Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: ethics laws

Indiana Firefighter Gets Reprieve from Retire or Relinquish Elected Office Dilemma

An Indiana firefighter and four government employees have received a reprieve on the implementation of a new law that would prohibit them from holding elective office in the jurisdiction in which they are employed. Michael Opinker is a firefighter for the City of Hammond and he was also elected the serve on the Hammond City Council.

Firefighter’s Marriage Violates Nepotism Policy

A firefighter in Columbus, Mississippi has been transferred out of the fire department because he married the niece of a fellow firefighter, resulting in a violation of the city’s nepotism policy.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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