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

Tag Archives: Marshall Square Retirement Community

Georgia Fire Department Sued For Wrongful Death

The estate of a woman killed in a fire at a retirement center in 2015 has filed suit against the Columbia County Fire Rescue and several firefighters alleging wrongful death. At the center of the suit was a decision to have residents of the building shelter in place.

Evacuate or Shelter in Place for Fire Alarms

Today’s burning question: We have a retirement community in our district and we recently became aware that the property managers have been advising residents to remain in their apartments during fire alarms. Their philosophy is to “shelter in place” in the event of a fire. Is this wise?

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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