An Eastern Kentucky volunteer fire department has issued a public apology after one of its members shared video from the scene of an injury crash on social media, raising concerns about privacy violations and departmental policy.
The Martin Volunteer Fire Department posted the apology on Facebook, addressing nearby emergency agencies and those involved in the incident. The video was recorded during a two-vehicle crash that occurred Saturday around noon on Kentucky Highway 680 near the community of Minnie.
Fire Chief Ben Meade said the footage was captured on a firefighter’s personal phone and later posted online, which goes against both department rules and federal privacy standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). He emphasized that protecting patient privacy and maintaining public trust are top priorities for the department.
In its statement, the department described the action as unacceptable and confirmed that internal disciplinary steps are underway to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meade added that all members are required to follow strict guidelines, including a ban on recording emergency scenes using personal devices—rules that were clearly violated in this case.
It remains unclear whether the video has been removed, though it was not found during a later review. Officials have not disclosed the identity of the firefighter involved or whether they are still part of the department.
The department said it felt it was necessary to publicly acknowledge the mistake and apologize to partner agencies, including local fire-rescue teams and law enforcement, reinforcing its commitment to accountability and proper conduct moving forward.