According to multiple sources, a rookie firefighter at Clay County Fire Rescue (CCFR) Station 15 in Lake Asbury was the alleged victim of a dangerous “hazing” by co-workers.
Several months ago, the sources said, an “initiation” of the recruit allegedly turned violent when he was stripped, restrained for an extended period, battered and forced outside naked during his shift by co-workers.
Insiders said the alleged assault was reported and an internal investigation was conducted by upper management. The investigation, they said, resulted in “verbal warnings.”
In emails to County Manager Howard Wanamaker and Fire Chief Lorin Mock on September 8, Clay News & Views (CN&V) asked to see the complaint and internal investigation regarding the Station 15 hazing incident. The employee’s name was included.
Clay’s rescuers told CN&V that violent hazing was customary in some firehouses in the county and noted times, dates, firehouses and the names of victims who had been previously hazed—many times violently. Because of this information, CN&V also requested to meet with Wanamaker and Mock to discuss the behaviors and possible remedies to stop the misconduct.
Neither Wanamaker nor Mock have developed a reputation for returning emails. However, Director of Communications, Laura Christmas, who said she is the “lead spokesperson for the county,” did respond by email on September 9.
Christmas said the county was “unaware of any hazing incidents” in CCFR and stated the County Personnel Policies and Fire Rescue Standard Operating Procedures “prohibit inappropriate behavior and harassment among employees.”
The lead spokesperson did admit in the same email that the county was, however, “investigating an incident regarding alleged improper behavior at Station 15.”
She said the county could not comment until the investigation was complete. No meeting could be set with Wanamaker and Mock.
Clay County’s current Personnel Policies Manual states that the county’s goal is to provide a “safe and secure workplace” for all employees and volunteers. The manual does not mention “hazing” by name but strictly forbids:
Threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence against team members, volunteers, visitors, or other individuals on county property.
Policies also ban “Fighting…dangerous horseplay while on duty or on County property… ” and require all employees to report any violations immediately to their supervisor, the Personnel Director, or the County Manager.
The “Moral Turpitude” and “Breach of Peace” section of the manual calls the banned behavior “criminal.” The policies guarantee any violation “will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment, and arrest and prosecution as determined by the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
A law enforcement official told CN&V that the behavior described at Station 15 was “criminal” and said participants could be charged with kidnapping and battery as well as other offenses. The official said the incident should have been reported to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
CN&V contacted the CCSO. No report has been made to date about any behavior at Station 15.
A very similar hazing incident was alleged and reported at Fire Station 21 in Ocala, Marion County on November 6, 2025.
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta took a markedly different approach to the violent hazing incident than Clay County’s officials have taken in response to the allegations at Station 15.
When the hazing was discovered, Banta immediately alerted county officials, including the Board of County Commissioners and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He also held a press briefing, condeming the incident and supporting an investigation and the victim.
Four Marion County Fire Rescue employees were arrested for criminal behavior including kidnapping, battery, and related offenses. Six more employees were fired, including all on-duty leadership.
The victim sued, and Marion County settled quickly. The settlement amount was confidential, but the workers’ comp portion paid the victim $100,000.
CN&V contacted all five Clay County Commissioners. None of them had heard anything about the incident.
Supporters of hazing in firehouses, even when it is vicious, say it is an important rite of passage, promotes camaraderie, brotherhood, and toughens recruits up. “People who don’t like it are snowflakes with no business being in the fire service anyway,” has become a familiar reported mantra.
But psychiatrists, psychologists, and researchers who study hazing in the fire service have proven it creates an atmosphere of separation, fear, and distrust, where misconduct, abuse, and illegal activities thrive.
Experts say hazing is extremely dangerous in the fire service because rescuers are constantly exposed to traumatic encounters in their job, which causes a high rate of PTSD and increases the rates of suicide.
The research shows hazing begins at the top, where supervisors knew, or realistically should have known, but didn’t stop the abusive and illegal conduct.
When hazing is allowed at firehouses, researchers say, the problem is no longer limited to the rescuers who carry it out; it is a serious failure of leadership and supervision.
Using firehouse inspection reports, anonymous surveys from fire personnel, and personal testimonies, Clay News & Views has detailed the alarming number of significant failures by top leadership in Clay’s Fire Rescue.
Insiders said the internal investigation was over, but since CN&V began researching the hazing charges, a concerted effort to downplay the hazers' actions was underway.
Sources said the county did not welcome an investigation by the CCSO, so to keep law enforcement at bay, a cursory investigation may be reopened.