Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: abuse of power

Speaking With News Media Leads to Termination of 2 Texas Firefighters

Two Texas firefighters have been dismissed after speaking to a local reporter about what they claim is an abuse of power and hostile environment by a local police chief who is serving as acting president of the local volunteer fire company. Lieutenant Drew Cizek and Benjamin Gullet say they were terminated from the Central Bell County Fire & Rescue

Cincinnati District Chief Appealing Trouble-Maker Lawsuit

A Cincinnati district chief who twice reported misconduct by other chief officers and thereafter was passed over for promotion, is appealing a ruling by a US District Court in favor of the city. District Chief Raffel Prophett filed suit last year accusing City Manager Harry Black of labeling him as a trouble-maker and blocking his promotion to Assistant Chief.

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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