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Oakland Settles Claims from Ghost Ship Fire for $32.7 Million
The City of Oakland has agreed to pay $32.7 million to settle a mass tort suit arising out of the Ghost Ship Fire. The December 2, 2016 fire in a converted warehouse claimed the lives of 36 concert-goers and injured scores of others. The lawsuit alleged that city officials were aware of fire and building code deficiencies in the warehouse but failed to address the problems.
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Heart Attack Victim Sues Fire Department Over Refusal to Transport
A California man who called 911 because he was having a heart attack has filed suit against the Sacramento Fire Department claiming personnel not only refused to transport him, but ridiculed him for “acting like a child.” Anwar Theekri filed suit in Sacramento County Superior Court naming the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Fire Department.
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Trenton Settles Suit with Fire Captain for $1.8 Million
A Trenton fire captain who claims he was wrongfully forced off the job by a battalion chief who operated a promotional prep business, has settled his harassment and retaliation lawsuit for $1.8 million. Captain Michael Strycharz alleges that he was improperly pressured to retire and subjected to a series of disciplinary investigations.
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Connecticut Firefighter and Fire Department Sued for Wrongful Death
A volunteer firefighter and his Connecticut fire department are facing a wrongful death lawsuit arising out of the death of a pedestrian in 2019. John E. Murphy died on March 14, 2019 after being struck by a vehicle driven by Kevin Roman in New Milford, Connecticut.
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Ride-Along Student Sues Claiming He Was Groped By Chicago Firefighter
A paramedic student at Malcolm X College who claims a Chicago firefighter inappropriately touched him and made lewd remarks during a ride-along, has filed suit against the city and the now fired firefighter. Identified in the suit as John Doe, the student alleges that during a ride along on July 20, 2018, FF James Regan grabbed his genitals and suggested they take a shower together.
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Termination of Long Beach NY Firefighter Upheld by Federal Court
A career firefighter in a combination fire department in New York who was terminated after an altercation with volunteer firefighters, has lost his federal court lawsuit. Brian McNamara filed suit in 2016 claiming his termination from the Long Beach Fire Department was connected to his activities as secretary for the Long Beach Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 287.
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Grand Jury Indicts California Fire Chief for Manslaughter
A California fire chief has been indicted for involuntary manslaughter arising out of a 2017 wildland fire that claimed one life. Calaveras County District Attorney Barbara Yook announced the indictment of Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District Fire Chief Michael Ray Dell’Orto.
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Louisiana Firefighter Charged with Arson
A volunteer firefighter in Iberia Parish, Louisiana is facing charges that he set a vacant house on fire on the 4th of July. Kentrelle Beasley, Jr., age 18, was charged with simple arson following an investigation by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office.
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Lansing Firefighter Files Second Race Discrimination Lawsuit
A Lansing firefighter who sued the city last year alleging race discrimination, has filed a separate lawsuit against the mayor, the former interim fire chief, and the former firefighter’s union president. Michael Lynn Jr. filed suit last week in Ingham County Circuit Court naming Mayor Andy Schor, former Interim Chief David Purchase, and former fire union President Eric Weber.
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Ohio Firefighter Sues Drug Task Force
An Ohio firefighter who resigned in May following allegations he was involved in conducting drugs transactions at work, has filed suit against a county drug task force seeking the return of improperly seized personal items. Former Liberty Township Lieutenant Josh Cleland filed suit against the Mahoning County Drug Task Force.
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California Firefighter Files Race Discrimination Suit
A veteran California firefighter who played in NFL has filed suit alleging race discrimination and retaliation. Joseph Echema, a ten-year veteran of the Redwood City Fire Department and a Nigerian immigrant, filed suit in Alameda County Superior Court.
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Fire Law VLOG Disciplinary Challenges with Nicol Juratovac
In this episode, Curt discusses fire service disciplinary challenges with Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac. Nicol, an EFO grad with a law degree, is a 23-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department. Listen as they discuss fire departments who weaponize their disciplinary process, and well as the issue of double jeopardy for disciplinary matters.
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Judge Dismisses Race Discrimination Claims of Hartford Firefighter
A US District Court judge has dismissed the race discrimination claims of a Hartford firefighter, leaving intact for now additional age discrimination claims he also brought. Tony Milledge filed suit last year in US District Court accusing the City of Hartford and the Hartford Fire Department, with race and age discrimination.
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