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

Tag Archives: Mayor Emily Styron

Court Upholds Need for Council Approval to Remove Indiana Fire Chief

The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling by Boone County Superior Court that under local law, the mayor of Zionsville cannot terminate the fire chief, nor redefine the chief's duties, revise the chief’s job description, or demote the chief without the approval of the town council.

Mayor Sues Council Over Blocked Demotion of Fire Chief

An Indiana mayor has filed suit against her city council challenging their authority to block her demotion of the fire chief. Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron filed suit yesterday after the town council voted unanimously not to demote Fire Chief James Vangorder. Such demotions require council approval.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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