Florida Firefighter Resigns After Setting A Brother Firefighter On Fire as a Joke

Posted by: Curt Varone January 4, 2011 1 Comment

Apopka firefighter Jason Leblanc, 44, has resigned following the disclosure that he set another firefighter, 25-year-old Jack Shumate, on fire at a holiday party on December 18, 2010. Shumate sustained second degree burns and has not returned to work since the incident.

Leblanc allegedly used lighter fluid to set Shumate’s pants on fire as a joke. Despite his injuries, Shumate has asked that charges not be brought against Leblanc. That appears to be out of his control as Leblanc faces two felony arson charges stemming from the incident. The Apopka Fire Department has launched an internal investigation.

Firefighter resigns after arson charge : MyFoxORLANDO.com

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

Magistrate Refuses to Dismiss Wrongful Termination Suit by Texas Union President

A federal magistrate judge has recommended that a lawsuit brought by a terminated IAFF union president, proceed although the fire chief should be dismissed from the case. The suit was brought by Michael Teague, who was terminated last year by the Pedernales Fire Department (Travis County ESD 8).

Burning Question: Can a Complainant Investigate a Disciplinary Infraction?

Today’s burning question: In a disciplinary investigation, can the lead investigator be the complainant on a case? I was under the impression that the investigator should not also be the complainant. Answer: The general rule is that neither the victim nor the complainant to an alleged disciplinary infraction should be assigned to investigate a disciplinary complaint.