A senior Miramar fire-rescue official is taking his own city to court, claiming his career was put on the line after he sounded the alarm about what he calls criminal conduct and dangerous mismanagement inside the department. Deputy Fire Rescue Chief Bruce Britton filed a three-page complaint in Broward County civil court on April 29, 2026, seeking protection under Florida's whistle-blower law and more than $50,000 in damages.
What the complaint says
According to the filing, Britton did not keep his concerns to himself. The complaint says he made both formal and informal disclosures, including at least one written and signed complaint, to individuals or entities with the authority to investigate or fix the alleged problems. Those issues, the lawsuit claims, "created and presented a substantial and specific danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare," as reported by Miramar News.
Britton's role in the department
City records place Britton near the top of the organizational ladder. Staff directories list him as a deputy chief in Miramar's Fire Administration, and he appears on the department's leadership roster. The online staff directory identifies Britton as part of the department's senior team, according to City of Miramar.
Alleged retaliation and career fallout
Once he spoke up, Britton says, life at work changed fast and not in a good way. The lawsuit claims supervisors turned him into a "persona non grata" and that he was "subjected to unlawful retaliation," including demotion or transfer, denial of promotions and benefits, and unwarranted disciplinary notices. The complaint also accuses the city of hiring people it describes as "significantly less qualified."
The case appears on the Broward County docket and seeks damages in excess of $50,000. Britton’s attorney told reporters that as of May 19, 2026, the city had not yet been formally served, according to Miramar News.
What the law covers
Florida's Whistle-blower's Act, found in Sections 112.3187 through 112.31895 of state law, is designed to protect employees who say they are punished for calling out serious problems. The statute bars adverse action and allows a private lawsuit, including for monetary damages, when an employee reports certain violations or gross mismanagement that create a substantial danger to public health or safety. The types of disclosures covered and the scope of those protections are outlined by Florida's Office of Inspector General.
Department context
Britton's lawsuit lands in a department that has already been under a spotlight. Former Fire Chief Ramon Perez was fired in March 2025 amid nepotism allegations tied to a hiring process, and Jermaine McFarlane was promoted to lead the roughly 180-employee agency. That shakeup and its fallout have drawn sustained local attention, as documented by Miami New Times.
What comes next
For now, the case is in the early procedural stage. Because it is a civil complaint, Britton must make sure the city is properly served. Once that happens, the court will give Miramar a chance to answer the lawsuit or file motions under Florida's civil rules. The state generally requires that service be completed within 120 days of filing.
If the case moves ahead, both sides could be pulled into a lengthy discovery process, with depositions and document requests likely zeroing in on hiring decisions, disciplinary records, and how internal complaints were handled. Those details may raise new questions for city management and fire-rescue leadership. The timing and process for service are governed by Florida Rule 1.070.
