Florida Firefighter Terminated Over Off-Duty Altercation
A Largo firefighter who reportedly crashed a wedding reception Saturday evening, has been terminated. Joshua Willard, 34, was terminated just three weeks into his employment with the Largo Fire Department.
According to ABCActionNews, Willard and a friend got into an altercation at a wedding reception to which they were not invited. Willard denies the allegations but admitted he blacked out due to alcohol and does not remember what occurred.
Willard was quoted as saying “It’s really not fair that someone can make a statement and based on that statement, my career got ruined.” Largo was his fourth fire service job since 2011. Here is a link to ABCActionNews, who has in depth coverage including a video interview with Willard [which I was not able to embed here].
Dude, if you have that much of a problem with alcohol, maybe should you quit drinking, and find an AA chapter. And certainly find yourself another career. I mean, really, FOUR FDs in FIVE years??
Mr 618
I agree with you.
If he had had some success in his moves from: firefighter to engineer to Lieutenant in that time frame, I can see the benefit.
But as you mention, it’s he has an alcohol problem and in the next should not be in the fire service.
That’s one thing Right to work Stares have, an easier way to dismiss a “bad”
Employee, without too much formality.
And now, two firefighters from my own FPD, ended up in an altercation at a Charity event, with a Police Officer, after the use of alcohol.
If they get sent packing, that’s on them. On or off duty they represent my
FPD, one in which 30 years ago I tested for a few times.
The “Backdraft” generation.
One too many showings of the McCaffrey brothers fighting at a retirement banquet.
What was “Opie” Ron Howard ( director) thinking?