Tag Archives: termination

Fire Law Roundup for December 9, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for December 9, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges brought against an unauthorized responder who interfered with firefighting operations in Ramapo, New York; the settlement of a third reverse discrimination suit in ...

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Fire Law Roundup for May 1, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 1, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a suit brought by a woman who was injured by a fire hose being dragged by a Dallas fire truck; a suit by the former ...

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Fire Law Roundup for January 16, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 16, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a decision by the Supreme Court of Washington that the public duty doctrine, only applies to statutorily created duties, not common law duties;  a decision ...

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Fired South Carolina Fire Chief Sues Mayor for Defamation

A former South Carolina fire chief who was terminated in 2020 has filed a defamation suit against the mayor who fired him. Mark Redd was the fire chief in Wagener. He was terminated by Mayor Michael Miller after serving the town as a volunteer firefighter for over 40 years, the last 23 of which as fire chief.

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Burning Question on At Will Employees and the Need for Just Cause

Today’s burning question: Several of my chief officers persist in asking why we can’t simply fire firefighters who are at-will employees. I have attempted to explain that termination without some basis (not necessarily just cause, but some justifiable legal basis) isn’t wise. They don’t seem to grasp what I tell them. Can you add anything that I can share with them to further my position?

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Use of Racial Slur Warrants Termination of Boston Jake

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld the termination of a Boston firefighter for his use of the N-word in the firehouse while off-duty. Gregory R. LaVallee, a 14-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, was terminated on March 15, 2019 over an incident that occurred on December 13, 2018.

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Fire Law Survey Results

Thank you to all who took the time to respond to our initial Fire Law Survey. The following results are preliminary, based on just over 400 responses. I will leave the survey open for another few days, and update the results.

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Fired Texas Cadets Seek Reinstatement

In August, the San Antonio Fire Department took disciplinary action against six cadets for allegedly drinking during a lunch break. Four of the cadets resigned and two were fired. Two of the six cadets are now talking about what happened, and have indicated they are asking for their jobs back.

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Chambersburg Battle Ends in Settlement

The three year battle between the Greater Chambersburg Area Paid Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1813 and the Borough of Chambersburg has finally been resolved with word of an agreement that reinstates a wrongfully terminated firefighter/union vice-president and settles numerous pending civil actions, unfair labor practice charges, grievances and appeals.

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Texas Firefighter Fired Again

A Texas firefighter who was fired in 2010 has managed to have himself fired again.  McAllen firefighter Robert Vargas reportedly used a sick day earlier this year in order to work as a substitute teacher. According to a local newspaper, ...

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