Seminole County firefighter suspended for breaking quarantine because he was ‘bored’ after testing positive for COVID-19

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A firefighter was suspended for three days after he broke his mandated quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.

Firefighter Joseph Piambino posted a video on Instagram of him partying on his boat with friends on June 30, and another at a friend’s house with the caption, “the new Orlando speakeasy.”

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However, Piambino was supposed to be at home on paid leave in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 20.

The Seminole County Fire Department requires firefighters to quarantine for 10 days.

The department launched an investigation after co-workers reported the videos.

According to the investigative report, Piambino said he “heard that it may have not been a good idea,” and that “he had been feeling fine for the last five-six days and was ‘going crazy’ sitting on the couch.”

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Piambino admitted to an assistant fire chief during a phone call to being bored and went out on his boat.

The internal investigation found that Piambino, through his own admission and witness statements, broke department policy.

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