Weblogs

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.

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A complaint on social media about a fire truck stopping and removing a Black Lives Matter banner has prompted an investigation by the Chicago Fire Department. The complaint was posted Saturday on Nextdoor by Dr. Adele Cobbs.

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The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld the termination of an outspoken African American firefighter from Boston who was terminated for his offensive social media posts. Octavius Rowe, a 15 year veteran, was fired on April 30, 2018 after a lengthy investigation.

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A veteran Boston firefighter has been suspended over a social media post that depicted a man carrying a decapitated head. Octavius Rowe, a 15 year veteran member of the Boston Fire Department, was placed on paid administrative leave on October 2, 2017.

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The US Supreme Court has denied the request of Howard County Battalion Chief Kevin Buker to consider an appeal of his termination in 2013. Chief Buker was fired following a series of Facebook posts that began over the gun-control debate

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A Facebook post about an area Mosque has led to the suspension of a firefighter who is also an elected fire commissioner. Last week, a Facebook user named Jerry Omara responded to Newsday coverage about plans to add a second story to a mosque in East Meadow with an inflammatory post.

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Today’s burning question: Can I block someone from posting on our FD Facebook page, or at least hide the comments from public view, because they have been posting derogatory comments ? Answer: yes and no. Government cannot censor members of the public. Government censorship violates the 1st Amendment.

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A former arson investigator for the Charlotte Fire Department was awarded $1.4 million today in a whistleblower lawsuit against the City of Charlotte. Crystal Eschert, a former arson investigator for the city was fired after she voiced safety concerns over a new fire department building.

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An Iowa firefighter who was reprimanded for posting a sarcastic comment on social media last September, has lost his appeal to the city council. Cedar Falls firefighter Shane Farmer claims he was “unjustly disciplined” for his post that encouraged residents to heed evacuation warnings during near-record floods.

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In this episode Curt and retired Battalion Chief John Cagno discuss cyberbullying in the fire service. The discussion ranges from legal considerations to leadership responsibilities.

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The US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down an important decision on social media and the First Amendment, and in the process upheld the termination of Howard County Battalion Chief Kevin Buker over his social media postings.

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In this episode, Curt and Bill Maccarone continue their discussion about FLSA overtime issues in the fire service with an introduction to the so-called white-collar exemptions that allow employees classified as executives, administrative or professionals to be exempt from minimum wage and maximum hours requirements.

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Today’s burning question: I just saw that the 4th Circuit struck down a police department’s social media policy based on the First Amendment. I live in Nevada, which is part of the 9th Circuit. Will that ruling be binding here? Answer: Boy, there sure is a lot of interest in that 4th Circuit case. I have received over 25 emails and social media contacts TODAY ALONE.

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A Michigan firefighter has been terminated over racially charged comments he posted on Facebook. Ryan Hudson, 40, of the Belding Fire Department, was fired yesterday for comments he posted in reply to a post that supported San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback ...

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