Firefighters quit after bar shift

Three Nashville firefighters lost their jobs this week after a bartender reported them drinking alcohol while on duty. The incident occurred just after midnight on Monday at a bar on Broadway. Police records show the men were in uniform and carrying department radios when they ordered two vodka Red Bulls and a water.

The three officers identified in the report are Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter, and Daniel Wrenn. They wore Nashville Fire Department T-shirts during the visit. When police arrived, the men confirmed they were working but denied consuming the drinks inside the establishment. The bartender provided a receipt signed by one of the firefighters for the mixed drinks. She stated she did not personally see them drink, but the signature on the receipt served as proof of purchase.

A fire commander arrived at the scene shortly after the police report was filed. He placed the three men on administrative duty on the spot. They remained on leave until they formally resigned on Wednesday. The department has not confirmed whether the internal investigation is still active following their departures.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell is pushing for stricter standards within city agencies. He spoke with Fire Chief William Swann to discuss the incident. O’Connell said the department is applying a zero-tolerance policy. He emphasized the need for regular retraining to keep all personnel aligned with department rules. He noted that the department is working to maintain public trust.

This event follows a recent death in the department. A firefighter was found unresponsive at his station with drug paraphernalia nearby. An autopsy determined that cocaine toxicity caused his death. The mayor said he is collaborating with the firefighter union, IAFF Local 140, to address these issues. The union has not issued a comment on the current resignations.

The fire department stated in a written response that it is aware of the incident. It described the event as a personnel matter and declined to share specific details. A department spokesperson did not provide a copy of the employee conduct rules. The department said it holds all staff to high standards of professionalism and accountability.

The bar manager said staff are trying to gather video footage from the night to provide more context. The department said it will address actions that compromise its standards accordingly. The men are no longer on the active roster as of Wednesday.