Tag Archives: bridgeport fire department

Fire Law Roundup for April 8, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 8, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss criminal charges brought against a Kansas City MO firefighter who urinated of a colleague’s personal property; a fire chief in Alaska seeking overtime compensation; a ...

Bridgeport Firefighter Accused of Taking Drugs at Incident Scene

A Bridgeport, Connecticut firefighter is facing charges that he took drugs from the scene of a suspected drug overdose last month. Harold Clarke Jr. has been charged with tampering with evidence and interfering with a police officer.

Fire Law Roundup for September 11, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 11, 2023, attorney Bill Podszus and Curt discuss a discrimination suit against the Buffalo Fire Department; the ruling upholding the termination of a Bridgeport firefighter for “bizarre behavior”; a wrongful death ...

Termination of Connecticut Firefighter for Bizarre Behavior Upheld

The termination of a Bridgeport firefighter in 2017 for acting “bizarre,” has been upheld by the Fairfield County Superior Court. The suit was brought by Bridgeport Firefighters, IAFF Local 834, who sought to overturn a 2019 grievance arbitration decision that concluded that the city had just cause to terminate firefighter David Greene.

Bridgeport Firefighter Loses Third Bid To Reverse Termination

A Bridgeport, Connecticut firefighter who was terminated in 2012 following his arrest for insurance fraud, has lost a third lawsuit alleging that he was wrongful terminated. James Jackson was accused of falsely reporting that several thousand dollars worth of personal items had been stolen in a burglary in order to collect from his insurer.

Bridgeport Prevails in Suit Over Warehouse Fire

The Connecticut Court of Appeals has rejected the claims of a building owner who sought to hold the Bridgeport Fire Department liable for a major warehouse fire that resulted in a toxic waste cleanup costing the EPA over $2.3 million. 25 Grant Street LLC, filed suit alleging the fire department’s failure to conduct inspections coupled with a decision to apply water to “a small fire” in a building containing drums of toxic chemicals, led to the damages.

Connecticut Medical Marijuana Patient Sues Over Rejection From Fire Academy

An applicant for the Bridgeport Fire Department who was rejected because a pre-employment drug test was positive for marijuana, has filed suit seeking reinstatement to the eligibility list so he can attend the state fire academy. James Bulerin III filed suit against the City of Bridgeport and Personnel Director David J. Dunn last week.

Connecticut Supreme Court Holds the Failure to Conduct Required Fire Inspections Could Be Reckless Warranting a Jury Trial

In a 5 to 1 decision handed down today, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that a wrongful death suit against the Bridgeport Fire Department should proceed to trial because the city’s failure to meet its obligation to inspect buildings may ...

Bridgeport Fire Sued For Disability Discrimination Over Hypertension

A candidate denied admission to the Bridgeport Fire Department training academy due to high blood pressure, is suing the city in federal court for disability discrimination. Antonio Dias filed suit last week claiming that a conditional offer of employment with withdrawn on account of a perceived disability.

Bridgeport Facing Multi-Million Dollar Claim Over Lack of MSDS for Fire

The City of Bridgeport, Connecticut is facing a multi-million dollar claim by the owner of a warehouse that burned in 2014. The owner claims the fire department made the chemical fire worse by applying water, all because firefighters lacked access to MSDS information.

Bridgeport Firefighter Claims Pregnancy Discrimination

A Bridgeport, Connecticut firefighter is suing in federal court over pregnancy related discrimination. Regina Scates claims that the Bridgeport Fire Department “refused to accommodate [her] pregnancy and forced her to take [unpaid] leave from her position as firefighter"...

Bridgeport Firefighter Claims Pregnancy Discrimination

A pregnant Bridgeport, Connecticut firefighter whose light duty assignment reached the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement has been placed on unpaid and unrequested maternity leave. Firefighter Regina Scates and her attorney, former mayor Thomas Bucci, are threatening suit ...

Bridgeport FD Hit with $3.4 Million Verdict for Apparatus Accident

The Bridgeport Fire Department has been found liable for an apparatus accident that claimed the lives of two women in 2007. The accident occurred on July 31, 2007, as Ladder 5, driven by Firefighter David Otero, was responding to a ...