Firefighter FIRED after Sending Out Christian Email to Co-Workers
Monday, October 15, 2012 at 9:59AM 
E.V. Jones/EEW Magazine News Editor
After serving for 17 years as a Spokane Valley Firefighter, Captain Jon Sprague finds himself out of a job. Sprague received a letter of termination for sending out a Christian email to 46 fellow firefighters who are members of the “Christian Firefighter Fellowship” in Spokane Valley.
According to My Fox Spokane, Sprague says the emails only went out to the 46 members of the fellowship which he heads up, and caused no harm to anyone.
"We've had no complaints, hasn't disrespected the department," said Sprague.
But Spokane Valley Fire Chief Mike Thompson says Sprague violated department rules by using taxpayer-funded email for personal reasons. Administrators gave him a direct order to stop, and after several acts of discipline and warning they had no choice but to fire him for insubordination.
"All along the way we've given him a direct order, and he refused to do that," said Fire Chief Mike Thompson, Spokane Valley Fire Department.
But Sprague’s personal account of the events leading to termination seems to contradict that story.
"Never had been disciplined in the past. Everything seems to revolve around just those emails and the Christian content," he said.
"He can stand at the station, hand out fliers, we don't have a problem with that. He just can't use department funded systems to do what he wanted to do," said Thompson.
Though the firefighter was allowed to hand out Christian materials in a “department-funded building,” but not send Christian emails on “department-funded systems,” seems an interesting distinction, or perhaps contradiction, to say the least.
Despite his dismissal, Sprague is planning to defend himself and appeal the decision, suggesting that this entire incident may be born out of personal issues, rather than an actual violation of code.
"It's not like I can just walk next door and talk to another employee about some of these things," said the axed former firefighter. "We have 10 fire stations and three different shifts. The only real way is to communicate is that way."
Read the full story at My Fox Spokane.
Your thoughts?
Reader Comments (4)
I am 64 and never did I think I would live so long that I would witness Christians in the U.S. being treated like this. We have become the enemy. I would like to know how many other "personal" emails have been cause for dismissal of other government personnel or just this particular person's 'christian' emails.
Thats just the devil put as Christian we have to b like Daniel in his day, if it was personal fine make sure you obey all rules so the devil will only b able to falsely accuse you and your witness will grow. Dont give that joker and opportunity. Ill pray for his promotion
@Ann M. yes it's sad and frightening at the same time that the American Way of Life founded on Religious Freedom (Not just any religious freedom either, as some would like to inject), the Christians, the believers, are the outcasts, the enemy! Yes for God-fearing Americans these are troubled times indeed.
My guess is there's more to the story. Maybe as the fireman appeals in court, things will be more clear. While I do sympathize with the guy for losing his job over this, the Bible is clear on how we must obey those over us. He was not told to stop worshipping or anything, but rather to not use state resources for personal matters. I wonder if he is allowed to send a personal email to his wife (using state-funded email)....Anyhoo, it is a sad day in America when you can get fired for sending out Christian email using State property. Oh well, I guess we should not be surprised- this comes from a State that has the largest number or 'non-religious' folks after Colorado. I do hope the Evangelicals over there make a big noise over this!