Fire Law VLOG on Compensation Issues for Volunteer and Part Time Firefighters under the FLSA

Today’s Fire Law VLOG episode addresses two common questions that relate to the compensation of volunteer and part-time firefighters under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Compensation for Voluntary Attendance at Open House

Today’s burning question: Our department hosts an open house during fire prevention week. When the recession hit back in 2009 the department stopped compensating off-duty members who attended the open house. Can the department refuse to pay us for that time, and what would happen if one of our off-duty uncompensated members is injured at the open house?

Lexington Settles OT Dispute for $17.7 Million

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has agreed to settle a long-standing overtime dispute with its firefighters for a reported $17.7 million. The case was originally filed in November, 2005 in Fayette Circuit Court by firefighters who claimed the county miscalculated their overtime compensation.

Compensation for EMS Training

Today’s burning question: Do fire departments/EMS organizations have to pay personnel for the time spent attending training for EMT and paramedic while off-duty? Answer: There are several important issues that arise including what is the agreement between the parties, are the employees public employees, and does the training fit into an exception under the FLSA.

Pennsylvania Volunteers Seeking to Unionize

Today’s burning question: Me and my buddies are volunteer firefighters… sort of. We get paid a stipend for volunteering. I suppose that makes us paid volunteers if there is such a thing. So anyway, we want to form a union ...

Patterson Firefighters Grieve Withholding of Storm Related Overtime Pay

Patterson, New Jersey, Firefighters IAFF Local 4577 have filed a grievance against the city of Patterson over the non-payment of overtime wages for work performed during the flooding associated with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last September. The grievance ...

Seattle Firefighter Under Investigation for Falsely Claiming a Disabling Injury

A Seattle firefighter’s $12.8 million judgment against the city as well as his pension may be in jeopardy as the result of an investigation into just how serious his job-related injuries actually are. In 2003, Firefighter Mark Jones fell down a ...

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Tag Archives: compensation