Deposition reveals why a St. Lucie County firefighter came forward with alleged hazing videos
A St. Lucie County firefighter who shared videos of alleged hazing with the fire district says he was assured anonymity, but his identity was revealed, leading to concerns about retaliation
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —
A St. Lucie County firefighter says his promised anonymity was not upheld after he shared videos of alleged hazing that resulted in three terminations and two suspensions within the fire district.
In a deposition conducted by independent investigator J.K. Keller, the firefighter explained why he decided to come forward with the videos. “I was told that it would be anonymous, and I would stay out of it,” the firefighter said.
WPBF is not identifying the firefighter in the audio recording because he was not fired.
The videos reportedly show firefighters at Station 1A using a modified bug zapper to administer electric shocks to newer employees. “I think it was used on me once. I was walking, and someone got me in the back,” the firefighter said during the deposition.
The firefighter cited two reasons for sharing the videos. “I did it for two reasons. One of them was, obviously, you watch it and [expletive] goes too far sometimes. And there’s a stigma here, so you don’t want to say [expletive]. That’s pretty much what it is. … And then the other thing was, the guys were in a jam.”
Despite assurances of confidentiality, the firefighter expressed frustration, saying, “If it wasn’t anonymous, I wouldn’t have done this, so you put me in a tough spot.” He also voiced concerns about retaliation, stating, “I feel like I got back-doored here.”
During the deposition, the firefighter identified many of the individuals in the videos as those who were disciplined. When asked by Keller whose idea it was to engage in the hazing, the firefighter responded, “I don’t know, I was just there.”
Two of the terminated firefighters, Jordon Hutchinson and Doug Boudrias, defended their actions to WPBF on Wednesday, calling the videos “comradery-building.”
The union president on Wednesday said he has been communicating with the district chief and is working to ultimately get the terminated firefighters their jobs again, while avoiding a long-term court battle.
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