Three Nashville Firefighters Quit After Midnight Bar Visit
Police reports detail orders of vodka and Red Bull at a Broadway establishment, prompting an internal review and calls for stricter enforcement of conduct rules.
By Jasmine Carter ·
Three members of the Nashville Fire Department resigned on Wednesday following a dispute over alcohol consumption during active duty hours. The incident occurred around midnight on Monday at Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row on Broadway. Police reports indicate the three officers, Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter, and Daniel Wrenn, were wearing department T-shirts and carrying yellow radios while inside the venue.
A bartender contacted the police after expressing concern that the men were drinking on the clock. According to the report, the three firefighters denied consuming alcohol inside the bar when officers arrived. However, the bartender told investigators that the group ordered two vodka and Red Bull mixed drinks and a bottle of water just after midnight. She provided a receipt signed by one of the firefighters as proof of the order, though she stated she did not personally witness them drinking the beverages.
The area’s fire commander arrived at the scene and immediately placed the three men on administrative duty. They remained on administrative leave until they submitted their resignations on Wednesday. It is currently unclear if the internal investigation into the incident is still active following their departures. The Nashville Fire Department described the situation as a personnel matter and declined to release specific details or the ranks of the involved employees.
A department spokesperson said the agency holds all personnel to high standards of professionalism and conduct. They stated that actions compromising those standards are taken seriously and addressed accordingly. The spokesperson did not respond to requests for a copy of the employee rules and regulations regarding firefighter conduct.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell called for accountability after learning of the incident. He noted that the event follows a recent case in which a firefighter died from cocaine toxicity after being found unresponsive at his station. O’Connell spoke with Chief William Swann to ensure the department maintains a zero-tolerance approach to substance use while on the job.
O’Connell said he is looking for assurance that the department is providing appropriate retraining updates to all personnel. He also mentioned ongoing conversations with the firefighter union, IAFF Local 140, to ensure the agency retains public confidence. The union said it has no comment on the specific incident at this time. O’Connell stated that early indications show the union wants to ensure the fire department can execute on all fronts while maintaining the trust of Nashville residents.
The bar manager said staff were working to obtain video footage to provide additional context to the police report. The footage may offer more details about the interaction between the firefighters and the bar staff. The department’s statement emphasized that they are addressing the situation according to their established protocols.
