Nashville Firefighters Resign After Ordering Drinks at Broadway Bar
Three officers quit after a bartender reported they consumed mixed drinks while wearing department shirts and carrying radios late Monday night.
By Abigail Brooks ·
Three Nashville firefighters stepped down from their positions on Wednesday following a late-night visit to a bar on Broadway. The resignations follow a police report detailing the incident that occurred around midnight on Monday.
The three men, identified in the report as Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter, and Daniel Wrenn, were working at the time. Police said the trio wore Nashville Fire Department T-shirts and carried bright yellow radios while inside the establishment. A bartender at Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row told the manager she was concerned because the men appeared to be on duty.
Officers arrived after the manager called them. When police spoke with the firefighters, the group confirmed they were on shift but denied drinking alcohol inside the venue. Staff members later told investigators the men ordered two vodka-Red Bulls and a water shortly after midnight. The bartender provided a receipt signed by one of the firefighters for the mixed drinks. Although she did not personally see them consume the beverages, she handed the document to officers.
Police notified the area fire commander, who arrived at the bar and placed the three on administrative duty immediately. The men remained on administrative leave before formally resigning on Wednesday. It is currently unclear if the internal investigation continues now that the employees have left their jobs.
The Nashville Fire Department acknowledged an incident involving three staff members but declined to release specific details or positions. A spokesperson cited the matter as a personnel issue. The department also did not provide its employee conduct rules to reporters. In a statement, the department said it holds all personnel to high standards of professionalism and accountability.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell called for strict accountability following the incident. He noted the event happened months after another firefighter was found unresponsive at his station with drug paraphernalia. An autopsy determined that firefighter died from cocaine toxicity. O’Connell met with Fire Chief William Swann to discuss the department’s response.
O’Connell said Swann has shown a zero-tolerance approach to substance use on the job. The mayor is now working with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 140 to ensure the department maintains public trust. The union stated it has no comment at this time. O’Connell emphasized the need for retraining updates so all personnel meet the required standards.
The mayor described ongoing conversations with department leadership. He said the city is looking for clear signs that the fire department is addressing these issues to retain the confidence of Nashville residents.
