CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A group of firefighters and their union are suing the City of Clarksville and Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery Jr., claiming they were retaliated against for launching a public campaign to address a slew of issues within the department.
The lawsuit was filed by five firefighters — Bryan Birkes, Larayza Collins, James Musumeci, Summer Pasco and Joshua Stevens, as well as their union, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3180. They claim that last May, the union conducted a public campaign to raise awareness about several issues the firefighters were facing in Clarksville, saying low pay caused staffing shortages, high turnover, fatigue and public safety risks.
That campaign included rallies, petitions, emails to city council and posts on social media, they said…