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

A lawsuit filed by 91 Alabama firefighters who claimed the City of Gadsden was violating the FLSA, has been amended to accuse the city of retaliating against them for having brought the suit. The firefighters filed their original suit in May alleging the city miscalculated their regular rate, resulting in overtime underpayments.

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A Rochester firefighter who claims he was forced to attend a private party while on duty, has filed suit against the city alleging race discrimination. Jerrod Jones, a 14 year veteran, filed the action according to WHEC Channel 10 News.

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A woman who claims she was injected with a sedative following her protest at an NBA playoff game in June, has filed suit against the San Francisco Fire Department and the San Francisco Police Department. Kareim McKnight filed suit yesterday ...

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A Los Angeles County firefighter who was terminated following a positive drug test has filed suit claiming the results were a false positive due to a lawfully prescribed medication he was taking for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Joseph Allen was fired on May 17, 2022 following a random test on April 14, 2022.

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The president of a Wisconsin International Association of Firefighters local was terminated last week over a social media post that criticized understaffing over the Memorial Day weekend. Spencer Nett, president of IAFF Local 5026, was terminated by the Dells-Delton EMS Commission on August 4, 2022.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 8, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a New Jersey lawsuit alleging firefighters responded to a fatal fire after drinking at a local event; a ruling that dismissed a lawsuit challenging Los ...

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An Iowa City firefighter who has been on unpaid leave since 2021 has filed suit alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. Sadie McDowell filed suit in Johnson County District Court claiming she has been the victim of offensive behavior for most of her career.

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An FDNY firefighter who claimed he was sexually assaulted and racially discriminated against when assigned to his first firehouse after the fire academy, is appealing entry of judgment in favor of the city. Gordon Springs filed suit against the city and several firefighters in 2017.

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A fatal house fire that led to criminal charges against a New Jersey landlord, has resulted in a wrongful death suit accusing the landlord and the local fire department with negligence. Haven Davenport died in the March 19, 2021 fire in Franklin Borough. She was 13 at the time.

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A lawsuit filed by a Los Angeles County firefighter challenging the COVID19 vaccine mandate as violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, has been dismissed. Marcia Wilson filed suit in April contending that she was being discriminated against on account of a perceived disability.

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Four firefighters with the District of Columbia Fire & EMS have filed suit alleging race and gender discrimination. Jadonna Sanders, Shalonda Smith, Takeva Thomas and Bolatito Ajose are seeking damages of $10 Million.

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In this special edition of Fire Law VLOG, Brad and Curt discuss with Attorney Kevin Fairlie the challenges of fire departments and EMS agencies when it comes to EMS billing. Many fire and EMS organizations are being audited and investigated for Medicare fraud. There are solutions as Brad and Kevin suggest.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for August 1, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a gender discrimination suit by two chief officers in the Tulsa Fire Department; a ruling by the Texas Court of Appeals holding that backpay for ...

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Two chief officers in the Tulsa Fire Department have filed suit claiming they were passed over for promotion because of their gender, and retaliated against after they complained. Greta Hurt and Julie Lynn filed suit in US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma alleging a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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