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Investigation into the fire chief
FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis reports on the third-party investigation into Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District Chief Jeff Davidson, which alleges he created an environment of hostility within the department.
BELLAIR BEACH, Fla. - A third-party investigation was launched after two formal complaints were filed against the Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District Chief.
Union firefighters have accused Fire Chief Jeff Davidson of favoritism, retaliation, misappropriating funds, and violating HIPAA codes.
Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District Chief Jeff Davidson at the boards meeting over his alleged misconduct.
The Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District serves Bellair Beach, Belleair Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and Oakhurst.
Davidson has served as chief since 2021.
The district's union claims the department's dynamic has grown increasingly hostile over the past year. Some union members told FOX 13 News they fear for their safety.
One reported instance alleges that Davidson waved around a firearm while driving in response to a Lieutenant expressing his ongoing mental health issues.
That incident was reported to Pinellas County deputies during a welfare check on Davidson two months later.
Union members believed Davidson was increasingly behaving erratically, while deputies found no criminal misconduct.
Around that time, two formal complaints were filed against Davidson.
One of the formal union complaints against Chief Jeff Davidson.
One was by Assistant Chief David Karpinecz out of concern over the firearm incident. The union said Karpinecz was placed on administrative leave shortly after without explanation.
The Fire Commission voted unanimously to hire the South Florida law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza for more than $20,000 in taxpayer funds to investigate these claims.
On Dec. 9th, the firm presented what it found.
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"I did sustain two charges based on Chief Davidson's conduct or essentially his leadership. I don't think these are earth-shattering or egregious violations," said Milton R. Collins, Partner at Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza.
Collins said that "a lot of the employees have very strong feelings about the administration about work conditions, and I do credit their testimony."
Official headshot of Chief Jeff Davidson.
Spouses of firefighters spoke at the meeting and claimed staff were too afraid of retaliation to speak for themselves.
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"I think there's a culture that's been created within this department that leads the members to be afraid. They're afraid to speak up for themselves," said one spouse.
The spouse said they "worry that there will be a mass exodus of employees" within the fire department because of Davidson’s actions.
Another spouse pleaded with the commissioners to take action.
Davidson responded by saying the following:
"The decisions that I make are always made in consultation with relative experts such as the labor attorney and bord of fire commissioners," Davidson said. "My goal has always been and remains to this day to make Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District a premiere fire district agency offering the best possible salary, benefits, and working conditions."
The board decided to table the discussion until its next meeting on Dec. 19th at 5 p.m. A location for the board’s next meeting will be provided when it is available.
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