In a dramatic legal battle that highlights issues of workplace retaliation and constitutional rights, two firefighters have taken their grievances to federal court. On December 3, 2025, Jacob Brunk and Rick Olson filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona against the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) and several of its current and former officials. The plaintiffs allege that they faced retaliatory actions after exercising their rights to free speech and association under the First Amendment.
The lawsuit stems from events beginning in June 2024 when Battalion Chief Brad Davis allegedly threatened union members with repercussions for discussing a vote of no confidence against then-Fire Chief Scott Freitag. According to the complaint, Davis warned that “things would get really bad” for those involved, prompting Brunk and Olson to file harassment complaints. In response, CAFMA launched investigations against the plaintiffs rather than addressing their concerns about Davis’s conduct. This led to what Brunk and Olson describe as a retaliatory process involving administrative leave, lost wages, and proposed disciplinary actions including demotion and suspension without pay.
The plaintiffs argue that these actions were part of a broader pattern by CAFMA to suppress union activity and criticism of leadership. They claim that investigative processes were biased and denied them due process, as evidenced by restricted representation during interviews and hearings. Furthermore, they assert that key evidence was withheld from the Disciplinary Advisory Board (DAB), which was supposed to provide an independent review but instead perpetuated the alleged retaliatory agenda.
Brunk and Olson are seeking multiple forms of relief from the court. They request declarations that their constitutional rights were violated, permanent injunctions against further retaliation, restoration of lost pay and benefits, expungement of disciplinary records, compensatory damages for financial losses and emotional distress, punitive damages against individual defendants in their personal capacities, as well as attorneys’ fees.
Representing Brunk and Olson are attorneys Cassidy L. Bacon and Eric R. Wilson from Napier, Baillie, Wilson, Bacon & Tallone P.C., based in Phoenix. The case is being heard under Case ID 3:25-cv-08257-DMF by Judge Douglas L. Rayes.
Source: 325cv08257_Brunk_v_Central_Arizona_Fire_and_Medical_Authority_Complaint_District_Arizona.pdf
