- April 17, 2024
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Two former Flagler Beach firefighters terminated early this year are filing a lawsuit against the city for wrongful termination.
Jacob Bissonnette and Shane Wood were accused in January of storing alcohol at the fire station and consuming it while off-duty in December. They were subsequently terminated from their positions of full-time firefighter and volunteer firefighter, respectively.
But the two say the accusations against were retaliatory, according to a preliminary complaint supplied to the Observer, which is expected to be filed sometime this week.
In December 2012, Wood and Bissonnette were asked to assist with an investigation into then-firefighter Robert Pace, who was suspected of falsifying community service timesheets for a convicted felon who was serving probationary community service at the fire station.
Wood and Bissonnette complied with the investigation.
“Subsequent to concluding their investigation, the plaintiffs were accused of wrongdoing by Pace regarding the possession of alcohol at the fire department and consumption of alcohol while off duty on Christmas Day,” the complaint reads.
The complaint alleges that Pace only accused Wood and Bissonnette because of their role in the investigation against him.
Criminal charges were later filed against Pace as a result of the investigation, although the State Attorney’s Office announced on July 25 that it will only pursue a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice against Pace for his actions. He was formerly accused of both a misdemeanor and a felony.
Bissonnette and Wood are suing the city for damages in excess of $15,000. They are also asking for reinstatement to their former positions, reinstatement of full fringe benefits and seniority rights, compensation for lost wages and benefits, compensation for damages to their reputations and ability o find other employment, and injunctive relief to prevent further retaliatory actions.
When the city fired Bissonnette and Wood in February, it fired three other fire department personnel for alcohol-related accusations.
The three others were then-Fire Chief Martin Roberts, who was accused of consuming alcohol before responding to an emergency call. Volunteer firefighters Steve Wood and Barbara Haspiel were also terminated for responding to that same call after consumer alcohol.
Six members of the fire department complained about Roberts’ conduct after he authorized the volunteers and himself to respond to the call after drinking. Campbell said at the time that these complaints demonstrated a lack of leadership in the department and highlighted the “discord” present within the department.
When Roberts was fired, the city appointed Pace to acting chief. But when the state announced that it would pursue a misdemeanor charge against Pace, he was placed on paid administrative leave until the matter is resolved in courts. Pace has a pretrial hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27.
At that point, the city tried to appoint Robert Creal as acting chief. He accepted the position and then withdrew his acceptance days later, citing health problems.
Now, Campbell will handle the administrative functions of the fire department. Three emergency medical technician/firefighters will lead shifts on a rotating basis.
Earlier this year, the Flagler Beach City Commission briefly considered and then decided against merging tis fire department with Flagler County Fire Rescue. At the time, commissioners said the department was improving under Pace's leadership.
