Tag Archives: Honolulu Fire Department

Honolulu Facing Suit Over Fatal Ambulance Fire

The City of Honolulu is facing a lawsuit by the family of a 91-year-old man who burned to death in an ambulance during transport. Fred Kaneshiro died in the August 24, 2022 explosion and fire that investigators concluded was related to a faulty oxygen regulator.

Fire Law Roundup – February 28, 2022

In this episode, Brad and Curt discuss a sexual harassment lawsuit out of Hartford, Connecticut; a $100 million lawsuit filed by three Dallas firefighters injured in an explosion; a lawsuit against Sacramento Metro fire over a boating accident; a lawsuit against Honolulu fire over a dropped patient; and a wrongful death lawsuit against an SCBA manufacturer and those who maintained them.

Daughter Sues Honolulu Fire and EMS For Dropping Her Mother

The daughter of a woman who died after hitting her head while be transferred on a sheet by Honolulu Fire Department and EMS personnel, has filed suit alleging their negligence caused her great emotional upset. Paulia Gilbert filed suit in Hawaii’s First Circuit Court.

Fire Alarm Company Sues Fire Department For Discrimination

A fire alarm company in Honolulu is suing the City and County of Honolulu and five named fire inspectors claiming the inspectors discriminated against the company because of its owner’s religion and national origin. Ohana Control Systems, Inc. and its president Michael Amir Borochov filed suit in US District Court alleging a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection requirement and an assortment of state law claims.

Unions Plan Lawsuits To Block Vaccine Mandates

Firefighter unions along with other public employee unions in Hawaii and Ohio are preparing to file suits to block mandatory COVID vaccinations. In Hawaii, firefighter and police unions seek to block Governor David Ige’s emergency proclamation that city and county workers get vaccinated or submit to testing starting August 16, 2021.

Honolulu Settles LODD Suit for $5 Million

Honolulu has agreed to settle with the family of a firefighter killed during a water rescue training exercise in 2016 by paying $5.25 million. Clifford Meredith Rigsbee died on June 14, 2016 while participating in water rescue training on the southeast shore of Oahu near Diamond Head.

Subsequent Remedial Action and LODD Investigation Reports

Today’s burning question: After a line of duty death, if a fire department takes affirmative steps to improve firefighter safety, aren't those affirmative steps inadmissible against the fire department to show what it should have been doing all along? Does that mean a LODD investigation report cannot be used against the fire department, because it was undertaken in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence?

Family of Honolulu Firefighter Sues Over LODD

The family of a Honolulu firefighter who died last year during a water rescue training exercise, has filed suit against the City and County of Honolulu. Cliff Rigsbee was participating in water rescue training on June 14, 2016 on the southeast shore of Oahu near Diamond Head.

State OSHA Cites Honolulu for Training LODD

The State of Hawaii’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited the Honolulu Fire Department for two OSHA violations following its investigation into the training death of Clifford Riggsbee last June.

Honolulu Fire Confronts Medical Marijuana Test Case

A Honolulu firefighter with a prescription for medical marijuana who tested positive on random testing will keep his job, but must complete counseling and stop using the drug. The unidentified firefighter reportedly has a medical marijuana card and can lawfully possess and use the drug. However, the Hawaii law that legalizes medical marijuana does not require employers to accommodate its use.

Honolulu Ethics Panel Investigating Fire-EMS Merger Contract

Honolulu Ethics Panel Investigating Fire-EMS Merger Contract. The Honolulu Ethics Commission has begun an investigation into the bid process used to select a consultant back in 2010 to help assist with the merger of the Honolulu Fire Department and the ...

Honolulu Captain Claims Whistleblower Violation

A veteran fire captain on the Honolulu Fire Department has filed suit against Fire Chief Kenneth Silva and the department alleging he was retaliated against for raising concerns about a fatal fire. Captain George Kaopuiki filed suit last week in ...