An Orlando City Commissioner says she's pressing charges against a former city firefighter who made an audio recording of her during an emergency call.

Former Orlando Fire Department firefighter Josh Granada said he pulled out his phone and made a 30-second audio recording of a patient during a distress call in August. He said he was fired two days before Thanksgiving for making the recording.

The woman on the recording turned out to be Commissioner Regina Hill.

"Recorded a private citizen that was protected under HIPAA, went back to the fire station, laughed about it with his buddies did not go to management if felt he was threatened or needed protection," said Hill. 

During a news conference Friday, Hill said her privacy has been destroyed.

"Recording a patient without knowledge is a violation of the city’s policy but also the state and federal policy. This is a very serious matter and should be separated from the Pulse tragedy," Hill said. "What Mr. Josh Granada did was against the law and he will be fully prosecuted if I got anything to do with it."

Granada's attorney, Geoff Bichler, released a statement regarding Commissioner Hill's allegations.

"Mr. Granada will defend himself against the baseless and defamatory allegations raised by Commissioner Hill during her ill advised press conference. He welcomes a complete investigation from law enforcement and/or any independent fact finding body," said Bichler.

"Commissioner Hill should stop trying to distract the taxpayers from her own shameful behavior with scurrilous allegations against a decorated hero, and take responsibility for the events leading to this wrongful termination. It's time for the true story to be told here free of Commissioner Hill's self serving spin."

Earlier this week, Granada called for his job back, blaming post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Pulse mass shooting for his actions.

Granada's lawyer, Geoff Bichler, said his termination was unjustified.

Granada said PTSD is not recognized at the Orlando Fire Department.  

"My actions on the day in question were only done to protect my crew after I felt threatened," said Granada.

"This was purely retaliatory on the part of the department in light of claims that were made for medical care for legitimately diagnosed PTSD," said Bichler.  

Granada said he didn't get time off to receive treatment, a claim the fire department says it was not aware of.

Hill said his actions the night of the Pulse shooting do not justify the recording of a patient receiving medical care.

Check back for updates on this developing story.


Joshua Granada was fired just before Thanksgiving over an audio recording he made. He says he's been suffering from PTSD from the Pulse nightclub shooting. (Spectrum News 13)