Fire Law Roundup

Fire Law Roundup for March 9, 2026

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 9, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit out of Washington that may reach the SU Supreme Court of the issue of accommodation of firefighters’ religious beliefs; the $1.25 million settlement of an FLSA overtime suit involving battalion chiefs in California; a ruling allowing a First Amendment retaliation suit by a fired fire chief in North Carolina to proceed; a ruling allowing a First Amendment retaliation suit by a battalion chief in California to proceed; and a decision dismissing a civil rights lawsuit filed by the families of three fallen Baltimore City firefighters and a fourth firefighter who was seriously injured in a 2022 rowhouse collapse.

Firefighters Seek More Time to Petition U.S. Supreme Court in Vaccine Accommodation Case

California Battalion Chiefs Settle FLSA Overtime Dispute for $937,000

North Carolina Fire Chief’s Retaliation and Defamation Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss

CA Federal Court Allows Battalion Chief’s First Amendment Retaliation Claim to Proceed Against Fire Chief

Maryland Federal Court Dismisses Baltimore Firefighter LODD Lawsuit

Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 50 years of fire service experience and 40 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. Besides his law degree, he has a MS in Forensic Psychology. 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.

Related Articles

Back to top button