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

Tag Archives: William S. Bailey

RI Local Again Forced to Sue Town For Relief From Anti-Union Discipline

A Rhode Island IAFF union president who is facing termination for threatening his fire chief with a vote of no confidence, has filed suit claiming his termination constitutes retaliation for his union advocacy, his whistleblower activities, and for exercising his protected free speech rights. Captain David M. McGovern, currently the Acting Union President of Tiverton Firefighters IAFF Local 1703, filed suit in US District Court.

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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