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

Tag Archives: Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality

St. Louis Settles Promotion Discrimination Suit

A lawsuit filed by 140 black St. Louis firefighters challenging the promotional test for captain and battalion chief has been settled with a comprehensive agreement to overhaul the promotional process. The suit was filed in state court by the 140 named firefighters and the Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality alleging that the 2013 promotional process was racially discriminatory.

St. Louis Firefighters Sue Over Race Discrimination in Promotions

A group of 140 St. Louis firefighters are suing over alleged race discrimination in the fire department’s promotional process. The 140 named plaintiffs are all members of F.I.R.E., and candidates for promotion to either captain or battalion chief. The suit alleges that in some cases their exam scores were deliberately altered.

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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