An independent investigation found senior St. Lucie County firefighters used a modified bug zapper to shock new firefighters

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — Three St. Lucie County firefighters were fired and two others were suspended after an independent investigation found senior firefighters used a modified bug zapper to shock newer employees in what investigators concluded was a hazing ritual.

Jordon Hutchinson, Christopher Baldwin and Douglas Boudrias were terminated; and Roberto Tapia and Kayla Gammie received 48-hour unpaid suspensions, WPBF reported, according to findings released by the St. Lucie County Fire District.

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Investigators found that Hutchinson, Baldwin and Boudrias, who served as acting supervisors at various times, used the modified device on junior firefighters under their supervision. The three were also accused of bullying and harassment.

“Following recent public inquiries and one-sided local media reporting, the St. Lucie County Fire District is releasing the definitive record of facts surrounding recent personnel reassignments, workplace misconduct investigations, and subsequent disciplinary determinations,” the department said. “The purpose of this disclosure is to ensure public clarity, protect employee safety, and uphold the integrity of District operations.”

In March, district officials received videos showing senior firefighters using a modified bug zapper to shock subordinates during shifts in March and September 2024.

In 2025, several employees, including three of those disciplined, were named in a workplace bullying and harassment complaint.

The allegations could not be substantiated without on-the-record testimony, so no one was disciplined. Instead, the district reassigned crews to improve the workplace environment.

After the videos surfaced in March, Fire Chief Jeff Lee ordered an independent investigation, citing the seriousness of the safety violations and the need to avoid any appearance of bias or retaliation. The district retained attorney J.K. Keller of Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A., to review the footage and conduct the investigation.

Keller recommended reporting the case to law enforcement and the Florida Department of Health, and launching a formal administrative investigation.

The independent investigator concluded that senior firefighters and supervisors hazed probationary and apprentice employees. Based on those findings, the district terminated three employees and suspended two others.

The report described a cliquish and unwelcoming station culture marked by mockery, aggressive banter, hazing and public humiliation of recruits. Employees also reported favoritism, the isolation of newcomers, discomfort with the work environment and a belief that some crew members followed their own practices rather than district policies.

The firefighters’ union has filed for arbitration seeking to have the terminated employees reinstated.

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