The St. Lucie County Fire District has terminated three firefighter-paramedics and suspended two others following an outside investigation into the use of a modified bug zapper to shock probationary and apprentice firefighters back in 2024.

Firefighter/Paramedics Douglas Boudrias, Christopher Baldwin and Jordon Hutchison were terminated. Firefighter/Paramedics Roberto “Rocky” Tapia and Kayla Gammie received 48-hour unpaid suspensions.

The incidents occurred at Station 1 two years ago during shifts in March and September 2024 but were not disclosed to the district administration until March 2026, when Firefighter/Paramedic Tapia provided videos and photographs to Assistant Chief Brian Gonzalez.

Assistant Chief Gonzalez notified Fire Chief Jeff Lee, who retained an outside attorney to conduct an independent investigation. Attorney John Keller reviewed the recordings, photographs, station rosters, the collective bargaining agreement, the district rules and regulations, and interviewed 12 district employees.

The videos showed a device made from a dismantled bug zapper that had been modified to deliver an electrical shock through two metal contacts. According to the investigative report, the device belonged to Firefighter/Paramedic Hutchison, who had modified it with the assistance of an unidentified EMT student with electrical experience.

One series of videos showed then-Paramedic Apprentice Matthew Lohse seated in a chair while Firefighter/Paramedics Hutchison, Baldwin, Boudrias and Gammie questioned him about paramedic matters. Firefighter/Paramedic Lohse was shocked when he answered incorrectly.

After one shock, Firefighter/Paramedic Lohse yelled, “Oh fuck!” and then said, “Damn!” He later moved the contacts from his thigh to his arm, stating, “I’m going back to the arm, dude; fuck the leg.”

The incident occurred on March 22, 2024, after Firefighter/Paramedic Lohse learned that he had not successfully completed his paramedic apprenticeship and would have to repeat it. He had been employed by the district for less than one year.

Separate videos recorded on September 6, 2024, showed then-Paramedic Apprentice Kyle Kirkham and then-probationary Firefighter John Edmondson being shocked with the device.

The video involving Firefighter/Paramedic Kirkham showed another person applying the contacts to his arm several times. His arm and hand appeared to twitch as he yelled in response to the shocks. Firefighter/Paramedic Baldwin could be heard saying, “Let me give him the bridge,” to which Firefighter/Paramedic Kirkham replied, “I don’t want to cross no bridge.”

In another video, Firefighter/Paramedic Hutchison applied the device to Firefighter/Paramedic Edmondson’s hand while Firefighter/Paramedic Tapia said, “Don’t bitch up, John! Don’t bitch up!”

Firefighter/Paramedics Lohse, Kirkham and Edmondson told Keller that they consented to being shocked. Other witnesses also characterized the conduct as consensual. Keller nevertheless concluded that the claimed consent was undermined by the disparity in authority and seniority between the participants.

Keller noted that the recorded uses of the device involved only probationary or apprentice employees; that Firefighter/Paramedics Hutchison, Baldwin and Boudrias were acting supervisors at various times; and that there was no comparable evidence showing senior employees being seated, questioned and shocked for incorrect answers.

The report states:

• Even disregarding the circumstances and power disparity, and assuming it is true that Lohse, Edmondson, and Kirkham were truly voluntary participants, these actions still violated SLCFD policy.

Keller concluded by a preponderance of the evidence that all five investigated employees violated district rules requiring employees to avoid conduct that discredits the district and to treat one another with courtesy and respect. He also found violations of two Group III offenses addressing improper conduct and workplace violence. Group III offenses permit discipline up to and including termination for a first offense.

For purposes of the investigation, Keller relied on the definition of hazing contained in section 1006.63 of the Florida Statutes. Although the statute applies to hazing in educational settings, Keller considered its definition instructive. He concluded that “the totality of the conduct establishes, at minimum, a perception of a culture of hazing by senior District employees against junior/probationary District employees.”

Keller recommended termination for Firefighter/Paramedics Boudrias, Baldwin and Hutchison based on their roles in the incidents, their supervisory responsibilities and their failure to accept responsibility during the investigation.

The report identified Firefighter/Paramedic Hutchison as an instigator, the owner of the device and the person who appeared to control the shocks. Firefighter/Paramedic Baldwin was identified by several witnesses as an instigator and was shown questioning Firefighter/Paramedic Lohse. Firefighter/Paramedic Boudrias was found to have participated while serving in an acting supervisory capacity.

Keller recommended 48-hour unpaid suspensions for Firefighter/Paramedics Tapia and Gammie. Firefighter/Paramedic Tapia participated in and recorded the incidents, but his eventual disclosure of the videos was treated as a mitigating factor. Firefighter/Paramedic Gammie participated in questioning Firefighter/Paramedic Lohse but was not accused of constructing or operating the device, and she acknowledged that her conduct violated district policy.

Keller also recommended referring to matter to law enforcement. It is not clear who actually referred to matter to the Fort Pierce Police Department, but a press release issued by the Professional Firefighters & Paramedics of St. Lucie County, IAFF Local 1377, reported the police characterized the incident as “coworkers entertaining each other,” and declined to file charges. In a press release issued July 19, 2026, the Local 1377 disputed the district’s findings and demanded arbitration on behalf of the three terminated and two suspended employees.

Quoting from the press release:

• As to the Fire District’s investigation of the incidents for which it used an outside law firm to conduct, it is the Local’s opinion, supported by its legal counsel, that the investigation was not conducted in an impartial or unbiased manner.
• The nature of the questions asked, as well as the way in which they were asked or not asked, reflects a predetermined conclusion rather than an objective fact-finding process.
• Interestingly, the law firm that conducted the investigation is now the same law firm the Fire District as hired to represent it at arbitration.

Although not mentioned by the union, the Keller report does not identify or analyze the terminated employees’ prior disciplinary histories, which seems odd given the severity of the penalty recommended.

The district also released a July 2025 workplace-culture assessment prepared by Attorney Susan Gainey following an earlier harassment and bullying complaint involving Station 1. Although that investigation did not substantiate policy violations, witnesses described “an environment characterized by intense peer pressure, social exclusion, and inappropriate banter.”

The assessment referred to “‘light hazing,’ ‘playing jokes,’ or ‘horseplay’ that blurs the line between camaraderie and misconduct.” It also reported that firefighters had requested transfers, avoided bidding into the station or considered leaving the district because of the workplace environment.

Here are copies of the district and local’s media documents.