You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

Suit Alleges EMS Responsible for Victim’s Death, Not Homicide Suspect

A South Carolina man who is facing homicide charges has filed a rather unconventional civil rights lawsuit against first responders: he is claiming he is the victim of their failure to provide adequate medical care to the victim. Thomas Reginald Brooks filed suit pro se against nineteen defendants, including Sumter County EMS, the Sumter Police Department, and the Sumter Fire Department.

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Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 22, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a New York volunteer fire company against contractors over toxic fill used in the construction of a new firehouse; the filing ...

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YCMTSU Oregon Prompts Two Federal Lawsuits

“Throughout your life you hear about weird stuff that goes on in small communities and politics and stuff and here we are.” After reading what has been going on in the Tillamook Fire District, I think his quote can only be characterized as a severe understatement.

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Firefighter Claims Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Cost Her Two Jobs

A California firefighter who was dismissed from two different fire departments, has filed suit against one of the departments and three of its officers. Shelly White filed suit against the Rough & Ready Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Robert Vaughn, Captain Matt Wright, and Lieutenant David Hicks alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.

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San Jose Fire’s Pink Poodle Strip Club Case Won’t Go Away Quietly

The San Jose Mercury News has filed suit against the City of San Jose seeking to obtain records related to the fire department investigation into the Pink Poodle strip club incident and the reported discipline of members involved. The suit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court pursuant to the state’s public records law.

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Nevada Firefighter Sued Over Altercation With Woman

A woman who was injured in an altercation with a Sparks firefighter has filed suit alleging battery and excessive force. Maureen Hvegholm filed suit against Timothy Egan in Washoe County District Court. The incident occurred last December and was captured on surveillance video.

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Catching Up on Past Headlines: San Jose CA and Westfield MA

Two cases we have been following have seemingly come to a conclusion this past week. The first case out of San Jose caught quite a bit of media attention due to the titillating nature of the allegations: a video surfaced last fall showing a scantily clad woman exiting a San Jose engine and entering a local strip club.

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Columbus Settles Sexual Harassment Suit for $250k

The City of Columbus has agreed to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by city firefighter over her treatment while in the fire academy in 2019. The suit was originally filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, and later removed to US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

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IAFF Sues NFPA Over Standard Mandating PFAS in PPE

The International Association of Firefighters has filed suit against the National Fire Protection Association claiming that portions of NFPA 1971 wrongfully impose requirements on structure fire turnout gear that, in essence, mandate the use of cancer-causing PFAS. The three-count complaint alleges civil conspiracy, violation of Massachusetts’ unfair and deceptive trade practices act, and negligence.

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