9 Investigates: Orlando fire union president's fight against DUI allegations

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orlando firefighters are pushing back against random drug and alcohol testing and mandatory testing after accidents. 9 Investigates first spoke with the union president last month about why he's against the proposal. Since then, investigative reporter Daralene Jones uncovered court records that show the union president is fighting his own DUI.

9 Investigates obtained dashcam video from an Orange County deputy who pulled Ron Glass over in December 2015 on State Road 408, as he was exiting onto West Colonial Drive in Ocoee. The deputy said Glass was driving 82 mph in a 65 mph zone.

The Orlando firefighter and union president told the deputy he had about one beer, but refused a field sobriety test, deputies said. Glass said he was in the car with a female firefighter who was found asleep in the front seat and had to be woken up when Glass was arrested.

”Where you guys coming from tonight?” the deputy asked.

"Fire department party," Glass said.

“What's her name, so I don't freak her out?” the deputy asked Glass.

“Tracy, another firefighter, not that you care,” Glass replied, as he sat in the back of the cruiser, saying, “This is gonna suck.”

Glass mentioned to the deputy more than once that he was a firefighter in the dashcam video.

“I'm just trying to get this girl home. I gotta work tomorrow at the fire station. I'm not asking you for any professional courtesy,” Glass said to the deputy.

Glass was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in December 2015. He was accepted into a pretrial diversion program, but was kicked out of the program on Jan. 31, because he allegedly violated the terms of the program, so now his DUI case will go to trial.

Records show that sometime in December 2016, Glass tried to drive his personal vehicle the morning after drinking. The vehicle wouldn't start, because an ignition interlock device that had been placed on the vehicle following his DUI arrest detected a blood alcohol level of 0.07, which is just under the legal limit.

In addition to fighting the legal battle, Glass is also leading effort by the firefighters union to push back against random and mandatory drug and alcohol screenings after an accident. Glass is one of six firefighters who have been arrested for DUI, off duty, since 2012. During that same time, accidents cost the agency $300,000, according to a spokesperson. But there is no way to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a factor because drug and alcohol screenings are not mandatory after an accident.

The fire agency will not talk publicly about ongoing union negotiations that are close to reaching an impasse.

9 Investigates checked, and just about every major county and city fire agency performs random tests after an accident.

Glass did not want to comment for our report because of the pending legal matter regarding the DUI. But in a statement on behalf of the union, the vice president said:

“Due to the on-going legal proceedings involving Orlando Professional Firefighters President Ron Glass, we are unable to provide any comment as an organization on this very personal matter. We do, however, categorically reject that the off-duty incident involving President Glass has any bearing whatsoever with the on-going contract negotiations as it pertains to drug testing.

“Despite what city officials may claim, contract negotiators have yet to formally present any specific version of the drug testing policy that subjects 'only' fire apparatus Driver/Engineers involved in accidents to further testing as you have referenced in this report.

“The Orlando Professional Firefighters view this bully tactic of negotiating contract articles outside the formal setting as reckless and unprofessional.

"It is our intent to honor the spirit of negotiations by discussing these issue at the bargaining table and not through the media.

"We will continue to meet with city officials in hopes of reaching an agreement on this very serious issue.

“This is an obvious attempt from City Leaders, as well as the Fire Chief, to undermine the negotiations process by spreading half-truths to the media and publicizing the personal matters of our members in order to push their political agenda."

Cox Media Group