By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Colton Young, former Wilson County Emergency Management Agency lieutenant and union president, filed a federal lawsuit July 31 alleging his termination violated First Amendment protections after he publicly raised concerns about staffing levels on fire engines.
- Young, who joined the department in 2015 and became fire lieutenant in 2023, began addressing concerns in early 2025 regarding two-person engine staffing, citing National Fire Protection Association standards calling for four firefighters per engine.
- WEMA Director Joey Cooper terminated Young on December 12 citing disrespectful behavior and violation of a no-contact order, though a subsequent dismissal letter cited messages Young sent regarding staffing and employee morale.
- The lawsuit alleges Young’s termination discouraged other WEMA employees from raising operational concerns and caused the union to lose approximately 15% of its membership and suspend its campaign for increased staffing.
- Young and the Wilson County Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 4238, are seeking back pay, benefits, reinstatement or front pay, damages, and attorneys’ fees.
LEBANON, TENN. — A former Wilson County Emergency Management Agency fire lieutenant has filed federal litigation alleging that his termination violated First Amendment protections and was undertaken in retaliation for publicly raising workplace safety and staffing concerns.
Colton Young and the Wilson County Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 4238, filed the lawsuit July 31 against Wilson County, the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency, WEMA Director Joey Cooper, and another WEMA official.
Young began employment with Wilson County in 2015 and became a full-time advanced emergency medical technician and firefighter in 2016, according to court filings. Young was elected president of Local 4238 union in 2022 and promoted to fire lieutenant in 2023.
In early 2025, the union began seeking county approval to increase staffing on WEMA fire engines from two firefighters to three personnel per unit. Union representatives cited National Fire Protection Association standards establishing four-person engine staffing guidelines.
Young addressed the staffing matter during a county committee meeting, participated in media interviews, and contacted county commissioners regarding the issue.
In December, Young was notified that he was under investigation for alleged disrespectful behavior. He was subsequently suspended and instructed not to contact other county employees without explicit permission.
Young was terminated December 12. According to court filings, Cooper initially stated that Young was being terminated for contacting another union member while a no-contact order was in effect. A subsequent dismissal letter also cited messages Young sent to county officials addressing staffing levels and employee morale concerns.
Young and the union contend that Young made statements in his capacity as a private citizen and union president while addressing matters of substantial public concern regarding fire service operations and safety.
IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd issued a statement regarding the lawsuit. “No firefighter should ever have to choose between protecting the public and protecting their career,” Todd stated.
The lawsuit alleges that Young’s firing resulted in Local 4238 losing approximately 15% of its membership and caused the union to cease its campaign for increased engine staffing.
Young and the union are requesting back pay, benefits restoration, reinstatement to his prior position or front pay in lieu of reinstatement, compensatory damages, and attorneys’ fees.