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Podcast 30: EMS Billing and Medicare Medicaid Fraud
In this episode, Curt talks with attorney Kevin Fairlie about the challenges facing fire departments who bill for EMS transports. Kevin’s law practice concentrates on health care related topics, but a recent spate of federal investigations across the country into fire department EMS billing practices has led to a shift toward representing fire departments.
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FBI Investigating Massachusetts Fire Department
The Martha’s Vineyard Times is reporting that FBI agents have been on the island recently investigating the Oak Bluffs Fire Department. According to a source named by the Times, the investigation is looking into Medicare and Medicaid billing issues. The Times is also reporting that subpoenas have been issued to fire department employees.
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Ohio Fire District Moves To Force The Closure of Motel
An Ohio fire district has filed suit to close an area hotel due to fire code violations. Cardinal Joint Fire District Deputy Chief Matt Rarick filed suit last week seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction prohibiting the continued occupancy of the Canfield Colonial Motel.
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Podcast 29 Firefighter Overtime
In this episode, Curt and Bill Maccarone expound on Curt’s January, 2020 article in Firehouse Magazine addressing the most common ways that fire departments are being sued for overtime violations. In the podcast, they go beyond the top five reasons in explaining the overtime issues that are leading to most lawsuits.
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Birmingham Firefighter Sues Over Unsafe Condition of Station
A firefighter in Birmingham, Alabama has filed suit claiming conditions inside Station 27 violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Gary Michael Horsley Jr. claims the city has “condoned and tolerated unsafe and unhealthy working conditions” that include “asbestos exposure, mold exposure, diesel exhaust exposure... "
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Year in Review: The Top Fire Law Stories of 2019
Happy New Year and Welcome 2020! Today I wanted to review the Fire Law stories that I think are the most important. We will look that them in terms lawsuits filed, cases to watch, judgment and settlements, significant legal rulings, and of course YCMTSU.
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Overtime Regs to Change in 2020
The US Department of Labor has formally issued new regulations that will change the way the Fair Labor Standards Act will be applied starting January 1, 2020. Two of the most important changes are an increase in the minimum salary for “white-collar” employees and changes to the calculation of an employee’s overtime rate.
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NY Fire District Sued By Applicant
An applicant for membership in the Mezeppa Fire Engine Co. #2 and the Nyack Fire Department has filed suit against the Nyack Joint Fire District Board of Commissioners alleging they are illegally blocking his joining the fire companies. Robert Kolessar, Jr. filed suit last week in the Supreme Court for Rockland County.
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Virginia Supreme Court Rules City Not Liable for Inoperable Hydrant at Fatal Fire
The Virginia Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Petersburg is immune from liability for the death of a man in a house fire in 2017. The father of Corey Demetrius Massenburg filed a wrongful-death suit against the city claiming the failure of the closest fire hydrant to Corey’s house contributed to his death.
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California Sexual Harassment Case Settled for $335k
A California firefighter who claims she endured years of sexual harassment has agreed to settle her federal lawsuit for $335,000. LisaMarie Mason sued the El Dorado Hills Fire Department and former Fire Chief Dave Roberts last year.
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Podcast #28: Survey of Our Biggest Liabilities
In today’s episode, Curt discusses the results of a survey of legal proceedings in fire departments with firefighter-attorney Bill Maccarone. The raw data from the survey is provided below. My recommendation is that you view the data while listening to the podcast, as during the podcast we do not mention all of the actual numbers.
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