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

Tag Archives: Hobart City Councilman Matthew Claussen

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.

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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