FIRE DEPARTMENT FINDS POLICY VIOLATIONS IN NEWTON CAMPAIGN VIDEO
A Cape Coral Fire Department investigation has substantiated policy violations after City Council candidate Dave Newton filmed campaign material at Cape Coral Fire Station 1 using City property and fire apparatus. The investigation also shows that Newton discussed using a fire station as a filming location with Cape Coral Fire Lieutenant Dave Arnold before the video was made.
The investigation began after Newton’s campaign video started circulating on Facebook on September 20, 2026. According to the Fire Department’s report, the video showed Newton inside and outside the apparatus bay at Fire Station 1, opening a compartment on Ladder 1 and climbing the steps of the apparatus in what appeared to be an attempt to show him entering the rear of the cab. Fire Chief Mike Russell requested a fact-finding investigation the following day, and City Council candidate Tom Shadrach also submitted a complaint regarding the incident.
Records included with the investigation show Newton had contacted Fire Lieutenant Dave Arnold the day before the filming. Arnold said Newton asked whether Station 1 would be a good location to film outside. Arnold initially suggested Station 13, but according to his statement, Newton settled on Station 1 because of the flagpole in front of the building and because the station was located in his district. Arnold said he did not know the content, intent, or extent of the filming and assumed it would be similar to a video made by a previous candidate.
Arnold was on duty on September 15 but was attending a scheduled meeting at Fire Administration while the filming occurred. According to the investigation, the firefighters remaining at Station 1 had no advance knowledge that Newton and the cameraman would be arriving. Arnold later reported that the cameraman arrived while firefighters were performing truck checkoffs and that they initially believed he was simply a member of the public wanting to photograph or film the fire apparatus. Newton arrived shortly afterward and told the firefighters that he had spoken with Arnold about filming outside. The firefighters answered questions about the apparatus before returning to their normal station duties. Arnold maintained that there was no political discussion between Newton and the firefighters.
Station security footage reviewed by investigators confirmed that the filming actually occurred on Fire Department property on September 15 between approximately 9:30 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. The investigation also confirmed that CCFD equipment was captured during the filming.
The Fire Department ultimately determined that it was more likely than not that the firefighters working at Station 1 did not understand the extent or intent of Newton’s campaign filming. Investigators noted that members of the public routinely visit fire stations, ask questions, and inspect apparatus, and concluded that the crew appeared to have treated Newton and the cameraman in much the same way they would other visitors.
After reviewing the campaign video, questions remain about the conclusion that the firefighters were unaware of the extent or intent of the filming. The finished video prominently incorporates the fire station and City-owned apparatus, raising questions about whether those present should have recognized that something beyond a routine public visit was taking place. Lieutenant Dave Arnold ( A Leader in the union) acknowledged discussing the filming location with Candidate Dave Newton beforehand, yet according to Arnold, the firefighters on duty were never informed that Newton and a cameraman were coming. Given the Fire Department’s emphasis on communication, along with its finding that required notification procedures were not followed and City apparatus was ultimately utilized for political activity, questions remain about whether the initial fact-finding fully explains what occurred that day.
However, the investigation still found that City and Fire Department policies were violated. CCFD Standing Order 1002 requires Fire Administration to be notified of official interactions with political candidates, including station visits, as well as situations that could generate significant media attention or negatively affect the Fire Department’s image. Investigators determined that the required notification was not made.
The investigation also found a violation involving the use of City resources for political activity. Cape Coral Administrative Regulation G-18 states that “No City Resources shall be used in support of any Political Activity or candidate.” The conclusion of the Fire Department’s report specifically states that “a deviation from Administrative Regulation G-18 occurred when a City of Cape Coral Fire Apparatus was utilized for political activity.”
On October 9, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Solich completed the fact-finding report and officially marked the allegations “SUBSTANTIATED,” meaning the available evidence showed the incident or allegation was more likely to have occurred than not. The report identifies CCFD Standing Order 1002 and Administrative Regulation G-18 as the possible policy violations.
The case also does not appear to simply end with the fact-finding report. Under “Action Recommendation,” the Department selected “Division Assignment for Further Action.” Notably, the option for “No Further Action Required” was not selected, nor was the option for a “Formal Investigation.” This indicates that while the initial fact-finding has been completed, the substantiated findings were referred for some type of additional action. The documents provided do not establish what the next action will be or whether it has already occurred.
The investigation was also specifically limited to violations of Fire Department policies and City administrative regulations. The report states that determining whether any Florida state law was violated was outside the scope of the fact-finding.
For now, what the City’s own records establish is that Newton discussed the filming location with a Fire Lieutenant beforehand, campaign footage was subsequently filmed at a City fire station, City fire apparatus was utilized for political activity, the required notification procedures were not followed, and the Fire Department substantiated the resulting policy violations and referred the matter for further action.
Besides the violation of Cape Coral Administrative Regulation G-18 — Use of City Resources for Political Activity, the circumstances also raise questions about possible violations of Florida law, including:
F.S. §106.15(3) — Candidate use of municipal employees during working hours
F.S. §104.31(2) — Public employees participating in political campaigns while on duty
F.S. §112.313(6) — Misuse of Public Position/Resources
The Fire Department did not determine whether any of these statutes were violated. Its report specifically states that determining potential violations of state law was outside the scope of its investigation.
The alleged violations will ultimately need to be reviewed by the appropriate authorities. The Florida Elections Commission has jurisdiction over potential violations of Chapters 104 and 106, while the Florida Commission on Ethics can review potential violations of Florida’s ethics laws. Any potential criminal violations may also be referred to the appropriate State Attorney or FDLE.
All information has been thoroughly investigated and reported by the Take Out the Trash Committee of Cape Coral and/or its authorized volunteers!
