Tag Archives: drugs

Fire Law Roundup – May 23, 2022

In this week’s edition of Fire Law Roundup for May 23, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a discipline case out of New Britain, Connecticut arising out of the overdose death of a firefighter; an assault case out of San Francisco; a new Oklahoma law allowing fire trucks to transport EMS patients in extreme emergencies; and a union free-speech case out of Port Houston, Texas.

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Drug Investigation Results in Departure of Three OH Fire Officers

Two fire officers have resigned and a third has retired as an internal investigation into drug use and sale in an Ohio fire department is released. Liberty Township Lieutenants Justin Graham and Josh Cleland have resigned and Captain Chris Olsen has retired following an internal investigation that concluded drugs were being bought and sold at work.

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Newark Firefighter Loses Appeal of Termination

A Newark firefighter who was terminated in 2016 after falling asleep in a firehouse kitchen, missing a run, and testing positive for drugs and alcohol, has lost his appeal to the Appellate Division of the NJ Superior Court. Antonio Cruz had asked the court to overturn a decision by the NJ Civil Service Commission

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NY Fire Officer Accused of Being Drug Dealer

A Middletown, New York fire lieutenant has been arrested on drug charges amidst allegations that he is “a ringleader of a cocaine-dealing motorcycle club.” Lt. Paul Smith, 48, was arrested as part of a series of raids that netted 29 people. The raids were conducted by New York State Police and agents from the FBI and DEA in five locations.

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DC Firefighter Assaulted At Scene Accused Of Being Impaired

A DC firefighter who was assaulted by several people at the scene of an emergency involving an injured child, is now being investigated for being under the influence. The incident occurred yesterday when firefighters responded to a 3-year old injured in a fall, but the child’s parents refused to allow a firefighter to treat the child because he appeared to be impaired.

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Can a Firefighter Violate a Person’s Fourth Amendment Rights?

Today’s burning question: I know that police can violate a person’s Fourth Amendment rights by conducting a search without a warrant, but can a firefighter? Answer: The 4th Amendment is not limited to police officers but applies to searches by government. I know we don’t think of ourselves this way, but firefighters are governmental agents and thus the 4th Amendment does apply to us.

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Police Fire Wars in New Mexico

Today’s burning question: I responded to a motor vehicle roll-over accident. While attending to a patient I found drugs, cash and a drug pipe in his car. I collected the items and gave them to a police officer, who instead ...

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Bringing it Home in Johnston

There are so many possible titles for this story it was hard to pick: You can run but you cannot hide Due process: how much process is due? Or even one of several that start with “knock knock…who’s there” For ...

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