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

Tag Archives: partial exemption

Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Company Sued For FLSA Violation

Five employees of a volunteer fire department in Pennsylvania have filed suit claiming they were improperly classified as partially-exempt 7k firefighters and denied overtime after they worked 40 hours per week. Dennis A. Szweda, Janelle Schmeck, David Ciabattoni, Reed A. Apostol and Donald Hirsch filed suit against the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department.

FLSA and Per Diem Employees

Today’s burning question: Does the FLSA’s 7k Exemption apply to per diem firefighters? It would seem an employer could load up per diem employees and thereby manipulate hours to avoid overtime liability. Answer: You raise a good point about manipulation, but the FLSA makes no distinction between full-time, part-time, or per diem firefighters.

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.

Name
First Last
Email*
Address*
State
Job Title
Company
CAPTCHA