Volunteers

Pink Collar Theft From North Carolina VFD

An administrative assistant has been charged with stealing over $200,000 from a North Carolina volunteer fire department. Amanda Christine Lamb, 46, has been charged with embezzlement from the Lower Currituck County Volunteer Fire Department.

Read More »

Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Public Records Violation

A volunteer firefighter in New York is facing criminal charges for allegedly giving himself and family members credit for emergency responses they did not go to. James P. Burns, 27, is accused of entering false information into Cutchogue Fire Department’s electronic record-keeping system on September 30, 2023.

Read More »

Suit Challenges Fire District’s Budget Increase

A tax increase that more than doubled the budget of a fire district in New York, is being challenged by four taxpayers who claim the district failed to comply with the law. Crystal Myers, Beth Salisbury, Eric Pappa and Vicki Parvese filed suit against the Richland Fire District in Oswego County Supreme Court.

Read More »

Ohio VFD Found in Contempt of Court for Failing to Produce Public Records

An Ohio magistrate has recommended that a volunteer fire department be held in contempt for failing to comply with a court order to produce certain financial records as part of a public records request. The Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department had previously been ordered to produce those records as part of a public records suit filed by Christine Lea Lerussi.

Read More »

Louisiana Firefighter Charged With Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer

A volunteer firefighter in Louisiana is facing charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer after he entered two establishments wearing his fire department uniform and a gun, and identified himself as an arson investigator. Michael Shane Miller was arrested by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office following the January 12, 2024 incident.

Read More »

Neighborhood Fire Contract Wars

Every once in a while, a would-be litigant takes a “shot over the bow” of a neighbor mutual aid fire department when the continued service of the fire company is on the line. A trend across the nation appears to involve municipal consideration of other fire companies to serve the territory traditionally served by the complaining fire company.

Read More »

Indiana Firefighter Charged With Impersonating A Police Officer

An Indiana firefighter who claims he stopped to assist a motorist whose vehicle was damaged, has been charged with four felonies after he reportedly pointed a gun at the driver after being informed by dispatch the man was “wanted” and could be armed. Yorktown firefighter Derek J. Rains is charged of criminal confinement, criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, and impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

Read More »

Jefferson Parish Investigation Finds Fire Companies Misspent $8.5 Million

The Office of Inspector General for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has issued a report that identified $28 million in questionable spending by volunteer fire companies, including $8.5 million that the OIG concluded was misspent. The report covers a ten-year period between 2013 and 2023, and goes on to recommend some major changes, including the consolidation of fire districts and volunteer fire companies.

Read More »

NC County Sues Volunteer Fire Department

A North Carolina county has filed suit against a volunteer fire company alleging it breached its contract to provide services by failing to meet minimum performance requirements. Pender County has asked the court to issue an injunction against the Shiloh-Columbia Volunteer Fire Department.

Read More »

Volunteer Firefighters in Two States Facing Multiple Arson Charges

Volunteer firefighters in two states, Pennsylvania and Iowa, are facing criminal charges that accuse them of involvement in multiple arsons. In Pennsylvania, Andrew Bischofis has been arrested by Pennsylvania State Police on charges he was involved with setting four building fires between September 30 and October 1, 2023.

Read More »