Monroe County’s Emergency Services recently addressed the community’s concerns regarding the resignation of former Captain David Fullmore, following allegations of professional misconduct. The fire department clarified that the decision to demote Fullmore stemmed from a series of events unrelated to his actions during a motor vehicle accident call on April 21. Instead, the issue was rooted in a violation of integrity standards.
The Incident: The April 21 call involved a motor vehicle accident on Highway 83 North. Captain Fullmore and his team responded to the scene and provided care to a patient, who was later airlifted for further treatment. Although there were no immediate issues, a later report in The Monroe County Reporter raised concerns about safety procedures at the scene.
A photograph from the incident showed deviations from best practices, including a lack of vehicle stabilization and the absence of proper safety gear. These concerns led Monroe County Fire Chief Matthew Jackson to address the matter with Fullmore and his supervisor, Battalion Chief Clay Walton. Both officers were given the choice of either a disciplinary write-up or preparing a presentation on the importance of stabilizing vehicles at accident scenes.
The Allegations: While Walton completed his presentation, Fullmore delayed his, eventually submitting work that was discovered to have been plagiarized from an out-of-state fire department. This breach of integrity, combined with previous performance issues, led to Fullmore’s demotion from his probationary captain role to firefighter/paramedic. Fullmore, who had served Monroe County for over 20 years, ultimately chose to resign after using FMLA leave.
Chief Jackson’s Response: In a public statement, Jackson emphasized that the demotion was not a result of Fullmore’s actions at the April accident scene but due to his failure to meet integrity standards. “If there is one thing that is paramount in the fire service, it is integrity,” the statement read, acknowledging Fullmore’s contributions while maintaining the importance of holding officers accountable.
Monroe County Emergency Services reiterated its commitment to the safety of its crews and the public. The department wished Fullmore well, recognizing his long service but standing by the decision that led to his demotion.
The Statement: You can read the full statement by the fire department below.