Three firefighters were terminated Monday after an investigation found they verbally and physically abused a part-time firefighter. The allegations came to light in September; today the Orange Township trustees voted to accept the recommendations of investigators who said a firefighter, a lieutenant, and a captain should lose their jobs.
Terminated today were: Brad Belville, a firefighter/paramedic; Lt. David Martin; and Capt. John Hodges. The investigation found the abuse happened at Orange Township Fire Station 361 on Gooding Blvd.
The part-time firefighter, who we are not naming, requested a transfer from Station 361, which led to the investigation. Interviews with firefighters found “hazing and bullying was occurring against (the firefighter) by other firefighters,” according to investigation reports.