Three Nashville Firefighters Resign After Ordering Alcohol at Broadway Bar

Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter, and Daniel Wrenn submitted their resignations from the Nashville Fire Department on Wednesday. Their departures follow a police report detailing how the three firefighters were seen ordering alcoholic drinks at a bar in downtown Nashville while on duty.

The incident occurred around midnight on Monday at Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row. A manager at the establishment called police after a bartender expressed concern that the three men were consuming alcohol while working. The police report identifies the firefighters as wearing Nashville Fire Department T-shirts and carrying bright yellow radios during their visit to the bar.

When officers arrived and questioned the group, the men confirmed they were on duty. All three denied drinking alcohol inside the venue. Police continued their inquiry by speaking with the bartender who served the group and other staff members. The bartender stated that the men ordered two vodka-Red Bulls and a water shortly after midnight.

The bartender told investigators she did not personally watch the firefighters consume the beverages. However, she provided police with a receipt for the mixed drinks that was signed by one of the three men. The bar manager said the staff were working to secure video footage to offer more context on the event.

Upon receiving the call from police, the area fire commander arrived at the scene. He immediately placed the three firefighters on administrative duty. They remained on that status until they resigned three days later. It is currently unclear if the internal investigation into the incident is still active following their departures.

The Nashville Fire Department acknowledged awareness of the incident involving three employees. The department declined to release specific details or the positions of the men, citing the matter as a personnel issue. A spokesperson did not respond to requests for the employee rules and regulations regarding firefighter conduct.

In a statement, the department noted that it holds all personnel to high standards of professionalism and accountability. It added that actions compromising those standards are taken seriously and addressed accordingly.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell called for accountability after the incident. This event follows a death in the department earlier this year, where a firefighter was found unresponsive at a station with drug paraphernalia. The autopsy for that case listed cocaine toxicity as the cause of death.

O’Connell said he spoke with Chief William Swann and other leaders to ensure Metro employees understand that drinking or using drugs on the job is not acceptable. O’Connell stated, “I think (Swann) has demonstrated, within the fire department, that there is a zero-tolerance approach to this.” He added that he is looking for assurance that the department is conducting appropriate retraining updates for all personnel.

The mayor is also working with the firefighters union, IAFF Local 140, to address the situation. The union said it has no comment on the incident at this time. O’Connell noted, “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.”