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Fla. FD EMT fired over comment about women’s right to vote during call

An Orlando Fire Department EMT was fired after a months-long investigation into a 34-second video clip where they made a comment about women’s voting rights

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Fire Department has fired an EMT captured on a home security camera in January making remarks about an elderly patient’s worried family and women’s voting rights.

Officials confirmed the termination on Sept. 17 following a months-long investigation, WFTV reported. The 34-second clip was first shared on Reddit’s “Am I Overreacting” forum by a woman who said she called 911 after her mother’s sudden change in behavior.

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In the video, one EMT is heard saying the daughter was “flipping out,” then making a remark to a female colleague off camera, “This is a society. You guys started voting, everything got weaker.” The clip appears unedited, but offers no additional context.

The only details beyond the audio came from the poster’s comments, which were reviewed after she deleted the original video and post.

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WFTV has requested records on the investigation and termination to clarify what occurred before and after the clip and how the remarks were received within the department. The station also contacted the EMT’s union to ask for comment and whether it will challenge the firing.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.