Burning Question on Overtime Training

Today’s burning question: I am a newly appointed fire chief, and have some grave concerns about how the city is calculating firefighter overtime. When are you going to have your FLSA class in [my state]? I need some answers and the city’s attorney doesn’t seem to understand our issues.

Answer: Unfortunately we can only deliver the FLSA class three times a year, once on the East Coast, once in the Mid-West, and once in the West. I wish we could do it more frequently, but given the busy schedules of Bill Maccarone, Brian Massatt and myself, it is just not something we can do more frequently.

The class really requires all three of us to deliver. Ask folks who have been through it.

Look at it this way – the longer you wait to have your questions answered, the more the problem becomes yours and not your predecessors. Even waiting til December for the class in the Western states is unnecessary – as we have two classes coming up in May.

BTW – bring your attorney. He or she can earn Continuing Legal Education credits, depending on the state. Minnesota approved 21 CLE credits and RI is awarding 24 credits!

 

Join us at one of our upcoming FLSA for Fire Departments conferences

May 8-10, 2018Minneapolis, MN hosted by the SBM Fire Department    Details/Register
May 30-Jun 1, 2018Providence, RI hosted by Fire Law Group   Details/Register
Seats still available for both classes

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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