Fire Law Roundup – January 31, 2022

In this episode, Brad and Curt discuss a ruling out of Colorado on Ketamine administration by paramedics, a First Amendment suit out of Georgia, a public records case out of KCMO connected to the 1988 LODD explosion that killed 6 Kansas City firefighters, a subrogation suit out of Utah, and the filing of a vaccine mandate challenge suit in San Diego, CA.

Among the topics discussed are the importance of good documentation, particularly when administering a drug like ketamine; the applicability of the First Amendment to work-related speech; the historical background on the 1988 Kansas City explosion that killed 6 KCMO firefighters; subrogation in a wildland fire scenario (my database has 26 subrogation suits out of 11,500 entries); and the COVID19 vaccine mandate claims in San Diego.

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

Bridgeport Firefighter Accused of Taking Drugs at Incident Scene

A Bridgeport, Connecticut firefighter is facing charges that he took drugs from the scene of a suspected drug overdose last month. Harold Clarke Jr. has been charged with tampering with evidence and interfering with a police officer.

Georgia Federal Court Denies Request to Remand Whistleblower Case

The US District Court for the Southern District of Georgia has refused to remand a former division chief’s whistleblower lawsuit back to state court. EMS Division Chief Summer Patterson filed suit against Bryan County Fire & Emergency Services and Fire Chief Freddy Howell claiming she was retaliated against and forced to resign after voicing her objection to the chief’s disciplinary decision making.