Mocking or public correction of apprentices, which some described as 
humiliating or going “overboard.” 
• “Light hazing,” “playing jokes,” or “horseplay” that blurs the line between 
camaraderie and misconduct.  One employee noted that such behavior 
would not be accepted at other stations. 
• A sentiment among multiple firefighters that certain individuals were “not 
welcome” unless conforming to unspoken social norms. 
• An environment that is “cliquish” such that new employees or employees on short-term assignments do not feel part of the team and may feel isolated. 
• More than one employee stated that 1A is composed of “cowboys” who “do 
their own thing.”  One employee stated that he was told by someone from 1A 
that they “did things their way, not the department way,” suggesting that 
they do not follow District policies and procedures.  
• Multiple employees stated that the workplace culture at 1A was not inclusive. 
• Firefighters had requested transfers or expressed discomfort due to the 1A 
environment. 
• One firefighter stated that the environment at 1A “made it tough to come to 
work.” 
• Loyalty among existing crew members can result in the informal exclusion 
of newcomers. 
• One firefighter reported there appeared to be favoritism or bias in 
advancement at 1A.