JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Firefighter fitness is a critical, ongoing job requirement. But the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department says some firefighters broke department rules by using a ladder truck to travel more than 20 miles out of the area to a Pilates class while on duty.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Action News Jax’s Ben Becker learned discipline was handed down after he started asking questions. Video of the firefighters on social media at the Pilates studio was also taken down after Action News Jax started its inquiries.
‘Taxpayer dollars’
Fire Station Number 4 in LaVilla is home to JFRD’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, considered among the best JFRD has to offer.
“I love my fire fighters they are so good to us,” Eileen Flynn, a resident who respects the city’s firefighters, said.
But Action News Jax discovered a social media post showing members of Fire Station 4 getting off a ladder truck for an exercise session at a Pilates studio in Jacksonville Beach, 21 miles and about 30 minutes outside their territory.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
“If I called them, I would expect them to be there not at a Pilates class,” Flynn said.
Action News Jax asked JFRD a series of questions about the incident.
JFRD said units were out of their area for about four hours. During that time, neighboring stations had to maintain coverage.
Sources told Action News Jax that an instructor at the Pilates studio is a JFRD engineer. The studio also has a location in San Marco, which is within Ladder 4’s assigned area.
‘Falls short’
A JFRD spokesperson said there are clear policies governing training and community-engagement activities, including when crews can leave their territory.
But the firefighters, as well as the officers and chief who authorized the Pilates excursion, were all counseled, according to JFRD’s answers to Action News Jax questions.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
The department said the goal of the counseling is to make sure the proper approval process is followed in the future.
“Using taxpayer dollars to go to Pilates class, come on,” resident KJ Lampkin said.
“Public trust matters to JFRD, and we take any decision to remove apparatus and personnel from their assigned territory without proper approval seriously. We understand this activity falls short of the standard the community expects from us,” said a spokesperson.
Previous controversy at Fire Station 4
If Fire Station Number 4 sounds familiar, it should.
Action News Jax first reported in January that four firefighters from the same station were arrested after firing paintball guns at JSO officers.
Charges were eventually dropped after the firefighters completed a diversion program.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
