\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA reported hazing incident involving electric shocks at the St. Lucie County Fire District has resulted in the termination of three firefighters and the suspension of two others, prompting widespread debate and calls for reinstatement. Michael Jenkins, a 32-year veteran of the fire district, addressed the St. Lucie County Fire Board last week, voicing his support for the fired firefighters. “I have guys calling me from all over the country right now. I had a Navy SEAL I talked to yesterday. They want to come to the fire board meeting next time and speak in defense of these guys,” Jenkins said.The fire district released video footage showing firefighters administering electric shocks to newer employees, which they described as hazing. Two of the terminated firefighters, Chris Baldwin and Jordon Hutchinson, denied the allegations, claiming the actions were not hazing. “It’s about inclusion. It’s about bringing the family together. No one was hurt. No one was coerced into their involvement,” Baldwin said. Hutchinson agrees.”It was guys joking around at the station. There was no ill intent whatsoever in it. Every supposed victim and witness said the same thing,” Hutchinson added. The fire district’s lawyer, Kim Sabol presented a timeline of complaints that led to independent investigations over the past year and a half. “Starting in January of 2025, we received one, two, three, four complaints from January to June,” Sabol said.The fire chief followed the recommendations outlined in the investigation report. “Based on his findings and the tie into our rules and regulations and collective bargaining agreement, the discipline that was implemented we feel was appropriate in this case,” Sabol said. Jenkins argued that the situation has been misunderstood and pledged to continue advocating for the firefighters’ reinstatement. “I think this is a lot of miscommunications, a lot of stuff taken out of context. These are great guys. St. Lucie County doesn’t need this. Taxpayers don’t need this. We need to give them guys their jobs back,” Jenkins said. Union representatives are expected to address the matter later this week. Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
A reported hazing incident involving electric shocks at the St. Lucie County Fire District has resulted in the termination of three firefighters and the suspension of two others, prompting widespread debate and calls for reinstatement. <\/p>\n
Michael Jenkins, a 32-year veteran of the fire district, addressed the St. Lucie County Fire Board last week, voicing his support for the fired firefighters. <\/p>\n
“I have guys calling me from all over the country right now. I had a Navy SEAL I talked to yesterday. They want to come to the fire board meeting next time and speak in defense of these guys,” Jenkins said.<\/p>\n
The fire district released video footage showing firefighters administering electric shocks to newer employees, which they described as hazing. <\/p>\n
Two of the terminated firefighters, Chris Baldwin and Jordon Hutchinson denied the allegations, claiming the actions were not hazing. <\/p>\n
“It’s about inclusion. It’s about bringing the family together. No one was hurt. No one was coerced into their involvement,” Baldwin said. <\/p>\n
Hutchinson agrees.<\/p>\n
“It was guys joking around at the station. There was no ill intent whatsoever in it. Every supposed victim and witness said the same thing,” Hutchinson added. <\/p>\n
The fire district’s lawyer, Kim Sabol presented a timeline of complaints that led to independent investigations over the past year and a half. <\/p>\n
“Starting in January of 2025, we received one, two, three, four complaints from January to June,” Sabol said.<\/p>\n
The fire chief followed the recommendations outlined in the investigation report. <\/p>\n
“Based on his findings and the tie into our rules and regulations and collective bargaining agreement, the discipline that was implemented we feel was appropriate in this case,” Sabol said. <\/p>\n
Jenkins argued that the situation has been misunderstood and pledged to continue advocating for the firefighters’ reinstatement. <\/p>\n
“I think this is a lot of miscommunications, a lot of stuff taken out of context. These are great guys. St. Lucie County doesn’t need this. Taxpayers don’t need this. We need to give them guys their jobs back,” Jenkins said. <\/p>\n
Union representatives are expected to address the matter later this week. <\/p>\n
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n