NC Firefighters Allege Hostile Work Environment and Retaliation

Two North Carolina firefighters have filed suit claiming they were the victims of a hostile work environment, age discrimination, and retaliation after they complained. Thomas Rumley and Robert Patterson filed separate suits against the City of Graham, Fire Chief Tommy Cole, Captain Jason Moore and City Manager Megan Garner.

Read More »

California Fire Department Sued Over PCBs in Waste Oil

The San Bernardino County Fire Department is being sued by an environmental contractor over the presence of PCBs in the department’s waste oil. The suit was brought in San Bernardino County Superior Court by Asbury Environmental Services doing business as World Oil Environmental Services.

Read More »

Georgia Chief Speaks Publicly About his Wrongful Termination

A Georgia fire chief who was terminated last month for allegedly bullying and disrespecting city officials, is claiming that he was actually fired for speaking up about staffing and budgeting concerns. Former Tybee Island Fire Chief Ronald Kendrick spoke with WJCL 22 News, denying the city’s stated reasons for his removal.

Read More »

Jury Awards $250k to Nashville Deputy Fire Marshal

The City of Nashville has been ordered by a federal court jury to pay a deputy fire marshal $250,000 plus attorneys fees. Maggie Lawrence claimed she was the victim of gender, race and age discrimination when she was passed over for promotion to fire marshal in 2022.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for May 13, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 13, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss an Ohio lawsuit  alleging gender, disability and pregnancy discrimination following the denial of a light-duty assignment;  a criminal case from Canada resulting from an altercation ...

Read More »

Lynchburg Prevails in Gender Discrimination Suit

The Lynchburg Fire Department has prevailed in a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by a former female firefighter. Master Firefighter Mary Lynn Shumate brought the suit claiming that she was demoted in 2022 in retaliation for filing a complaint alleging a hostile work environment and bullying.

Read More »

Fire Law Roundup for May 6, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 6, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a suit filed by the families of three Baltimore firefighters killed in a building fire; a pink collar theft case in Pennsylvania; a civil action ...

Read More »

Burning Question: Can a Complainant Investigate a Disciplinary Infraction?

Today’s burning question: In a disciplinary investigation, can the lead investigator be the complainant on a case? I was under the impression that the investigator should not also be the complainant. Answer: The general rule is that neither the victim nor the complainant to an alleged disciplinary infraction should be assigned to investigate a disciplinary complaint.

Read More »

LODD Families Sue Baltimore

The families of three Baltimore firefighters who died in a 2022 building fire have filed suit claiming the city’s failure to catalog and mark structurally compromised buildings caused their deaths. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler were killed, and FF John McMaster was seriously injured in the January 24, 2022.

Read More »