WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A former Wilson County firefighter and union president has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was fired for speaking publicly about firefighter staffing and safety concerns. Young joined Wilson County in 2015 and became a full-time advanced EMT and firefighter in 2016, according to the complaint. In early 2025, the union began asking county officials to increase staffing on WEMA fire engines from two firefighters to three. According to the lawsuit, Young was notified Dec. 1 that he was under investigation for alleged “disrespectful behavior.” A subsequent dismissal letter also cited messages Young sent to county officials about staffing and employee morale.