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New Hampshire City Settles Firefighter Harassment Suit for $450,000
The City of Concord has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former firefighter, who alleged he was subjected to years of homophobic sexual harassment by co-workers and retaliation when he complained.
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Former Wisconsin Deputy EMS Chief Files Federal Lawsuit Alleging Due Process, Contract, and FMLA Violations
A former deputy EMS chief with the Cambridge Community Fire/EMS District has filed suit in federal court alleging he was unlawfully terminated from his position. Deputy Chief Jason Caira filed suit against the Cambridge Community Fire/EMS District, the Cambridge Community Fire and EMS Commission, and the commission president.
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Federal Court Grants Summary Judgment to Topeka in Discrimination Suit by Former Fire Captain
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former Topeka fire captain who alleged race and disability discrimination after he was not promoted to Division Chief in 2022. Brently Dorsey, who joined the Topeka Fire Department claimed Topeka discriminated against him on the basis of race and disability, constructively discharged him, and failed to accommodate his medical condition.
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9th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Snohomish Firefighters’ Religious Accommodation Lawsuit Over Vaccine Mandate
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has upheld a lower court ruling in favor of Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue in a lawsuit filed in 2022 by eight firefighters who challenged the department’s denial of their requests for religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
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Alabama Supreme Court Affirms Immunity for Town in Volunteer Firefighter Case
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that the Town of Cedar Bluff is immune from liability for the alleged acts or omissions of its volunteer firefighters under Alabama’s Volunteer Service Act. The decision stems from a 2017 vehicle accident that claimed the life of Susan Bonner.
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Fire Law Roundup for September 1, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 1, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a decision by the Ohio Court of Appeals to reinstated a defamation claim filed by a former fire chief; a federal court decision concluding that the City of Cincinnati violated the due process rights of former Fire Chief Michael Washington when it terminated him in 2023; a lawsuit filed by a former Cary, North Carolina, firefighter alleging disability, race, and ethnicity discrimination; criminal charges brought against a Wausau Fire Department division chief for stealing controlled substances; and a class action suit brought by the city…
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Ohio Appeals Court Reinstates Defamation Claim by Former Port Clinton Fire Chief
The Ohio Court of Appeals has reinstated a defamation claim filed by the former fire chief of Port Clinton while upholding the dismissal of his remaining claims for wrongful termination. Kent Johnson, who had served with the Port Clinton FD since 1992 and as fire chief since 2008, was placed on administrative leave in June 2023 following allegations of sexual harassment.
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La Crosse Sues Fire Truck Manufacturers Alleging Antitrust Conspiracy to Raise Prices
The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin has filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against several major fire apparatus manufacturers, alleging they conspired to suppress competition, restrict supply, and drive up the cost of fire trucks. The case was filed on August 20, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
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Federal Court Issues Ruling in Lawsuit Filed by Former Cincinnati Fire Chief
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has ruled that the City of Cincinnati violated the due process rights of former Fire Chief Michael Washington when City Manager Sheryl Long summarily terminated him in March, 2023.
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North Carolina Firefighter’s Discrimination Suit Removed to Federal Court
A lawsuit filed by a former Cary, North Carolina, firefighter in Wake County Superior Court alleging disability, race, and ethnicity discrimination has been removed to federal court. Dail Hernandez, who is identified in the suit as a 47-year-old Hispanic male, filed suit against the City of Cary and the Cary Fire Department.
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Wausau EMS Division Chief Accused of Stealing Painkillers
A division chief with the Wausau Fire Department has been charged in connection with the theft of controlled substances from the department’s supply. Jared J. Thompson, 46, serves as the division chief of emergency medical services.
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Fire Law Roundup for August 25, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 25, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the adoption of a Firefighter Bill of Rights in Fayetteville, Arkansas; the filing of a civil claim against the Mayor of Los Angeles by the former Fire Chief alleging defamation and retaliation; a ruling by the Fourth Circuit upholding in part and denying in part a lower court ruling in a case involving the discipline of a Lynchburg, VA firefighter; a lawsuit fired by a building owner against a Massachusetts fire captain and city over a fire code citation; and criminal charges brought against a…
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Fayetteville Adopts Firefighter Bill of Rights
The Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously last week to adopt a Firefighter Bill of Rights, making Fayetteville the first municipality in Arkansas to do so. The ordinance was enacted on August 19, 2025.
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Former LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley Files Civil Claim Against Mayor Karen Bass
Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has filed a civil claim against Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles. The filing, dated August 20, 2025, is a tort claim—a required procedural step before any lawsuit can be brought against a government entity.
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