Florida Firefighter Terminated Over Off-Duty Altercation

Posted by: Curt Varone October 24, 2016 3 Comments

A Largo firefighter who reportedly crashed a wedding reception Saturday evening, has been terminated. Joshua Willard, 34, was terminated just three weeks into his employment with the Largo Fire Department.

According to ABCActionNews, Willard and a friend got into an altercation at a wedding reception to which they were not invited. Willard denies the allegations but admitted he blacked out due to alcohol and does not remember what occurred.

Willard was quoted as saying “It’s really not fair that someone can make a statement and based on that statement, my career got ruined.” Largo was his fourth fire service job since 2011. Here is a link to ABCActionNews, who has in depth coverage including a video interview with Willard [which I was not able to embed here].

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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