Politics

NJ Court Upholds Officers Being in Same Bargaining Unit as Firefighters

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a ruling of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission concluding that lieutenants can be included with firefighters in a collective bargaining unit. The case involved a challenge brought by the Borough of Carteret seeking to separate lieutenants from the rank-and-file firefighters.

NY Chief Challenges Removal

The fire chief of the Wading River Fire District who was removed by the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners last November, has filed suit alleging a violation of his statutory and constitutional due process rights. Fire Chief Kevin Berg was initially suspended and then removed as fire chief, all without notice of the reason for these actions, or an opportunity to respond.

UK Parliament Questions Fire Service Leader on Institutional Racism Claim

As have many fire departments in the UK and Canada recently, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority has been in the news relative to allegations of institutional racism and sexism. However, when questioned by Lee Anderson, a member of parliament, the chair of the Authority, Rebecca Knox, was unable to answer some relatively simple questions about the decision to label her organization “institutionally racist.”

Fire Law Roundup for March 11, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 11, 2024, Curt discusses a disciplinary investigation into firefighters who booed an elected official at a promotional ceremony; the dismissal of two Michigan fire departments from a lawsuit brought by a ...

More Political Squabbles in FDNY

An FDNY promotional ceremony last Thursday has turned into a politically oriented disciplinary spectacle after attendees booed New York Attorney General Letitia James and chanted “Trump”. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has ordered an investigation into the incident and apparently want the offenders to be “educated why their behavior is unacceptable.”

Mayor Appoints Herself Fire Chief of Massachusetts City

The mayor of a Massachusetts city has appointed herself fire chief amidst growing strife within the department. Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn appointed herself fire chief today.

Suit Challenges Fire District’s Budget Increase

A tax increase that more than doubled the budget of a fire district in New York, is being challenged by four taxpayers who claim the district failed to comply with the law. Crystal Myers, Beth Salisbury, Eric Pappa and Vicki Parvese filed suit against the Richland Fire District in Oswego County Supreme Court.

OSHA Proposes Major Changes to Regulations for the Fire Service

The OSHA has unveiled a proposed update to 29 CFR 1910.156, the Fire Brigade Standard, and is seeking input from the public. Enacted in 1980 and not updated since, the Fire Brigade Standard has had a rather minimal impact on the fire service up to this point.

New Houston Mayor Raises Firefighters’ Optimism

After years of labor management strife, Houston Firefighters are expressing optimism that the seeming endless legal battles they have endured can be finally be resolved with the inauguration of Mayor John Whitmire. Fox26 interviewed IAFF Local 341 President Patrick "Marty" Lancton who called Whitmore’s election a “win” for firefighters.

Neighborhood Fire Contract Wars

Every once in a while, a would-be litigant takes a “shot over the bow” of a neighbor mutual aid fire department when the continued service of the fire company is on the line. A trend across the nation appears to involve municipal consideration of other fire companies to serve the territory traditionally served by the complaining fire company.

Iowa Fire Department at Center of Nativity Scene Controversy

An Iowa fire department that has hosted a nativity scene during the holidays for the past fifteen years, has found itself at the center of a First Amendment controversy about the separation between church and state. The Freedom From Religion Foundation requested the Mayor and City Council of the City of Toledo to remove a nativity scene from the front of the Toledo Fire Department’s station.

Minnesota City Found in Contempt For Violating Injunction in FD Dispute

A Minnesota judge has found the City of Orono to be in contempt of court for violating her earlier order in a suit brought by the City of Long Lake over the breach of a fire protection agreement. The two cities, along with the City of Medina, are parties to an agreement whereby the Long Lake FD would provide services to the 3 communities.

Jefferson Parish Investigation Finds Fire Companies Misspent $8.5 Million

The Office of Inspector General for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has issued a report that identified $28 million in questionable spending by volunteer fire companies, including $8.5 million that the OIG concluded was misspent. The report covers a ten-year period between 2013 and 2023, and goes on to recommend some major changes, including the consolidation of fire districts and volunteer fire companies.

Termination of Boston Firefighter For Offensive Posts Upheld

The ongoing saga of Boston firefighter Octavius Rowe suffered another setback as the Massachusetts Court of Appeals upheld his 2018 termination for making a series of racist and homophobic social media posts. Rowe, who served as vice president of Boston’s Vulcan Society, claimed he had been singled out for discipline for his posts while the city ignored comparably offensive posts by white firefighters.

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