ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 spoke one-on-one with the former Orange County battalion chief at the heart of a new battle over the county’s vaccine mandate.
Stephen Davis refused to discipline firefighters who didn’t get the vaccine, and he said he is confident with his decision.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
He said the list he was given of unvaccinated firefighters to write up was not updated and the discipline was unlawful.
Davis said he would have eventually followed the order to discipline unvaccinated firefighters if the list was updated, but never got the chance. He was immediately relieved to duty, and out of a job within two weeks.
READ: Orlando fire chief resigns 2 months after suspension due to arrest
He wasn’t terminated for not getting a vaccine, but for not following orders, which makes his fight to get his job back tricky.
His firing was for insubordination and disobeying a direct order.
Davis turned in his gear on Friday.
“It wasn’t something I anticipated doing,” Davis said. “I didn’t think I would have to turn my gear in for another 11 years. It was hard.”
Davis said he feels like he was fired as an example to others.
READ: ‘Totally inappropriate’: DeSantis pushes back after Orange County battalion chief fired
On Monday, he will meet with the union that will be in charge of filing a grievance to try and get his job back. That grievance has to be filed by Friday.
This browser does not support the video element.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.