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3 Florida Firefighters Terminated, 2 Suspended After Report Details Rookie Hazing

An outside investigation found hazing and policy violations, and the district said the disciplined firefighters are now challenging the penalties through grievance and arbitration.

  • On Saturday, the St. Lucie County Fire District terminated firefighter/paramedics Douglas Boudrias, Christopher Baldwin, and Jordon Hutchison, while suspending Roberto "Rocky" Tapia and Kayla Gammie for 48 hours following an independent hazing investigation.
  • Evidence revealed senior personnel "had engineered a custom-modified electrical shocking device, constructed from a dismantled bug zapper, to intentionally administer painful electrical shocks to subordinate personnel on duty" during shifts in March and September 2024.
  • Fire Chief Jeff Lee outsourced the investigation to attorney John "J.K." Keller after recognizing "extreme safety breaches in the footage," and Keller concluded probationary staff were subjected to hazing by a power imbalance that undermined any claimed consent.
  • A separate 2025 assessment by attorney Susan Gainey previously identified Station 1A as having an environment marked by "intense peer pressure," social exclusion, and "light hazing" that blurred the line between camaraderie and misconduct.
  • The disciplined employees have exercised their contractual rights to pursue grievances and arbitration, and the District stated it will present documented facts within that legal forum without providing further public comment.
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3 Florida firefighters terminated, 2 suspended after report details rookie hazing

Three Florida firefighters were terminated and two others suspended after an independent investigation determined senior firefighters were involved in hazing.

·Florida, United States
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TC PalmTC Palm
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Three firefighters in Florida fired over alleged hazing

Three St. Lucie County firefighters were fired and two suspended after an investigation into alleged hazing, fire district officials said.

·Treasure Island, United States
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3 St. Lucie firefighters terminated, 2 suspended after report details rookie hazing

Three St. Lucie County firefighters terminated and two others suspended after an independent investigation determined senior firefighters involved in hazing.

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St. Lucie County Fire District releases hazing investigation reports, 3 firefighters terminated

St. Lucie County Fire District releases hazing investigation reports detailing why 3 firefighters were terminated and 2 others suspended.

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3 fired, 2 suspended: Report details modified bug zapper used on rookie SLC firefighters

WPEC CBS 12 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for West Palm Beach and nearby towns and communities in South Florida including the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast, serving Stuart, Royal Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Belle Glade, Palm Beach, and Riviera Beach.

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WPEC broke the news on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
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