3 firefighters resign after drinking at a bar while on duty, police reports says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Three Nashville firefighters have resigned after they were seen ordering drinks at a Broadway bar while on duty, according to a police report.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell is calling for accountability after the incident happened around midnight on Monday night.

The police report said officers were called by the manager at Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row when a bartender reported she was concerned they were drinking alcohol on duty.

It identifies the three firefighters as Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter and Daniel Wrenn. They were wearing Nashville Fire Department T-shirts and carrying bright yellow radios while at the bar, police said.

Police report outlines reported bar visit

When police approached the firefighters, they told officers they were on duty but all denied drinking alcohol inside Whiskey Row, according to the report.

Officers continued to interview the bartender who served the group and other bar staff. They said the three ordered two vodka-Red Bulls and a water just after midnight.

While the bartender said she did not personally see the firefighters drink the alcoholic beverages, she provided officers with a receipt signed by one of them for the mixed drinks.

Police said they notified the area’s fire commander, who came to the scene and immediately placed the three on administrative duty.

The bar’s manager said they were working to obtain video footage to provide additional context.

Fire department launches investigation

The firefighters were placed on administrative leave before they resigned on Wednesday. It’s not clear if the internal investigation is still ongoing after their resignations.

The Nashville Fire Department simply said it was aware of an incident involving three employees, but would not release details of what happened or the names and positions of the firefighters.

The department said it would not provide any additional information because this is a personnel matter. A spokesperson did not respond to requests for a copy of the NFD employee rules and regulations for firefighter conduct.

“The Nashville Fire Department holds all personnel to the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and conduct,” the department said in a statement. “Actions that compromise those standards are taken seriously and addressed accordingly.”

Mayor calls for accountability

The incident on Broadway comes just months after a firefighter was found unresponsive at his station with drug paraphernalia. The autopsy report said he died from cocaine toxicity.

O’Connell said he talked with Chief William Swann and was speaking with other leaders to make sure people know it is not acceptable for Metro employees to drink or do drugs on the job.

“I think (Swann) has demonstrated, within the fire department, that there is a zero-tolerance approach to this,” O’Connell said. “They are delivering internal accountability. But, I think also, what I am looking for is the assurance that we are doing the appropriate amount of retraining updates to ensure that all personnel are there.”

O’Connell said he is also working with the firefighter union, IAFF Local 140, to hold people accountable. The union said they do not have any comment about this incident at this time.

“Early indications are that our IAFF Local is wanting to ensure that a popular, successful fire department retains the confidence of Nashvillians, and their ability to execute on all fronts,” he said. “We have been having those conversations throughout the year. I think we will be looking to leadership in the Nashville Fire Department to give the public signs of the ongoing confidence we all need to have in them.”