Sexual Harassment

A Washington firefighter has filed suit claiming he was sexually harassed during his fire academy training by an instructor. Keanan Metcalfe filed suit in Snohomish County Superior Court naming the City of Everett, Snohomish County, Snohomish County Fire Protection, South ...

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An Illinois fire lieutenant who claims he was retaliated against after reporting sexually harassing behavior in his department, has filed suit alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, and whistleblower violations. Steven Edwards filed suit against the Mount Prospect Fire Department, three chiefs and the HR Director.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 8, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a New Jersey lawsuit alleging firefighters responded to a fatal fire after drinking at a local event; a ruling that dismissed a lawsuit challenging Los ...

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An Iowa City firefighter who has been on unpaid leave since 2021 has filed suit alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. Sadie McDowell filed suit in Johnson County District Court claiming she has been the victim of offensive behavior for most of her career.

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Two chief officers in the Tulsa Fire Department have filed suit claiming they were passed over for promotion because of their gender, and retaliated against after they complained. Greta Hurt and Julie Lynn filed suit in US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma alleging a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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A former Wisconsin firefighter has filed suit claiming she was sexually harassed and then retaliated against once she complained. Megan Tautges claims the harassment and retaliation she suffered during her tenure with the Greendale Fire Department became intolerable, forcing her to resign.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 11, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss an Indiana lawsuit alleging gender discrimination by a female EMT alleging male firefighters were punished less harshly; manslaughter charges against a dispatcher for refusing to ...

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A firefighter in Texas who was demoted and fired after he complained about sexually harassing behavior by his fire chief, has filed suit claiming retaliation. Ryan Horton filed suit today naming the Klein Volunteer Fire Department and Harris County Emergency Service District # 16 as defendants.

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In the episode of Fire Law Roundup for June 13, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a sexual harassment case involving a volunteer fire department; a collective bargaining case on military leave; a discrimination suit by a firefighter over an interracial marriage; a unilateral change to a COVID sick leave policy; and the settlement of a LODD suit brought against the manufacturer of gas piping that ruptured starting a fire.

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The US DOJ has filed suit against town-village of Harrison and two fire departments within the town accusing them sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. The suit stems for the treatment of former firefighter Angela Bommarito by the town, its police chief, and two fire companies.

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A lawsuit filed by the husband of a firefighter who committed suicide allegedly due to work-related gender-based discrimination, has survive a motion to dismiss. Daniel Zaboroski filed suit last year as the executor for the estate of his wife, Nicole Hladik.

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A fire inspector with the Orlando Fire Department has filed suit alleging harassment and discrimination on account of his sexual orientation. Theodore M. Washington, II filed suit in US District Court for the Middle District of Florida alleging violations of state and federal discrimination law.

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The City of Chicago’s OIG has completed a follow-up report on its 2021 audit of the Chicago Fire Department’s discrimination and sexual harassment policies. The OIG concluded that while the policies themselves met the requirements of the law, they were insufficient to fully protect members who are vulnerable to discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

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Two members of an Ontario fire department are no longer with the department following allegations of sexual harassment that led to a civil lawsuit, and the resignation of the fire chief. Their departure appears to be associated with a civil suit filed earlier this year by two female firefighters from the Leduc Fire Department alleging they were exposed to systemic harassment, bullying and discrimination.

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