Boston Fire Suspends 54 in EMS Recert Scandal

Posted by: Curt Varone June 24, 2011 0

The Boston Fire Department has suspended 54 firefighters in the wake of a two-state EMS recertification scandal involving  EMTs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The suspensions follow a year-long internal BFD  investigation.

The investigation found that 20 firefighters recertified twice using falsified certifications, and were given  45-day suspensions without pay. The remaining 34 firefighters who falsely recertified once were given 15-day suspensions without pay.

All 54 will have to repay the department for the stipend they were paid to take the course.

Across the region, several firefighters have been charged criminally  (see also) in the scandal, and several civil suits have been filed by firefighters who claim they were wrongly accused.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

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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