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Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a former NH fire chief alleging defamation; an appellate decision sending DC’s no-beard rule case back to district court; a magistrate’s decision recommending the dismissal of a race discrimination suit in Baltimore; al appellate decision in Ohio upholding the dismissal of a wrongful death suit brought by a woman who fell off a fire truck during a funeral; and an appellate decision in NJ allowing firefighters to challenge the way their overtime calculated despite it being prescribed in the collective bargaining…
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NH Chief Alleges Defamation and Conspiracy
A New Hampshire fire chief who was terminated in 2023, has filed suit against two firefighters who accused him of making racist remarks. Former Nottingham Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock filed suit against Francis Bruno, Vash Rosfield, and the Town of Nottingham.
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Appellate Court Sends DC No Beard Rule Case Back to District Court
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has overturned a decision by a district court that refused to find the District of Columbia Fire Department in contempt for instituting a no beard rule. The procedural history of the case is complicated, and the court did not rule on the merits of the case.
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Magistrate Rules Baltimore Discrimination Suit Should be Dismissed
A US District Court Magistrate Judge has ruled that a race discrimination suit filed by a lieutenant with the Baltimore City Fire Department ought to be dismissed. Lt. Mitchell Waters filed suit in 2023 alleging he was targeted by white officers in the department after he had a “verbal exchange” with a female Baltimore County paramedic whose husband is a city fire officer.
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Ohio Fire District Not Liable for Death of Unbelted Passenger
An Ohio appellate court has ruled that firefighters owed no duty to prevent a woman from boarding or riding on a fire truck without a seat belt, because she was an independent adult who assumed that risk. The case was brought following the death of Marguerite Appel who died after she fell out of a Short Creek Joint Fire District engine following a firefighter funeral.
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Fire Law Roundup for January 27, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 27, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the refiling of a LODD suit against Baltimore; a suit by Louisville firefighters claiming the city reneged on an agreement with regard to medical marijuana use; a retaliation suit brought by a San Antonio battalion chief over ADA and GINA issues; manslaughter charges against a Sioux City medic; and an overtime suit brought by firefighters in Colorado. Baltimore LODD Suit Refiled in State Court Baltimore LODD Suit Refiled in State Court Louisville Firefighters File Suit Claiming City Reneged On Medical Cannabis Policy Louisville Firefighters File…
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Baltimore LODD Suit Refiled in State Court
The families of three Baltimore firefighters who died in a 2022 building fire, along with another firefighter who was seriously injured in the same fire, have refiled their suit against the city in state court. The January 24, 2022 fire on Stricker street claimed the lives of Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler, and seriously injured FF John McMaster.
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Louisville Firefighters File Suit Claiming City Reneged On Medical Cannabis Policy
Louisville firefighters have filed suit claiming Metro Government has reneged on an agreement to protect rank-and-file members who lawfully use marijuana from discipline. Louisville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 54 and vice president, Dennis Eggen, filed the action in Jefferson County Circuit Court last week.
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Texas BC Alleges ADA and GINA Retaliation
A battalion chief with the San Antonio Fire Department has filed suit claiming that city has failed to comply with an EEOC Conciliation Agreement related to medical examinations and retaliated against him for his role in filing complaints with the EEOC. Battalion Chief Brian McEnery filed suit today in US District Court.
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Iowa Medic Facing Manslaughter Charges
A medic formerly with the Sioux City Fire and Rescue is facing manslaughter charges following the death of a patient. Deanna LaMere, 46, is charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of James Foster Jr., 26.
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Colorado Firefighters File Class Action FLSA Suit
Three Colorado firefighters have filed a class action lawsuit claiming their department has refused to pay them overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Hunter Richardson, Alec Coscarella, and Jennifer Anderson filed suit today against the Rye Fire Protection District.
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Fire Law Roundup for January 20, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 20, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a whistleblower suit brought by a terminated LAFD chief; a suit by a New Mexico firefighter alleging discrimination and whistleblower retaliation; a Virginia court holding that the widow of a deceased firefighter is not entitled to workers comp death benefits; a former fire chief charged with falsifying his credentials to operate a drone; and an incident in Bridgeport, CT raising Fourth Amendment questions. Whistleblower Suit Filed against LAFD Whistleblower Suit Filed against LAFD New Mexico Firefighter Alleges Gender Discrimination and Whistleblower Retaliation New Mexico Firefighter…
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Whistleblower Suit Filed against LAFD
A former high-ranking civilian employee of the Los Angeles City Fire Department has filed suit claiming she was retaliated against and ultimately terminated for reporting misconduct by the department’s two highest-ranking chiefs. Jenny Park served the LAFD in a position known as Fire Administrator.
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