Weapons in the fire station end a woman's career and lead to a lawsuit

Former Ponce Inlet Fire Department Lieutenant Susanne Severson files suit after she was fired last year for purchasing a gun at the fire station from another firefighter who reported directly to her.

She was also involved in another scandal involving three fire lieutenants posed for photos with weapons in uniform on city grounds. The photos, taken around 2010, were posted on Facebook and show Severson smiling with two other city employees lying with their guns on their chests. In another photo, the three point their weapons at the camera — one man is holding an AR-15 rifle — and are wearing their firefighter uniforms.

Severson filed a federal lawsuit against the small Volusia County town this month, claiming city officials treated her differently than the other men in trouble. Severson, 49, who was promoted to lieutenant in 2010 and worked full-time in the department for 20 years, sues for gender and age discrimination.

In 2022, the city conducted an internal investigation after learning that the Facebook post had existed for years.

Severson admitted that she paid $300 in cash for a 9mm, the gun deal with a firefighter in 2017 in the rookie's living quarters at the fire station. according to the internal investigation of June 2023 by DSK Law, which the city released after a request from Florida Politics. The city has also has published the controversial photos.

“The evidence clearly shows that she encouraged a relatively new employee to complete a deal despite knowing that selling a firearm on city property violated a long-standing policy,” the report states. Severson was the new employee's direct supervisor and held a higher rank at the time of the gun deal. “In doing so, she neglected her duty to lead, supervise, and serve as a role model for those below her rank.”

The investigation also found that Severson had been deceptive and claimed she had not seen any guns at the fire station. She said she could not remember who she had bought the gun from. The investigation found that she was not credible.

How the incriminating photos were taken: A maintenance worker said he was washing his hands in the fire bay when he sat down and saw Lt. Derek George holds an AR-15.

The maintenance technician was impressed because he had only seen such a weapon in movies, he said, according to the internal investigation. George let him hold the weapon and photos were taken with Severson and Lt. Michael Young participated, the investigation report states.

“Lieutenant Severson stated that she was aware that possession of firearms on city property was prohibited and that she had no means of defense other than acting under the direction of then-Lieutenant George.”

The maintenance worker posted the pictures on Facebook on New Year's Eve 2010.

The fireman who sold Severson the gun received a written reprimand. The maintenance worker, Young, who posed in the photos with Severson and George was suspended for five days. Severson was fired. George was also was released because of another investigation, the report said.

In her lawsuit, Severson defended her work.

“During the nine years she was employed by the city, she received positive performance reviews, was promoted, and served as union treasurer until 2023,” the lawsuit states.

Her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment. The city declined to comment.

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