Indiana Chief Suspended for Swearing In Firefighters

Posted by: Curt Varone June 11, 2013 0

An Indiana fire chief has been suspended without pay for five days because he swore in four new firefighters after being told he could not do so.

Fire Chief James Sipes of the Greenwood Fire Department is off until June 17. He was told by the city attorney that under Indiana law, only the city’s safety board can appoint firefighters. The chief never the less swore in the four new members, and thereafter was suspended.

More on the story.

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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