Discussion on Hazing Discipline in St. Lucie County, FL, May be Coming
Shocking rookie firefighters with a modified bug zapper was 'comradery building' not hazing.
That's how St. Lucie County Local 1377 President Ryan Sapp described an incident that led to the termination of three firefighters and suspensions of two others.
"I am happy to to actually tell you today that we have been reached out to by admin, and they would like to come to some kind of conclusion and work together with some kind of reasonable compromise at the end," Sapp told WPTV Wednesday, adding the department doesn't want to go to court.
Fire Chief Jeff Lee declined an on-camera interview, because of pending legal proceedings.
Firefighters Jordan Hutchinson, Doug Boudrias and Christopher Baldwin were terminated after an indepdent investigation showed how the supervisors treated rookies. Two others involved were suspended.
The firefighters' union and the three men said the punishment went too far.
"It was just us in our downtime, joking around, having fun," Hutchinson said..
Boudrias and Hutchinson said they believed it was consensual and were devastated when they were terminated.
"I have five kids. Doug's got two, and Chris got three. So, it's been a lot on them. We never wanted to lose our jobs," Hutchinson said.
Sapp explained the firehouse culture: "This is not hazing whatsoever, hands down. This is joking around, having fun at the station."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
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.