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Federal Court Denies Request to Seal FDNY EMS Officer’s Disciplinary History in Discrimination Suit
A federal judge has denied a request by an FDNY EMS officer to seal portions of a prior court opinion that discussed her disciplinary record. The ruling, issued October 15, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, came in a long-running discrimination and civil rights case involving FDNY’s promotional practices for EMS officers
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Tennessee Supreme Court Reverses Award of Disability Pension Benefits to Chattanooga Firefighter
The Tennessee Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling that granted disability pension benefits to a Chattanooga firefighter diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case centered on whether the firefighter’s traumatic experiences were “unexpected” within the meaning of the city’s pension policy.
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Florida Firefighter Sues City and Union Over Mandatory Medical Examination
A South Pasadena, Florida firefighter has filed suit against the City of South Pasadena and his labor union, alleging he was unlawfully ordered him to undergo a medical examination as a condition of continued employment, and then terminated in retaliation for complaining. Nathaniel Griffin filed suit against the city and IAFF Local 747.
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Fire Law Roundup for October 13, 2025
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for October 13, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a decision by Escambia County commissioners to send $18 million in unpaid EMS bills to collections; the termination of a Kentucky union president; the agreement to settle the 2 year old lawsuit brought by the IAFF against the NFPA over standards related to PFAS in PPE; a suit by a Virginia firefighter alleging his leukemia was the result of PFAS in PPE; and a discrimination suit brought by a San Jose civil engineer. Florida EMS Agency Seeks to Recoup Nearly $18 Million in Unpaid EMS…
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Florida EMS Agency Seeks to Recoup Nearly $18 Million in Unpaid EMS Bills
Escambia County commissioners voted to send $17,968,811.56 in unpaid EMS bills to collections. The unpaid debt, which accumulated over several years, represents charges for ambulance transports provided by Escambia County Emergency Medical Services.
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Kentucky Fire Captain and Union President Terminated Following City Commission Hearing
The Paducah City Commission has voted unanimously to terminate Captain Nathan Torian from the Paducah Fire Department following a nine-hour disciplinary hearing. Captain Torian, a 22-year veteran of the department, also serves as president of IAFF Local 168, a position he has held since 2017.
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IAFF and NFPA File Joint Stipulation to Dismiss PPE PFAS Lawsuit
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have formally ended their legal dispute over firefighter protective gear standards related to PFAS.
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San Jose Fire Department Engineer Files Suit Alleging Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
A civil engineer with the San Jose Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention has filed suit against the department and an assistant chief, alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on race and gender. Su-Yin Chou filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior Court on September 29, 2025.
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Virginia Firefighter Sues PPE Manufacturers Over Leukemia
A Richmond, Virginia, firefighter has filed suit against multiple manufacturers of firefighter protective clothing and related chemical companies, alleging that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in his turnout gear caused him to develop leukemia. The case, originally filed in the Virginia Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, was recently removed to federal court by 3M Company.
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Two Youngstown Fire Captains File Defamation Suit Against Mayor Brown
Two captains with the Youngstown Fire Department have filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, alleging that public comments he made to the press falsely portrayed them as racists and damaged their reputations.
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Local Governments Sue DHS and FEMA Over New Grant Conditions
A coalition of cities, counties, and fire agencies from across California, Washington, and Arizona has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, challenging new requirements tied to federal disaster preparedness and emergency management grants.
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