After a bug zapper hazing led to the firing of three firefighters, St. Lucie County’s fire board voted to terminate Chief Jeff Lee without cause, following a union no-confidence vote

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Fire District Board voted Oct. 21 to fire longtime Chief Jeff Lee, months after the district fired three firefighters over a hazing investigation.

The vote came after an emotional meeting filled with calls for change, less than two weeks after the firefighters’ union released the results of a no-confidence vote in the district’s top leaders, CBS 12 reported.

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The decision follows a hazing investigation that led to the firing of three veteran firefighters and the suspension of two others. Records state that district officials received videos showing senior firefighters using a modified bug zapper to shock subordinates during shifts in March and September 2024.

The district determined the conduct amounted to hazing, while the firefighters and their union have argued it was consensual horseplay.

A Fort Pierce Police Department investigation found no criminal violations, and the union is pursuing arbitration to reinstate the three firefighters.

The issue escalated into a no-confidence vote organized by the union. The union said 74% of the members voted that they no longer had confidence in Lee’s leadership.

Commissioners spent more than 30 minutes debating whether to fire Lee with or without cause, ultimately voting to terminate him without cause, which triggers the severance provisions in his contract.

The board then voted 4-3 to appoint Deputy Chief Paul Langel as interim chief while a search for a permanent replacement begins.

Where should departments draw the line between firehouse tradition and unacceptable workplace behavior? How should leaders respond when hazing allegations surface, even if police determine no crime occurred?

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