Three Firefighters Resign After Bar Visit

Three Nashville firefighters resigned following a night shift incident in which they ordered alcoholic drinks at a local bar.

Police reports identify the officers as Athams Davis, Griffin Hunter, and Daniel Wrenn. They were wearing department T-shirts and carrying yellow radios while at the Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row bar.

The manager at the bar called police around midnight on Monday. A bartender told officers she was concerned the men were drinking while on duty. The three men told arriving officers they were working but denied consuming alcohol inside the venue.

The bartender stated she did not personally watch the firefighters drink the beverages. However, she provided a receipt for two vodka Red Bulls and a water to the police. One of the firefighters had signed the receipt for the mixed drinks.

Bar staff confirmed the order was placed just after midnight. The manager said the establishment was attempting to retrieve video footage to provide more context to the police investigation.

Fire commanders arrived at the scene and placed the three men on administrative duty immediately. They were subsequently placed on administrative leave before formally resigning on Wednesday. It remains unclear if the department's internal investigation continues now that the employees have left.

The Nashville Fire Department issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident. It described the event as a personnel matter and declined to release specific details or positions. The department said it holds staff to high standards of professionalism and that actions compromising those standards are addressed accordingly.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell called for accountability after the incident. He noted that this event follows a recent case where a firefighter was found unresponsive at his station with drug paraphernalia. An autopsy attributed that death to cocaine toxicity.

O'Connell said he spoke with Fire Chief William Swann about the need for zero tolerance regarding alcohol and drugs on the job. He emphasized the need for retraining to ensure all personnel meet professional expectations.

The mayor is working with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 140 to address the issue. The union said it has no comment at this time. O'Connell stated that he expects department leadership to provide signs of confidence to the public.