Macon-Bibb County Fire Chief Investigates Rookie Hoax on YouTube

The Macon-Bibb Fire Department is investigating a video posted on YouTube. The video, which was posted on Sunday, shows firefighters being held up by a gunman at Fire Station 108.

According to spokesperson for Mayor Reichert, Clay Murphey, the video is a prank. He says it was “rookie hazing.” Murphey also says Fire Chief Marvin Riggins does not condone or put up with this behavior.

County officials are also not happy about this incident. Bibb County Commissioner Joe Allen, says he had no idea this video was created until late this afternoon.

“I am very disappointed in the command of the Fire Chief for not notifying the Chairman or myself… If the video does show someone being hurt or a weapon being used then someone needs to lose their job, and others need to be reprimanded. And it starts at the top.”

Murphey says Chief Riggins is heading up an internal investigation, but it’s too early to determine what kind of punishment, if any, will be handed out to those involved.

A list of credits points the finger at five employees in the video. Murphey confirms the chief did match some of the faces with the names.

No rookies were named in the video, and it has been removed from YouTube.

Commissioner Joe Allen says this isn’t the first time this type of behavior has been reported at fire stations in the county. He says he’s reached out to the chief and told him he had to get the behavior under control. Chief Riggins could not be reached for comment.