Indiana Firefighter Sues for Sex Discrimination

Posted by: Curt Varone December 28, 2015 0

A volunteer firefighter in Indiana who was claims she was “removed” from her department has filed suit in US District Court in Indianapolis alleging gender discrimination.

Elizabeth McKee accuses Fire Chief Jack Brockman and the Amity Community Volunteer Fire Department of eliminating her position in “logistics”, demanding she return her pager and keys, and terminating her from the department on account of her gender. McKee alleges her removal was in violation of the department’s bylaws and not ratified by the company’s board of directors.

The four-count complaint alleges:

  • Sex Discrimination (Disparate Treatment)
  • Deprivation of Rights Under Color of State Law by Brockman (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
  • Municipal Liability (42 U.S.C. § 1983) – The Department
  • Civil Conversion by Brockman

The civil conversion allegation relates to McKee not receiving certain stipends she alleges are owed to her.

The complaint was filed December 22, 2015 in the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Here is a copy: McKee v Amity Community VFD

BTW… my Fire Service Litigation Database has 404 sexual harassment/discrimination cases in it now, 63 (15.6%) involve volunteer fire departments.

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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