An investigation uncovered an alleged frat house environment at a Columbia (SC) Fire Department station at which five firefighters were recently fired, reports thestate.com.
The crew members were fired earlier this year—for, among other things, nudity, rough-housing, and “inappropriate touching,” FirefighterNation reported in June—following an investigation into Station 8, at 933 Atlas Rd.
The investigation found that the conduct may have been occurring for as long as six to eight months prior to coming to light, the report says, though it alleges that station leadership permitted the actions.
In addition to a firefighter who walked off the job, numerous other Station 8 employees requested a transfer due to the allegations, the report says.
Fire officials conducted 29 interviews during the investigation, the report says. The report says the five dismissed employees were Battalion Chief Christopher Gates, Capt. Brandon Cook, Capt. Jason McIntyre, Fire Engineer Dustin Ailes, and Senior Firefighter Patrick Humphries.
Officials say there haven’t been any further reports of inappropriate activity at Station 8.
