Tag Archives: facebook

Court of Appeals Strikes Down Palm Beach County Social Media Policy

The US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a social media-related First Amendment lawsuit filed by two Palm Beach County fire captains may proceed, reversing a district court ruling from 2020. In doing so the court struck down the fire department’s social media policy as being a prior restraint on employee speech.

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Medics and FD Sued Over Photos of Shooting Victim

The sister of a man who was shot and killed during Black Lives Matter protests in Cicero, Illinois last summer, has filed suit against two Cicero Fire Department paramedics and a retired lieutenant for taking and sharing photos of his body. Adriana Cazares filed suit today naming Frank R. Rand, Justin Zheng, Gene Lazcano and the Town of Cicero as defendants.

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Court Upholds Termination of Boston Firefighter

A Massachusetts judge has rejected the appeal of a Boston firefighter who was terminated over a series a racist and homophobic social media posts. Octavius Rowe, a 15-year veteran, was fired by the Boston Fire Department on April 30, 2018 following a lengthy investigation.

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Colorado Fire Department Investigating Facebook Post

The Aurora Fire Department is investigating allegations that a social media post by a ranking officer was inappropriate and racially offensive. The post reportedly depicted a man in military attire and stated ““This is what a HERO looks like…unlike the whiny pathetic professional athletes that think they are special.”

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SC Firefighter Terminated Over Facebook Posts

A South Carolina firefighter has been terminated over several social media posts that were found to be racist. Georgetown County firefighter Bob Kosto was fired last week one day after county officials were informed of the posts.

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Firefighter Social Media Toll Continues to Rise

The toll that social media posts are taking on the fire service continues to mount this week. Last week, Dave Statter listed 10 cases that hit the news, several involving chief officers. The trend continues. In New York, Hillcrest Fire Chief Rick Larson is facing a backlash following a post that discussed following rioters home and burning their properties...

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Florida Fire District Sued For Viewpoint Discrimination

A Florida man has filed suit against a fire district claiming that his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when the department’s public information officer blocked him from the department’s Facebook page. Randy Scott filed against the Lehigh Acres Fire Control And Rescue District and PIO Katie Heck suit this week.

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Atlanta Expose Into EMS Dark Humor Facebook Groups

An Atlanta area television station has been investigating EMS personnel sharing images and information protected by medical confidentiality laws in social media. Channel 11’s investigation into former Grady Hospital paramedic Amanda Courtright has widened to other EMS services around the country.

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