Florida Fire District Sued For Viewpoint Discrimination

A Florida man has filed suit against a fire district claiming that his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when the department’s public information officer blocked him from the department’s Facebook page. Randy Scott filed against the Lehigh Acres Fire Control And Rescue District and PIO Katie Heck suit this week.

First Amendment Photography Followup

Today’s burning question: Regarding your post on violating the First Amendment rights of firefighters by banning picture taking while on duty, a government agency would likely have the right to ban personnel from another governmental agency from filming at their incident scene for the same reasons you mentioned that an employer can ban them, and also because of a compelling interest in maintaining the safety of the citizens and their employees. Am I missing something?

California City Pays $3.7 Million To Settle Suit With Firefighters

A lawsuit filed in 2013 by a firefighters’ union that accused the fire chief, the city manager, the mayor and city councilmembers with “ongoing retaliation, harassment, and discrimination” has been settled for $3.7 million.

Settlement Announced in Oregon Wrongful Termination Suit

An Oregon fire chief who filed a wrongful termination suit has agreed to accept a $55,000 settlement. Chief Mike Balzer claims he was terminated by Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District because his wife posted comments on social media that were critical of the district’s board.

Court Strikes Down Police Department Social Media Policy In Ho-Hum Non-Precedent Setting But Widely Discussed Decision

Today’s burning question: I just saw that the 4th Circuit struck down a police department’s social media policy based on the First Amendment. I live in Nevada, which is part of the 9th Circuit. Will that ruling be binding here? Answer: Boy, there sure is a lot of interest in that 4th Circuit case. I have received over 25 emails and social media contacts TODAY ALONE.

Michigan Firefighter Claims Retaliation for Support of Two-Hatter Protection Law

A Michigan firefighter who was fired last week has responded with a federal lawsuit accusing the city, the city manager and the city’s public safety director of violating his 1st and 14th Amendment rights. Thomas Saladino was a 23-year veteran of the Wyoming Fire Department

Colorado and Fire District Sued for $60 Million Over Black Forest Fire

Sixty Colorado residents have filed a pro-se lawsuit against the state, El Paso County, and the Black Forest Fire District over the Black Forest Fire that occurred in June, 2013. The fire, which the suit claims began in part due to a controlled burn, consumed 15,000 acres, destroyed over 500 homes, and killed two people.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: 1st Amendment