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

Tag Archives: Pembroke Pines Fire Department

11th Circuit Rules Florida Assistant Chief Has No First Amendment Protection

An assistant chief who was terminated after he complained publically that the “City’s actions would negatively impact the fire department’s provision of services”, was not entitled to protection under the First Amendment, according to a ruling handed down last week by the 11th Circuit.

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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