NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Nashville firefighter has been put on alternative duty after he was arrested for fighting a fire in Rutherford County.
Court records show Jacob Welbaum was arrested for five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct concerning a fire in January 2023. He allegedly fought a house fire out of his jurisdiction after orders to stand down, but he allegedly took gear off the truck anyway.
An affidavit describing his arrest said other firefighters physically removed him from the house. Rutherford County deputies arrested him in December.
"He is not making emergency responses nor working with the public," Nashville Fire Department officials said. "This is all we can share at this time due to the ongoing investigation and our Civil Service Process."
Welbaum has been part of the NFD since 2017.
His first court appearance is scheduled Jan. 24.
Fostering Hope provides Christmas for kids in foster care. I'm delighted to see Fostering Hope expand this year to expand their reach to now include kids in Foster care in metro AND foster kids in East TN hard hit by Helene.
-Bree Smith
