Fire Law Roundup for February 27, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 27, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a California decision holding that  fire departments are not crime victims when an arson occurs, and thus a court cannot order the arsonist to pay restitution as part of his sentence; a Georgia chief placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the hiring of a firefighter who was facing felony theft charges; a guilty plea by a Kansas City firefighter to three counts of involuntary manslaughter arising out of a fatal apparatus accident; the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the widow of a Washington firefighter who died of cancer; and the filing of a suit by the parents of a recruit firefighter who died while attending the NY State fire academy.

California Court Rules FD Not A Crime Victim of Arsonist

Georgia Chief on Leave as County Investigates Hiring

KC MO Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Apparatus Accident

Bellingham WA Settles Suit With Firefighter’s Widow

Parents Sue NY State Over Training Academy Death

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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