You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

Firing of Flint Fire Chief Could Be a First Amendment Violation

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a mayor who retaliates against a fire chief for refusing to make false statements to the public about a matter of public concern, is not entitled to qualified immunity. As a result, a mayor could be liable to the chief for violating his First Amendment rights.

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New Haven Suit Comes to an End

A contentious lawsuit brought by a former assistant chief in New Haven, Connecticut against several other chief officers has finally come to a conclusion. Orlando Marcano, who was the Assistant Chief of Administration, filed suit in 2019 naming Fire Chief John Alston, Assistant Chief of Operations Mark Vendetto, IAFF Local 825 Union President Frank Ricci, and an administrative assistant, Cherlyn Poindexter.

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NY EMT and Commissioner Sentenced

A former EMT and fire commissioner with the Woodmere Fire District was sentenced one-year in jail for falsifying a court transcript related to the dismissal of criminal charges against him for something that occurred while he was responding to an elevator emergency.

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LA County Captain Settles With Shooter’s Estate

A Los Angeles County fire captain who was shot by a disgruntled firefighter in 2021, has reached a settlement with the shooter’s estate. Captain Arnoldo V. Sandoval suffered serious injuries including paralysis in the shooting that occurred at Station 81 on June 1, 2021 following shift change.

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YCMTSU Massachusetts: Firefighter Charged With Identity Theft

A Massachusetts firefighter has been arrested on federal identity theft charges. He is suspected of having stolen the identity of a dead person following his conviction for embezzling from the firefighters’ union of a different Massachusetts fire department and using his new identity to rejoin the fire service.

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EMS Crew in Trouble Over Callous Treatment of Patient

An EMS crew from Catskill, New York is facing an investigation following the release of a video showing their treatment of a patient. The crew rather callously refused to carry the man to the EMS vehicle, allowing him to fall in the ambulance between the stretcher and the bench seat.

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KCMO Firefighter Charged in YCMTSU Case

A firefighter in Kansas City, Missouri is facing felony charges for reportedly urinating on a female colleague’s personal property in a KC firehouse. KC police have charged Pleaze Robinson III with first-degree harassment and first-degree property damage over the incident that occurred on September 10, 2023.

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Connecticut PIO Sues Police for False Arrest and Malicious Prosecution

The Connecticut PIO who has charged with violating Joshua’s law on photo-taking by first responders, has filed suit against a police lieutenant, a Connecticut State Trooper and the Town of Montville alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil rights violation actionable through 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

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Judge Abruptly Dismisses Suit Against FDNY

A lawsuit filed by a former FDNY electrician accusing the city of discrimination and retaliation has been dismissed, accompanied by a blistering decision by the trial judge. Edward Pitre filed the action in 2018 alleging race discrimination, retaliation, and a violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

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Louisiana Firefighter Charged With Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer

A volunteer firefighter in Louisiana is facing charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer after he entered two establishments wearing his fire department uniform and a gun, and identified himself as an arson investigator. Michael Shane Miller was arrested by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office following the January 12, 2024 incident.

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Fire Law Annual Review for 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup Brad and Curt review the highlight cases from 2023.  Here are Brad’s top cases: 1Louisiana Firefighters Claim Fingerprinting is Unconstitutional2KC MO Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Apparatus Accident3Nashville Sued by Driver ...

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