ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Former St. Johns County Fire Chief Scott Bullard will not be returning to the department anytime soon after the county rejected his employment grievance.
Action News Jax Ben Becker sat down with Interim St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews and Firefighters Union President David Stevens after Becker first reported Saturday that the county denied Bullard’s grievance after he resigned on October 3 following just five months on the job.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Becker: “Do you think his actions jeopardize the safety of residents and firefighters?”
Andrews: “Absolutely, there has been no doubt.”
Andrews is referring to complaints from the union and high-ranking fire personnel about Bullard’s handling of sick leave, uniforms, and the fire department’s lack of planning and response to Hurricane Idalia.
Becker: “So, the hurricane situation was the final straw?”
Andrews: “That is exactly right.”
Becker: “So, at that point, you’re like he has to go?”
Andrew: “That’s right.”
Bullard’s grievance states he was “forced to resign” and not given the opportunity to “revert” back to his position of Battalion Chief because he was in his probationary period.
Andrews and Stevens both said Bullard is not eligible to come back because he’s no longer a member of the fire union and no Battalion Chief positions are currently available - and even if he could return, that bridge has been burned.
“So, we started to see issues with his competence,” said Stevens.
In August, Stevens wrote the county that it had voted to “formally address concerns of safety and the ability of Fire Rescue Chief Scott Bullard to lead our department” after Bullard sent out an email in July to the department that Stevens said refuted safety information regarding polyester uniforms - but that was just one issue.
“I also believe his approach on mental health and not taking care of our firefighters and calling mental health and overtime propaganda puts everybody at risk,” said Stevens.
Becker met with Bullard at his home last week. Bullard showed him some of the keepsakes from his 22-year career.
Bullard said he had told verbally to change the sick leave policy, the union had agreed to the uniform change, and that he followed standards related to hurricane preparedness.
Bullard: “I believe I was targeted.”
Becker: “But why?”
Bullard: “That is the million-dollar question. I wish I knew. This is my livelihood that’s been taken away from me, my future, my family’s future.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Bullard was hired in May by former County Administrator Hunter Conrad who resigned under pressure in June.
St. Johns County human resources told Becker that Bullard was not the first choice, but that Conrad over-ruled others in the hiring process.
Bullard has received some support as a Change.org petition has more than 1,100 signatures, although it’s unclear if all the people live in St. Johns County.
“We are going to put every effort in place and every investment that’s needed to find the right leader to lead the next chapter of the St. Johns County Fire Department,” said Andrews.
Battalion Chief Sean McGee is now serving as Acting Fire Chief while the department conducts a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Becker reached out to Bullard about the grievance, and Bullard said he is exploring his options now.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
