Tag Archives: demotion

Former Chief Grieves Refusal to Reinstate to Prior Rank

A former fire chief in Florida is seeking to be reinstated to the department as a battalion chief. Scott Bullard was the fire chief for St. Johns County. He claims when he decided to resign as fire chief earlier this month, he was told by Interim County Administrator Joy Andrews that he would be allowed to return to his previous position as a battalion chief.

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Demoted FDNY Chiefs Interviewed About Lawsuits

New York’s Fox5 interviewed three FDNY chiefs about the two lawsuits they filed against the city and Commissioner Laura Kavanagh earlier this year. The suits allege retaliation, age discrimination and violations of due process.

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Second Alarm: Another Salvo Fired at FDNY Commissioner Kavanagh

Three FDNY chief officers who filed suit against Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh last month, have filed a second lawsuit, this one accusing her of age discrimination. Deputy Chief Michael Gala, Deputy Chief Joseph Jardin, and Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Massucci filed suit in Kings County Supreme Court.

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Court Upholds Termination of Florida Lieutenant

A Florida fire lieutenant who was demoted for insubordination, and then terminated when he refused to accept the demotion, has lost his federal court lawsuit to get his job back. Lt. Christopher Chandler claims Walton County Fire Rescue violated the FMLA when it demoted him, and violated the FMLA and Florida disability discrimination laws when it terminated him.

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Cobb County Prevails in First Amendment and Whistleblower Suit

A Georgia firefighter who was disciplined after contacting a county commissioner to voice concerns about apparatus being place out of service, has lost a lawsuit contesting the discipline on First Amendment and whistleblower grounds. Cobb County firefighter Scott Millspaugh filed suit last year claiming his “demotion” from Firefighter III to Firefighter II was retaliation

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Mayor Sues Council Over Blocked Demotion of Fire Chief

An Indiana mayor has filed suit against her city council challenging their authority to block her demotion of the fire chief. Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron filed suit yesterday after the town council voted unanimously not to demote Fire Chief James Vangorder. Such demotions require council approval.

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Discipline, Deception and Hard Cases

Today’s burning question: I was disciplined last week because I called in sick to go to my daughter’s hockey game. Her team was in the championship and I could not get anyone to cover my shift. I am being demoted from captain to engineer but we had a captain who got caught lying on-duty and he got virtually no punishment. Why am I being demoted and he get’s a slap on the wrist? Answer: My father has a saying: hard cases make bad law.

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Demoted California Captain Seeks New Hearing

A fire captain in Selma, California who was demoted earlier this year, has filed suit claiming the city failed to provide him with proper notice and an opportunity to be heard at an appellate hearing before the city council. Eric Beasley filed suit in Fresno County Superior Court naming the City of Selma, the fire chief and the city manager.

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