St. Lucie firefighters’ union speaks out following firings and suspensions
The St. Lucie County firefighters union is speaking out as five firefighters were disciplined for allegedly hazing their rookie coworkers. The union calls their actions “comradery building.”
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —
The St. Lucie County firefighters’ union is speaking out publicly for the first time since five firefighters were disciplined for alleged hazing.
The fire district said the firefighters accused used a modified bug zapper to administer electric shocks to newer employees.
“They were all willfully participating together; no one was coerced or pressured,” said Ryan Sapp, St. Lucie County Local 1377 president. “It was firefighters playing and joking with each other. That’s what it was, period.”
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The St. Lucie County firefighters union is speaking out as five firefighters were disciplined for allegedly hazing their rookie coworkers. The union calls their actions “comradery building.”
After an independent investigation, three firefighters were terminated and two others were suspended.
On Wednesday, WPBF spoke with two of the terminated firefighters. Both denied any wrongdoing, expressing that they just want their jobs back.
“Everyone a part of the videos, we’re all still friends to this day. It was just joking around,” said Doug Boudrias, one of the terminated firefighters.
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The incident comes after a series of previous complaints filed against the fire district that led to multiple independent investigations.
One of the investigations revealed that the department had a culture problem. Multiple firefighters were reassigned as a result.