Florida Firefighter Files FMLA Suit

A Florida firefighter who was terminated last year is claiming the fire department violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Sergio Valdes was fired by the Greater Naples Fire Rescue on December 28, 2016, the same day he returned from a work related injury.

San Bernardino Settles Nine-Year Dispute With Firefighters

The City of San Bernardino has reached a global settlement with its firefighters, resolving fifteen different legal proceedings ranging from a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuit to several unfair labor practice charges. The estimated price tag of the various actions could have been $40 million.

Stamford Settles Dispute with Volunteers

A longstanding battle between the city of Stamford, Connecticut and one if its remaining volunteer fire companies has been settled. Mayor David Martin signed a new agreement with the Turn of River Fire Department yesterday, ending not only a lawsuit ...

Union Accuses Fire Chief of Harassment and Retaliation

A California firefighters’ union has filed a tort claim against a city, its fire chief, the city manager, the mayor and city councilmembers following what they allege has been “ongoing retaliation, harassment, and discrimination” by the fire chief. The Downey ...

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 ...

FD Resistance to Merger in PA Leads To A Different Merger and a Lawsuit

The hard financial times of the past few years have led many jurisdictions to consider restructuring, consolidating, and merging their fire departments. Nationwide, parts of the country that never considered regionalization before have taken bold steps in an effort to provide a ...

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