Graduating probationary firefighters for the Seminole County Fire Department in Sanford, Fla., will no longer have religion pushed upon them by invocations at graduation ceremonies after FFRF got involved.
FFRF received a report that the department celebrated the December 2023 graduation of probationary firefighters at CrossLife Church in Oviedo. Additionally, the department’s chaplain delivered an invocation as part of the official graduation ceremony. Attendees and graduates were asked to remain standing following the Pledge of Allegiance in order to participate in a prayer delivered to the “Lord,” and given in Jesus’ name.
FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Sammi Lawrence wrote to Fire Department Chief Matt Kinley with the constitutional concerns. Kinley replied to confirm that action was taken to correct the violation. “After careful review of your letter, the department has revised its program to remove the invocation from its graduation ceremony,” he confirmed.
