Miramar deputy fire rescue chief sues for whistleblower protection from supervisors
A Miramar deputy fire rescue chief is suing the city, alleging he faced retaliation from supervisors after reporting what he believed were crimes and gross mismanagement within his department that impacted public safety, the Miramar News has learned.
The three-page complaint, filed April 29 in Broward County civil court on behalf of Deputy Fire Rescue Chief Bruce Britton, details how Britton believes his reporting of alleged wrongdoing impacted his career at fire department and ultimately forced him to seek protection under Florida’s Whistleblower Act from city supervisors.
In Florida, the act protects public and private employees from retaliation when they report illegal activities, fraud or workplace hazards. It also allows employees to seek monetary damages.
City websites show Britton is second in command in the Miramar Fire Rescue hierarchy and oversees daily operations for the Fire Life Safety Bureau, Emergency Management and Support Services.
Last year, Britton taped the department’s public safety announcement on YouTube calling for hurricane preparedness.
In the lawsuit, Britton claims he made formal and informal complaints to supervisors and officials alleging that city employees violated “federal, state and/or local laws, rules and/or regulations.”
The complaint does not identify the specific incidents, employees or actions that prompted Britton’s allegations. But the lawsuit suggests the case could attract additional scrutiny to operations within Miramar Fire Rescue and city management.
According to the lawsuit, Britton voluntarily made disclosures — including at least one written and signed complaint — to “individuals or entities with the authority to investigate or correct the alleged wrongdoing.”
The lawsuit alleges the complaints involved issues that “created and presented a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare,” including allegations of “gross mismanagement, malfeasance, gross waste of public funds and/or gross neglect of duty,” but no action was taken over Britton’s complaints.
Instead, Britton alleges he was “subjected to unlawful retaliation” because of what he reported. The lawsuit accuses the city of violating Florida’s Whistleblower Protection Act through a series of retaliatory actions against Britton.
Britton claims his complaints effectively turned him into a persona non grata within the fire department and city government.
Britton’s attorney, Matthew Daley of St. Petersburg, declined comment on the case to the Miramar News. Daley said the city has not officially been served with the lawsuit as of May 19, although it appears on the Broward County court docket.
Britton did not respond to an email request for comment. Emails seeking comment from a city spokesperson, the city attorney and current Miramar Fire Chief Jermaine McFarlane were not answered.
Among the alleged retaliations Britton said were a demotion or transfer, denial of promotions and denial of benefits Britton says he was entitled to receive. There is also the hiring of individuals the lawsuit describes as “significantly less qualified” for positions Britton had sought.
The complaint also alleges Britton was subjected to unwarranted disciplinary actions, including “notices to appear” based on what the lawsuit characterizes as “baseless accusations.”
Britton further claims supervisors disclosed details of his complaints with his coworkers, contributing to additional negative treatment in the workplace.
The filing says the alleged retaliation and unresolved complaints caused professional and personal harm.
Britton claims the situation led to damage to his professional reputation, reduced enjoyment of life and emotional distress, including mental anguish, anxiety and fear tied to continuing what the lawsuit describes as lawful disclosures of alleged wrongdoing to government agencies.
Britton has been with Miramar Fire Rescue since 2014, when he was hired as assistant fire marshal. He began his career in 2007 with the Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue as a fire inspector and rose to the rank of captain and deputy fire marshal.
The Miramar fire department has not been without controversy. In March 2025, former Miramar Fire Chief Ramon Perez was fired amid allegations of nepotism and interference in the city’s firefighter recruitment process in an effort to get his son hired by the department, according to city officials and reporting by the Miami New Times.
At the time, McFarlane, who also held the rank of deputy fire rescue chief, was promoted to fire chief to lead the department of about 180 employees, including more than 160 sworn firefighters.
It remains unclear whether Britton’s complaints stem from the department’s recent leadership turmoil.
In the lawsuit, Britton seeks damages exceeding $50,000, though no specific amount is listed.
