Connecticut Chief Claims Non-Renewal of His Contract Is Illegal

A Connecticut deputy chief has filed suit claiming the non-renewal of his employment contract is retaliation and illegal.

Fairfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Art Reid filed suit in Bridgeport Superior Court alleging that the Fairfield Fire Commission’s decision not to renew his contract is directly related to his having reported a slapping incident in 2012 involving Fire Chief Richard Felner.

Chief Felner, 76 and a 56 year veteran of the Fairfield Fire Department, was accused of striking Assistant Chief George Gomola in January, 2012. Chief Gomola made a formal complaint to Chief Reid, who in turn reported the incident to the town’s human resource department. While an investigation concluded that Chief Felner “more likely than not” touched Chief Gomola, the Fire Commission imposed no discipline.

Chief Reid’s suit claims that members of the Fairfield Fire Commission were upset he reported the incident to town human resources officials. The complaint alleged that one Fire Commissioner, Richard Popolowksi, told him he “screwed up.”

Chief Reid’s contract expires in December.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

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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