Nearly a dozen firefighters and paramedics were fired, and four are facing criminal charges, after a 19-year-old rookie Florida firefighter was allegedly whipped and waterboarded in a violent hazing incident.

The teen firefighter told authorities he was hazed Nov. 26 during his second-ever shift at Marion County Fire Rescue’s Fire Station 21, nicknamed the "friendship" station, after colleagues tried to force him to unlock his phone to watch a viral video he posted on TikTok.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said the incident began when four city employees at the firehouse wanted access to a TikTok video from the rookie and "chased him down" in the parking lot.

"Once they caught him, they removed his pants, took his belt, then began to strike him on the backside with that belt," Woods said during a news conference. "The phone was taken … While they were trying to get into the phone, they took it even a little bit further. They removed his underwear, and then again, began to strike him on his backside, on his bare skin."

Woods said the rookie was dragged through the parking lot, at which point someone retrieved a water bottle and a towel, and waterboarded him three times.

"The victim fought and refused to cooperate and made it abundantly clear to each of them that this was outside what he thought, maybe, could be perceived as something minor, and each of them should have known it," Woods said. "Unfortunately, they took it to this level."

Investigative interviews, transcripts and documents obtained by accessory to robbery.

Bradley, who is accused of taking the rookie's phone and videotaping the assault, acknowledged roughhousing was common at the station, but told investigators some of the employees "went way too far," noting "that's past what they normally do as a joke," according to a video interview recorded by authorities.

Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said during the news conference the incident was a "disturbing violation of everything that this profession stands for."

"What occurred was unacceptable, inexcusable and fundamentally contrary to the core values of our fire department," Banta said. "Let me be absolutely clear, these individuals involved in this incident forfeited their right to wear the uniform the moment they chose an act and manner that endangered, harmed and betrayed a fellow firefighter. Their behavior does not reflect who we are and what we stand for in our community."

Banta added that, outside the ongoing criminal case, the fire department is reviewing the investigation completed by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, which "may include the actions or inactions of others who may have been aware and or present during this incident."

If additional policy violations are identified, Banta said further administrative actions will follow.

Investigations by the fire department and sheriff's office remain ongoing.