Annual Review of 2017 Fire Law Headlines

It’s time for the annual review of the top Fire Law news stories of 2017.

Every year it is so hard to objectively evaluate a year’s worth of headlines. My solution is to look at stories in several different ways.

First, let’s look at the 10 most viewed stories of 2017.

1. Delaware Fire Company Sued For Third Time By Same Member
2. Detroit Terminates Firefighter Who Brought Watermelon to Station
3. Three Former Florida Fire Chiefs Charged With Fraud
4. Las Vegas Fire Installing Surveillance Cameras At Stations
5. 7th Circuit Rules On Off-Duty Use Of Smartphone OT Case
6. Small Fire Departments and Overtime
7. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Howard County Social Media Appeal
8. Are BCs Eligible for Overtime Under the FLSA
9. Fourth Circuit Rules on Howard County Fire Social Media Case
10. Massachusetts Medic Suspended Over Racist NFL Post

Now, let’s take a look at the 10 stories that were the most Liked on Facebook:

1. Delaware Fire Company Sued For Third Time By Same Member
2. Detroit Terminates Firefighter Who Brought Watermelon to Station
3. 7th Circuit Rules On Off-Duty Use Of Smartphone OT Case
4. Are BCs Eligible for Overtime Under the FLSA
5. Pennsylvania Fire Company and IAFF Local Sued In Federal Court
6. Fourth Circuit Rules on Howard County Fire Social Media Case
7. Sick Leave Abuse or Family Medical Leave Act Violation
8. Florida Chief Disciplined for Hostile Workplace
9. SC Firefighters Sue for Overtime After 40 Hours Per Week
10. Las Vegas Fire Sex Scandal Should Not Be A Surprise

Finally, here are the 10 most important stories from my perspective:

1. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Finds An “Unambiguous and Powerful Link Between Shift Staffing and Firefighter Health and Safety”
2. Fourth Circuit Rules on Howard County Fire Social Media Case
3. 7th Circuit Rules On Off-Duty Use Of Smartphone OT Case
4. Texas Appeals Court Upholds San Antonio Evergreen Clause
5. Trial Court Renders Split Decision to Kelvin Cochran And Atlanta
6. Lexington Settles OT Dispute for $17.7 Million
7. Jury Awards $1.4 Million in Charlotte Retaliation Case
8. Are BCs Eligible for Overtime Under the FLSA
9. Why Volunteers Need to Understand The FLSA
10. Headline Pimping: Swat Medic’s Shooting of Handcuffed Prisoner Prompts Lawsuit

My best wishes for a happy, safe and productive New Year!!! Welcome 2018!!!