Disciplinary Action

An Indiana firefighter who was demoted for disobeying orders related to rumor-spreading about a subordinate’s sexual preferences, has lost his lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation due to his race, disability, age and use of FMLA leave. Brad Collier brought the action against the City of New Albany.

Read More »

In the aftermath of murder charges against two Illinois medics, two more stories are in the news related to the deaths of patients. In Chicago, a fire department paramedic has been terminated and a second suspended following an investigation into the death of a man last summer.

Read More »

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 23, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by the family of a woman who suffered a stroke, but was mistaken for being under the influence; a discrimination lawsuit filed ...

Read More »

An assistant chief in Texas who was terminated in 2021 has filed suit alleging gender discrimination. Assistant Chief/Director of Communications Elisa Noriega filed suit today naming the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department and Montgomery County ESD No. 10 as defendants.

Read More »

Two fire departments in different states are dealing with unrelated cases of firefighters being charged with child pornography-related offenses. In Dallas, driver-engineer Jesse McFall is facing a felony charge of possession of child pornography.

Read More »

A fire lieutenant with the Denver Fire Department has been terminated following an investigation into offensive comments that over time earned him the nickname of the Racist-Rover. Lieutenant Jared Russo was terminated last month following an investigation that began July 27, 2022.

Read More »

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for January 9, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a ruling out of Montgomery, Alabama upholding the resignation of a chief officer who claims be was constructively discharged; a claim my a Mobile firefighter ...

Read More »

A Montgomery chief officer who resigned in 2018 while facing domestic violence charges, has lost his suit alleging constructive discharge and due process violations. Chief of Operations Kenneth Bolling claims he was pressured into resigning immediately in order to preserve his retirement benefits.

Read More »

A Mobile firefighter who claims she was told to grow her hair to cover a tattoo on her head, was nevertheless terminated after a complaint was filed over her hair. Kay’Ana Adams was fired by the Mobile Fire Department late last year.

Read More »

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld in part, and reversed in part, discipline of a Boston firefighter on charges of insubordination, unbecoming behavior, and being absent without leave.

Read More »

A Nashville firefighter who was disciplined over a social media post is poised to accept a $450,000 settlement from the city. Josh Lipscomb, who besides being a firefighter is a comedian that goes by the stage name of Josh Black, was suspended for fourteen days for the Twitter post he made in February, 2022.

Read More »

A Polk County firefighter is facing felony charges for fraudulently submitting for working extra 24-hour shifts he did not work. The firefighter, Lance Taylor Dunn, has since resigned from Polk County Fire.

Read More »

A Miami firefighter at the center of a racially charged incident in 2017 that led to the termination of six firefighters, finds himself at the center of allegations that he beat a handcuffed prisoner. The incident occurred at Jackson Memorial Hospital in October, 2022 was caught on recently released security footage.

Read More »

The State of New York has enacted a law entitled "New York State firefighter bill of rights act". The new law is an amendment to Section 75 of the civil service law. Among its highlights is the mandatory appointment of an independent hearing officer before a paid firefighter can be disciplined or dismissed.

Read More »