Kentucky Firefighters Speak Out About Alleged Alcohol Abuse

July 30, 2004
According to allegations, several Jessamine County firefighters threw parties at the fire station where people were getting intoxicated until the early morning hours.
A 27 NEWSFIRST investigation into allegations of firefighters working under the influence of alcohol.

Wednesday we told you why one Jessamine County Fire Board Member says the investigation was closed.

But now, after seeing our story, a volunteer firefighter, who asked us to protect his identity, says the story being told isn't true.

Fire board member Gary Sorrell told us the investigation was stopped because there wasn't enough evidence.

He said they only received three complaints and they were unsigned.

Sorrell thought they were probably from same person.

But one firefighter says there were dozens of reports and Gary Sorrell knew about them, but he didn't want the board to continue to investigate.

He says Sorrell found out his sons were being investigated and he tried to stop it the investigation.

The firefighter says Sorrell's two sons are also Jessamine County Volunteer Firefighters and Sorrell put pressure on fire board members to stop investigation.

This firefighter says Sorrell threatened them with a lawsuit.

The firefighter says at least five firefighters were accussed of being under the influence of alcohol on the job, including the Fire Chief, Mike Ruppard.

He says there are several accusations involving the Chief.

The firefighter says there is one where Chief Rupard got a guy drunk and then had him drive a fire truck.

He says Rupard also knew other firefighters were driving trucks impaired and showing up to scenes impaired and he didn't do anything about..and he says that's not all.

The firefighter says Rupard hosted parties at the fire station where people were getting intoxicated until the early morning hours.

The firefighter also said there is a lot of animosity between firefighters who have been accused of doing their job after drinking..and those who haven't.

And that some firefighters including himself have been threatened.

He says a statement was made that the water would be turned off while they were fighting fires.

Board member Gary Sorrell says quote, "There isn't any truth to these accusations."

We tried to contact Fire Chief Mike Rupard and our call wasn't returned.

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