Training

The US Second Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down a ruling in favor of FDNY concluding that a trademark owned by an FDNY paramedic in the name of "Medical Special Operations Conference" cannot be enforce because it is descriptive.

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A court appointed arbitrator has ruled that a Washington state fire department cannot recoup the costs of paramedic training from a firefighter who took a position with a new fire department beyond withholding his final paycheck. The suit was brought by San Juan Fire Protection District No. 2, dba Orcas Island Fire Rescue against Alex Conrad.

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The Buffalo Fire Department is reportedly facing a new discrimination lawsuit brought by three former recruits. According to WIVB, the suit was brought by a Black man, a Hispanic man and a “Polish” man in his 40s alleging race, ethnicity and age discrimination.

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A lawsuit filed in 2021 by a 46-year-old recruit who was terminated from the Howard County Fire Department’s fire academy in 2018, has been dismissed following a grant of summary judgment in favor of the county. Robert D. Whittaker, III, claimed he was the victim of age discrimination.

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The Los Angeles County Fire Department is facing a class action lawsuit that seeks compensation for fire academy attendees who were quarantined in hotels while not in class during the COVID19 pandemic. The suit was brought by a John Doe plaintiff alleging an overtime violation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and breach of contract under state law.

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The Muncie Fire Department is facing three separate investigations into possible cheating on certification exams. The investigations are being conducted by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Medical Services, the Indiana State Fire Marshal, and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

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The parents of a Watertown firefighter who died while training at the New York State Academy of Fire Science, have filed a second wrongful death lawsuit, this time against five instructors. Peyton L.S. Morse died after suffering a medical emergency while in engaged in a training evolution.

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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 ...

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A Washington firefighter has filed suit claiming he was sexually harassed during his fire academy training by an instructor. Keanan Metcalfe filed suit in Snohomish County Superior Court naming the City of Everett, Snohomish County, Snohomish County Fire Protection, South ...

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 7, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a $32 Million award against a Kansas City firefighter personally for causing a crash that killed three people last December, discipline for two Denver firefighter ...

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A grand jury looking into the death of a recruit firefighter at the New York State Fire Academy in 2021 has declined to issue an indictment. Peyton Morse, a recruit with the Watertown Fire Department, died after suffering a medical emergency while in engaged in an arduous training evolution.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for October 31, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a ruling that dismissed claims against four Oklahoma City firefighters who were accused of violating a patient’s civil rights by restraining him; a decision by ...

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A Utah fire department is being sued for allegedly destroying a man’s home last July as part of a training exercise. Greg Young filed suit in US District Court for the District of Utah claiming that the South Jordan Fire Department used his home on South Gold Dust Drive without his permission, and literally destroyed it.

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Four Florida firefighters have filed suit claiming their department required them to attend job-related training and failed to compensate them for the time. David Garner, Brian Ostos, Alejandro Osorio, and Joseph Quinn filed suit this week in US District Court for the Northern District of Florida naming the Destin Fire Control District.

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