Florida Lieutenant Alleges Her Termination Was Gender and Age Discrimination

A Florida fire lieutenant who was fired last year has filed suit in federal court alleging gender and age discrimination. Lieutenant Susanne Severson was fired by the Ponce Inlet Fire Department after two firearm-related incidents were brought to the attention of the department’s leadership.

Lt. Severson, 49, was a police officer prior to joining the Ponce Inlet Fire Department in 2004. She cooperated with the investigation into the incidents and was the only one fired despite the involvement of several younger male firefighters. The incidents as explained in the complaint are as follows:

  • Sometime in February or March of 2022 some photographs from late 2009, published to various social media accounts in early 2010, were made available to the Town which showed Ms. Severson along with Mike Young, Lieutenant Derek George and non-Fire Department employee Jeff Miller holding rifles on Town property.
  • By the time these photographs became available, Derek George had already been terminated.
  • At the time the photographs were taken Derek George was a lieutenant and Ms. Severson was his subordinate.
  • In 2010 the photographs were published to social media including to Mr. Miller’s Facebook.
  • During this time, it came to light that Fire fighter Raymond Reneker had sold a gun to Ms. Severson five years prior (2017) while she was a lieutenant.
  • The Town opened an internal affairs investigation against Mr. Young, and Mr. Miller for the conduct depicted in the photograph, against Ms. Severson for the conduct depicted in the photograph and for the purchase of the gun from Mr. Reneker, and against Mr. Reneker for the sale of the gun to Ms. Severson.
  • Ms. Severson, the only female in the group, and one of the oldest among the Fire fighters was the only one to get fired.
  • While Ms. Severson received the strongest penalty (termination) Mr. Young and Mr. Miller were given a 5-day suspension for the very same conduct.
  • Mr. Reneker who had over 5 years of experience in the fire department and is around 10 years younger than Ms. Severson, had a DUI arrest record, and previously battered Port Orange Fire Department transport crew, only received a written reprimand and was later promoted.
  • The Town has a progressive discipline policy which it followed with the male employees but not with Ms. Severson.

The suit alleges a gender-based violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (both federal claims) and gender discrimination and age discrimination under Florida state law. She is seeking reinstatement, damages and attorney’s fees.

Here is a copy of the complaint.

September 30, 2024 – UPDATE:


Ponce Inlet paramedic was investigated, accused of killing his patients – Florida Politics

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

Third Reverse Discrimination Suit in KCMO Settled for $850k: Total is $1.5 Million

Kansas City, Missouri has agreed to settle the third of three reverse discrimination suits related to the 2022 promotion of a black captain to deputy chief. The suits were brought by three white battalion chiefs who claim they were wrongfully passed over on account of their race.

FDNY Settles FLSA Overtime Suit for $4.3 Million

The city of New York has agreed to settle the FLSA overtime claims of 326 fire inspectors for a grand total of $4.3 million. The lawsuit was filed last year by 26 original plaintiffs who alleged they were not compensated for all hours worked; their overtime was paid on an amount less than their regular rate; and the city failed to pay overtime in a timely manner.