Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A Jackson County, Florida fire captain was demoted on December 7, 2010 after he admitted to racing his personal car against another firefighter while on duty. Former captain Dennis Robinson waived his right to a hearing on the matter, and voluntarily accepted the demotion.
Robinson raced his Ford Mustang against another Mustang owned by firefighter Angel Guzman on November 27, 2010. The race was videotaped by two other firefighters who were in attendance. The race was to intended to settle a friendly dispute over whose car was faster. The race took place at “a concrete area by the [Marianna] airport away from the road, traffic, or any structures.”
Guzman, who was off duty at the time, was not disciplined but received a “letter of counseling”. The two other firefighters, Kyle Horton and Keith Maddox, also received warning letters for engaging in activity “unsanctioned by the department.” Horton was off duty, but Maddox was on duty at the time.
Guzman’s car won.
