A Tallahassee law firm has been tasked with investigating firefighter allegations that “a toxic work environment” exists within the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District.
The department review by the firm of Allen Norton & Blue was authorized Thursday by the district’s five-member governing board.
It follows receipt of formal complaints lodged against Fire Chief Billy Lord and Assistant Chief Scott Funchess by at least four firefighters.
“The environment that I work in is extremely hostile as a result of their management leadership techniques and style,” Firefighter William Powell wrote in one of the letters. “I have repeatedly been bullied, tormented, harassed (and) called vulgar and disrespectful insulting names.”
Letters making similar allegations against Lord and Funchess have been filed by firefighters Matt Wendt, Christopher Brown and Lonnie Thomas. Thomas is the president of the local chapter of the Florida Professional Firefighters union.
A fifth complaint has also been filed, board members confirmed Thursday.