Iowa Chief Remains in Limbo

Posted by: Curt Varone November 20, 2017 0

The fire chief of Davenport, Iowa, who won the civil service appeal of her firing two weeks ago, remains in limbo as the city mulls its options.

Fire Chief Lynn Washburn was fired earlier this year by City Administrator Corri Spiegel. Chief Washburn appealed the firing arguing civil service regulations required she be placed into a lower ranking position. The civil service commission agreed ordering her reinstated as a district chief.

The city has until December 8, 2017 to appeal the civil service commissions ruling. In the mean time, Chief Washburn has not been reinstated.

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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