Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The troubled Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District in Missouri is one step closer to solving the various legal disputes that have plagued it for the past few years. Formerly the Normandy Fire Protection District, Northeast was charged with violating the state’s open meetings law. The district serves a population of 45,000 residents in an area in St. Louis County.
In 2009, the fire district’s assets were frozen while state and Federal authorities investigated financial and other irregularities (see the video below). Two months ago, a former board member and fire chief pled guilty to violating the Clear Air Act by removing asbestos containing tiles from a fire station.
The open records violation suit was filed on July 2, 2009 in St. Louis County Circuit by attorney general’s office. Under the settlement, Northeast was fined $5,000, but $4,000 is suspended provided the district complies with the terms of the settlement agreement. More on the story.
