A captain with Polk County Fire and Rescue is under internal investigation for fighting a house fire earlier this month in North Lakeland while he was off duty.
A complaint has been filed against firefighter Jay Schwartz, who is also union president of the Polk County IAFF Local 3531, county officials said.
“There are allegations against him working at a scene while he was off duty,” said Joe Halman, deputy county manager. “Once we get all the facts we’ll determine if there were any violations of policy.” Halman declined to release additional details about the investigation, citing its ongoing nature.
Schwartz, who did not return a phone message, can be seen in a video provided to The Ledger fighting a house fire on West Daughtery Road on April 4.
Schwartz, who isn’t wearing any protective gear, picks up a hose once the fire truck arrives and begins spraying a burning house at 704 W. Daughtery Road.