St. Lucie County Fire District Board Terminates Chief After No-Confidence Vote
St. Lucie County Fire District Chief Jeff Lee was terminated by the Fire District Board after 74% of participating fire union members voted no confidence in his leadership. The decision followed a controversy stemming from the investigation into alleged hazing…
West Palm Beach Fort Pierce, FL, October 23, 2026 —
The St. Lucie County Fire District Board terminated Chief Jeff Lee after 74% of participating fire union members voted no confidence in his leadership, according to the information provided.
The decision followed controversy connected to an investigation into alleged hazing incidents involving recruits. The investigation had previously led to the termination of three firefighters. The information provided does not state when the investigation began, when the firefighters were terminated or when the board voted to end Lee’s employment.
The allegations are described as alleged hazing; no further details about the incidents, the investigation’s findings or the firefighters’ roles were provided. The information also does not explain what actions, if any, Lee was alleged to have taken or how the board connected the controversy to its decision. No statement from Lee, the board or the union was included.
The 74% figure refers to participating fire union members who voted no confidence. The total number of members who took part, the number of votes cast and the date of the vote were not provided. The information does not say whether the vote was binding or describe any other steps taken before the board terminated Lee.
Further details about the board’s decision, including its timing and any stated rationale beyond the circumstances described, were not provided. The information also does not identify who will lead the Fire District following Lee’s termination or whether the board has announced plans for a replacement. The account establishes the sequence described—an investigation into alleged recruit hazing, the prior termination of three firefighters, a union no-confidence vote and the board’s termination of Lee—but does not provide additional findings or responses.
Story summarized from the original created by Justin Breckenridge on www.wqcs.org, see more information here.
Media gallery
