Garland Firefighter's Association Confirms Hazing Incident
GARLAND (1080 KRLD) – The head of the Garland Firefighter's Association is confirming a report that a rookie firefighter was chased, sprayed with hoses and duct taped to a back board back in February inside a fire station.
Paul Heneley says it was not the rookie firefighter, but someone else who reported the incident to higher-ups. The firefighter was reportedly put under a pipe while he was strapped to the backboard.
Henley says the association immediately got involved in the investigation because all the firefighters in question are members. Fire Chief Raymond Knight, who has been head of the department since April, decided to suspend three firefighters involved for three days.
"Two have served their suspensions and two are yet to be served," Henley said. In addition to the three firefighters, a captain who was the shift supervisor at the time will also serve a suspension.
Henley is happy with the outcome of the investigation.
"From the administrative standpoint they were very good in being as transparent as possible with the association so those guys could know what rights they have and be represented to the fullest extent that they could," Henley said.
