A former Clark County firefighter recruit has filed suit in federal court alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation during his probationary period with the Clark County Fire Department. The complaint was filed November 11, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada by Oscar Pavon, a member of Recruit Class 24-1.
According to the complaint, Pavon began the fire academy on February 5, 2024, as one of 78 recruits. Fifty-eight—including Pavon—graduated on June 20, 2024, and were assigned as probationary firefighters. For approximately five months, the complaint states Pavon received “mostly positive” performance evaluations on both fire and EMS calls and had his probationary task book fully signed off in December 2024.
The complaint describes several incidents beginning in November 2024. Pavon alleges he declined to “shop off shift”—which he characterized as working unpaid outside of scheduled hours—when asked by a senior firefighter. Shortly afterward, he reportedly received threatening text messages from another firefighter stating he did not deserve to be a firefighter and instructing him to “do what you are told.” Members of his probationary class allegedly received similar messages warning them that signing up for overtime was “a dangerous game” that took overtime away from senior employees…