Washington State Recruit Noose Case Dismissed

A lawsuit filed by an African American recruit firefighter in Washington state who had a noose placed around his neck by a fellow recruit, has been voluntarily dismissed. Elijah Page filed the action in federal court back in 2023 against the Clark County Fire District 6, three chief officers, a captain and former recruit John Erickson.

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NY Court Rules FD Violated Lieutenant’s Rights

A Suffolk County, New York judge has ruled that the Stony Brook Fire District improperly suspended a volunteer fire lieutenant, and in doing so violated his statutory right to due process. Thomas J. Killeen filed suit under a NY law that allows aggrieved persons to challenge acts or omissions of a governmental entity, an action known as an Article 78 proceeding.

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Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a former NH fire chief alleging defamation; an appellate decision sending DC’s no-beard rule case back to district court; a magistrate’s ...

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NH Chief Alleges Defamation and Conspiracy

A New Hampshire fire chief who was terminated in 2023, has filed suit against two firefighters who accused him of making racist remarks. Former Nottingham Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock filed suit against Francis Bruno, Vash Rosfield, and the Town of Nottingham.

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Appellate Court Sends DC No Beard Rule Case Back to District Court

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has overturned a decision by a district court that refused to find the District of Columbia Fire Department in contempt for instituting a no beard rule. The procedural history of the case is complicated, and the court did not rule on the merits of the case.

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Magistrate Rules Baltimore Discrimination Suit Should be Dismissed

A US District Court Magistrate Judge has ruled that a race discrimination suit filed by a lieutenant with the Baltimore City Fire Department ought to be dismissed. Lt. Mitchell Waters filed suit in 2023 alleging he was targeted by white officers in the department after he had a “verbal exchange” with a female Baltimore County paramedic whose husband is a city fire officer.

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NJ Appellate Division Rules Firefighters Can Sue to Challenge CBA

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has ruled that two Paterson firefighters who claim that the city’s method of calculating overtime violates state wage and hour laws, are entitled to have their case heard in court, despite the fact that the city uses a method prescribed by the collective bargaining agreement, and despite the CBA’s arbitration provision.

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Ohio Fire District Not Liable for Death of Unbelted Passenger

An Ohio appellate court has ruled that firefighters owed no duty to prevent a woman from boarding or riding on a fire truck without a seat belt, because she was an independent adult who assumed that risk. The case was brought following the death of Marguerite Appel who died after she fell out of a Short Creek Joint Fire District engine following a firefighter funeral.

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Fire Law Roundup for January 27, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 27, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss the refiling of a LODD suit against Baltimore; a suit by Louisville firefighters claiming the city reneged on an agreement with regard to medical marijuana ...

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Baltimore LODD Suit Refiled in State Court

The families of three Baltimore firefighters who died in a 2022 building fire, along with another firefighter who was seriously injured in the same fire, have refiled their suit against the city in state court. The January 24, 2022 fire on Stricker street claimed the lives of Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler, and seriously injured FF John McMaster.

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Texas BC Alleges ADA and GINA Retaliation

A battalion chief with the San Antonio Fire Department has filed suit claiming that city has failed to comply with an EEOC Conciliation Agreement related to medical examinations and retaliated against him for his role in filing complaints with the EEOC. Battalion Chief Brian McEnery filed suit today in US District Court.

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