Bridgeport Incident Raises Fourth Amendment Questions

A Bridgeport, Connecticut man is threatening to file suit against firefighters because they opened the glove box in his car in the aftermath of a vehicle accident. Tony Barr contends that firefighters violated his constitutional rights following the accident last weekend.

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Virginia Court Upholds Denial of Benefits to Firefighter’s Widow

The widow of a Norfolk Fire Department captain who died in 2019, has lost her appeal to the Virginia Court of Appeals to have his death treated as a compensable occupational disease. Norma Hughes appealed the ruling of the Virginia Workers' Comp Commission concluding that the medical evidence did not establish that Captain David Hughes died of lung cancer.

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Former NY Chief Facing Drone Related Forgery Charges

A former fire chief is facing criminal charges for having forged his credentials to operate the fire department’s drone. Michael J. Leonelli was arrested by New York State Police following an investigation that included the FAA and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Transportation.

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Fire Law Roundup for January 13, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 13, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a jury verdict that the city of Mobile did not wrongfully terminate or retaliate against a fire captain who was dismissed in 2022; the arrest ...

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Jury Rules Alabama Captain’s Termination Lawful

An Alabama jury has found that the city of Mobile did not wrongfully terminate or retaliate against a fire captain who was dismissed in 2022. Captain Rodrick Shoots was terminated and another captain, Jason Craig, was disciplined following the termination ...

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Tennessee Firefighter Charged With Impersonating Law Enforcement

A Tennessee firefighter is facing criminal charges that he used emergency lights and flashed his badge during a road rage incident several weeks ago. Henry Riegger, 22, has been charged by the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office with criminal impersonation, reckless driving, and violation of emergency light law.

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NJ Court Sends Pension Denial Back to Retirement Board

The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court has overturned the denial of an accidental disability pension to a firefighter, and sent the matter back to the state’s Public Employees' Retirement System for further consideration. Louis T. Madden suffered a career ending injury while at the scene of a fire on December 6, 2019.

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Widow Sues Mayor For Causing Chief’s Psychotic Break

The widow of a New Bedford deputy chief who has shot and killed by police officers, has filed suit claiming the psychotic break that precipitated the shooting was the result of two years of abuse and humiliation orchestrated by the city’s mayor. Jane Coderre filed suit in Bristol County Superior Court alleging conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation.

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Fire Law Roundup for January 6, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 6, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the arrest of a New York volunteer for calling in false alarms; an FLSA overtime lawsuit filed against a North Carolina fire department; the enactment ...

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Firefighter Accused of Calling in False Alarms

A New York volunteer firefighter is facing five felony charges related to calling in false alarms to 911. Cyril Uebbing, 23, was arrested by New York State Police following an investigation requested by the fire chief of the Hillside Fire Department.

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North Carolina Firefighters File Suit Against Fire Company

Three North Carolina firefighters with the East Lincoln Fire Department, Inc. have filed a class action lawsuit claiming the fire department failed to pay them overtime as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Adam Gant, Dale Bogle, and Brandon Auten filed suit in US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

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Fire Law Roundup 2024 Annual Review

Here is our annual review of the top Fire Law Stories of 2024. Brad’s 5. North Carolina Medic Who Failed Drug Test Alleges it was Lawfully Prescribed Meds 4. Tennessee Captain Loses Alcoholism-PTSD Disability Claim 3. Court Holds FDNY Not ...

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