Discrimination

A Massachusetts firefighter-applicant who was initially denied employment due to problems with his background report, has survived a motion to dismiss his suit against the contractor who performed the background investigation.

Read More »

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a retired Florida firefighter does not have standing to sue her former employer for disability discrimination because the discriminatory act occurred after her employment concluded. The suit was brought by former Sanford firefighter Karyn Stanley, who retired on a non-line of duty disability pension in 2018.

Read More »

An Ohio firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit accusing her fire chief of sexual assault and harassment. Rebekah Huskey claims that Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson engaged in longstanding pattern of harassment dating back years.

Read More »

A Peekskill, New York firefighter of Middle-Eastern ancestry has filed suit against the city, the firefighters’ union, and the fire chief alleging race and ethnicity discrimination. Robert Pappas claims he was passed over three times for promotion to lieutenant, and when he complained he was retaliated against by being denied injured-on-duty status for a work-related injury.

Read More »

An African American recruit firefighter in Washington state who had a noose placed around his neck by a fellow recruit, has filed suit against the department, several officers and the offender. Elijah Page filed suit in federal court against the Clark County Fire District 6, three chief officers, a captain and former recruit John Erickson.

Read More »

A female recruit who was terminated by Atlanta Fire Rescue in June of 2023, has filed suit claiming she was sexually harassed by a 70-plus year-old fire instructor. Amber Ellison filed suit last week in US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Read More »

Another Topeka, Kansas fire captain has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit over not being promoted. Captain Barbara Hack claims that she was passed over for the same promotions that Captain Brently Dorsey filed suit over.

Read More »

A Topeka, Kansas fire captain has filed suit alleging race and disability discrimination; retaliation; and a violation of the Family Medical Leave Act. Captain Brently Dorsey claims he was passed over for numerous promotions, denied the opportunity for reassignment to positions for which he was eligible for and was ultimately forced to take an early retirement in 2022.

Read More »

The union president of IAFF Local 3214 has filed suit in federal court alleging the Mountain View Fire Protection District fired him in retaliation for his union activities, and did so in a way that violated his Constitutional Rights. Benjamin Carter was fired on March 21, 2023.

Read More »

A Wichita fire captain who sued the city alleging race discrimination and retaliation, has had his federal claims dismissed. Captain Mark Jordan will now have to decide whether to proceed in state court on two state law counts.

Read More »

The Buffalo Fire Department is reportedly facing a new discrimination lawsuit brought by three former recruits. According to WIVB, the suit was brought by a Black man, a Hispanic man and a “Polish” man in his 40s alleging race, ethnicity and age discrimination.

Read More »

The US Attorney’s Office has announced it has both filed suit against the Baltimore County Fire Department for sexual harassment, and simultaneously settled the suit through a pre-arranged settlement agreement. The suit filed today alleges BCFD mishandled an investigation into the sharing of inappropriate photos of female firefighters.

Read More »

A fire captain with a California fire department has filed suit claiming the refusal to allow him to return to full-duty following a non-work-related injury constitutes disability discrimination under state law. Joseph Basinski filed suit against the Valley Center Fire Protection District alleging two counts of discrimination.

Read More »

A fire district in Washington state is scheduling a hearing to discuss a disciplinary action against a female firefighter who has a sexual harassment lawsuit pending against the district. Samantha Ward filed suit against the Benton County Fire District #1 in Benton County Superior Court.

Read More »