Tag Archives: Houston Fire Department

Houston Firefighter Reinstated Following Procedural Error in Drug Testing

A Houston firefighter who was fired following a positive drug test in 2019, has been ordered reinstated by the Texas Court of Appeals because the city failed to comply with its own procedural requirements to inform him of his right to request a "referee test.” FF Pete Cortez was selected for random urinalysis testing in January, 2019.

Houston Fire Dealing With Fallout From Housefire Social Media Post

The Houston Fire Department is dealing with the aftermath of comments made by a firefighter following a housefire over the weekend. The fire destroyed a home belonging to the Reed family, leaving the family of eight seeking shelter.

Houston Settles Sexual Harassment Suit for $275k

The City of Houston has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice on behalf of a female firefighter alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. The settlement puts to rest a contentious case that originally involved two female firefighters that dates back to 2009.

Houston Chiefs Prevail in Suit Brought By A District Chief

The dismissal of a lawsuit brought against two ranking chief officers of the Houston Fire Department by a district chief over a social media post has been upheld by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. District Chief Steven Dunbar filed the federal court action pro se after he was suspended and transferred for a social media post.

Forced Closure of Sports Complex Over COVID Compliance Prompts Suit Against Houston Fire

The owners of a Houston sports complex have filed suit against the city’s police and fire departments after it was forced to close for violating Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order relative to the reopening of business. Sportsplex of Houston, Inc. filed suit yesterday naming the Houston Fire and Police departments.

Houston Prevails in Race and Gender Discrimination Suit

A race and gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the estate of a Houston firefighter has been dismissed. Margaret Roberts worked as a firefighter for the Houston Fire Department from 1994 to 2016. She passed away on January 4, 2017.

Houston Prop B Ruled Unconstitutional

In a stunning reversal that has plusses and minuses for both sides, Harris County District Court Judge Tanya Garrison has ruled that Proposition B that mandates Houston firefighters receive parity with Houston police officers, is unconstitutional. The decision was handed down today.

Motorola Sued for $145 Million Over Death of Houston Fire Captain

The widow of a Houston fire captain who was seriously injured in the Southwest Inn fire in 2013, and who died in 2017, has filed suit against Motorola Solutions, Inc. alleging deficiencies in the radio system contributed to her husband’s injuries and ultimately his death. Jacki Dowling filed suit in Harris County District Court on February 18, 2019.

Houston Police-Fire Pay Parity Bill Goes Into Effect

Harris County Judge Randy Wilson has refused to extend a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of a voter-approved initiate to guaranty pay parity between Houston police and firefighters. The initiate known as Proposition B was adopted in November by a 59% majority at the behest of Houston firefighters.

US DOJ Sues Houston Over Station 54 Sexual Harassment Complaints

The US Department of Justice filed suit today against the City of Houston on behalf of two female firefighters who claim they were sexually harassed while assigned to Station 54. Jane Draycott and Paula Keyes claim they were harassed in 2009, prompting them to file complaints. Thereafter, the harassment dramatically worsened resulting in them being placed on leave.

Houston Fire Chief Goes On Newsmakers To Discuss Recent Suit

Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena went on Newsmakers to discuss the challenges the department faces including a suit by the firefighter’s union and a recent audit of the department’s inspection program. The suit filed last week by the union accuses the city administration of refusing to bargain in good faith.

Houston Sued for $1 Million Over Drowning Deaths

The City of Houston is facing a wrongful death suit by the family of an elderly couple who drown during a botched flood-water rescue in 2015. The children of Jack and Shirley Alter filed suit accusing the city of negligence in its attempt to rescue the couple during a major flooding event.

Houston Firefighters Accused of Using Facebook To Sell Shift Trades

Eyewitness News in Houston is investigating firefighters for selling shift-trades on a Facebook page aptly named HFD Extra Shifts. KTRK broke the story, interviewing firefighters and elected officials, and referencing a similar shift-swapping scandal in Cleveland in 2014 that resulted in criminal charges against 13 firefighters.

Houston Loses Battle to Unilaterally Restructure Firefighter Pensions

A Texas appellate court has denied the appeal of the City of Houston in its efforts to unilaterally restructure its firefighter pension system to save money. The city sued the Houston Firefighters' Relief & Retirement Fund in 2014 claiming that pension costs were driving it toward bankruptcy seeking a declaratory judgment that the pension arrangement was unconstitutional.

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