ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Three St. Lucie County firefighters were terminated and two others suspended after an independent investigation found senior firefighters used a modified bug zapper to administer electric shocks to newer employees in what investigators described as hazing.
The investigation resulted in the termination of Jordon Hutchison, Christopher Baldwin and Douglas Boudrias, while Roberto “Rocky” Tapia and Kayla Gammie received 48-hour unpaid suspensions, according to findings released Saturday by the St. Lucie County Fire District.
District officials said administrators first learned of the incidents in March 2026 after receiving videos showing probationary and apprentice firefighters being shocked while on duty. The videos documented incidents that occurred in March and September 2024.
According to the investigation, the videos showed newer firefighters being questioned by senior personnel and shocked with a modified electrical device. In one instance, after receiving a shock, a firefighter can be heard yelling:
Oh f***!”
Investigators said other videos showed probationary firefighters being repeatedly shocked with the device while fellow firefighters watched.
The district hired outside attorney John “J.K.” Keller IV to conduct an independent review. After reviewing videos, photographs, witness statements and department policies, Keller concluded that probationary and apprentice firefighters were subjected to hazing by senior personnel and supervisors.
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Although several firefighters told investigators the participants agreed to take part, the outside attorney found that the incidents involved only junior employees and occurred in an environment where a significant power imbalance existed between senior firefighters and newer personnel.
The attorney’s finding found:
The totality of the conduct establishes, at minimum, a perception of a culture of hazing by senior District employees against junior/probationary District employees.”
The attorney concluded that Hutchison, Baldwin, Boudrias, Tapia and Gammie violated district policies. His report recommended termination for Hutchison, Baldwin and Boudrias and 48-hour unpaid suspensions for Tapia and Gammie, recommendations the district said it followed.
The attorney concluded that Hutchison, Baldwin, Boudrias, Tapia and Gammie violated district policies. His report recommended termination for Hutchison, Baldwin and Boudrias (SLCFD)
District officials also released a 2025 workplace culture review that raised concerns about Station 1A before the videos surfaced. Attorney Susan Gainey described the station as “an environment characterized by intense peer pressure, social exclusion, and inappropriate banter.” Her report also cited:
‘light hazing,’ ‘playing jokes,’ or ‘horseplay’ that blurs the line between camaraderie and misconduct.”
The investigation resulted in the termination of Jordon Hutchison, Christopher Baldwin and Douglas Boudrias, while Roberto “Rocky” Tapia and Kayla Gammie (pictured) received 48-hour unpaid suspensions, according to findings released Saturday by the St. Lucie County Fire District. (SLCFD)
Gainey wrote that the culture at the station had become so problematic that “at least one firefighter described being miserable” and considering leaving the district, while others reported:
actively avoiding bidding into that station.”
Read the full document here:
The district said the incidents were concealed from administration and remained unknown until the videos surfaced in 2026. Officials said the disciplined firefighters have since exercised their contractual right to pursue grievances and arbitration.