Tag Archives: COVID

Second Circuit Upholds FDNY Vaccine Mandate From Due Process Claims

The Second Circuit has upheld the suspension without pay, and in some cases the dismissal, of some 86 FDNY firefighters who refused to comply with the city’s vaccine mandate in 2021. The firefighters alleged that the city’s failure to bargain over the vaccine mandate, coupled with the failure to comply with the city’s normal disciplinary requirements, constituted a violation of their due process rights.

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Former Sacramento Fire Chief Seeks $10 Million for Wrongful Termination

The former fire chief in Sacramento is claiming that his termination earlier this year was the result of retaliation by the city’s mayor. Gary Loesch seeks $10 million because Mayor Howard Chan wrongfully terminated him on May 26, 2022, and intentionally exposed him to COVID in retaliation for having challenged earlier discipline.

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LA County Firefighter’s Vaccine Mandate Suit Dismissed

A lawsuit filed by a Los Angeles County firefighter challenging the COVID19 vaccine mandate as violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, has been dismissed. Marcia Wilson filed suit in April contending that she was being discriminated against on account of a perceived disability.

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San Francisco Firefighters Fired Over COVID19 Vaccine Mandate File Suit

Twenty-one San Francisco firefighters who were fired for failing to comply with the city’s COVID19 vaccine mandate have filed suit alleging religious discrimination, failure to accommodate religious beliefs under California law, due process violations, and violations of their autonomous privacy rights. The suit was filed in San Francisco County Superior Court.

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St. Paul Firefighters Get Restraining Order Against Vaccine Mandate

St. Paul Firefighters, IAFF Local 21 has obtained a temporary restraining order against the city’s enforcement of its vaccine mandate. The firefighters’ lawsuit, similar to one filed by the union representing St. Paul police officers, contends that enforcement of the vaccine mandate violates the state’s collective bargaining laws.

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LAFD Investigating Captain’s Vaccine Rant

A Los Angeles City fire captain is under investigation for a social media rant about the city’s new COVID19 vaccine mandate. Captain Cristian Granucci posted the video on YouTube yesterday condemning the city for enacting it and the union for being in "lockstep with total tyranny."

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COVID-Related Cases in the Headlines

Two COVID-related cases are in the Fire Law News. In the Northern Mariana Islands, nine firefighters who were terminated for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination, have filed suit claiming the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and its commissioner, Dennis Mendiola violated their Constitutional rights.

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Polk County Captain Charged in Theft of COVID19 Vaccine

A captain with Polk County Fire Rescue has been arrested and charged with stealing three doses of COVID19 vaccine intended for first responders. Polk County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that Captain Anthony Damiano stole the doses with the assistance of Paramedic Josh Colon in order to give to his mother.

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