Fire Law Podcast: DC Battalion Chief’s Demotion Reversed

In this podcast District of Columbia Battalion Chief Richard Sterne explains the circumstances surrounding his demotion by Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe for not finding two officers guilty of charges at a disciplinary hearing. Curt Varone and DC Attorney Jim Pressler review the facts, the law and the politics behind the scene in the Nation’s Capitol. [Note: it may take 1 to 2 minutes to load, or you can download from iTunes]

More on the story.

Download the decision: BC Sterne Ruling

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.
x

Check Also

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.

San Francisco Firefighter Seeks $125 Million Over Injuries Sustained at 2009 Fire

A San Francisco firefighter injured in 2009, has filed suit claiming the city’s racist practices and negligence led to his catastrophic injuries. Michael Estrada filed suit today pro se in US District Court for the Northern District of California alleging civil rights violations under 42 USC §1983, gross negligence, race discrimination.