You Can’t Make This Stuff Up

A US Magistrate judge has ruled that Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby will have to appear for an “apex” deposition in a lawsuit over photo-taking at the scene of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash last year. If the term “apex” deposition sounds unusual, it is. Read on.

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A firefighter-plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the legality of a COVID19 vaccine mandate in Orange County, Florida, has been terminated for refusing to issue reprimands to firefighters who did not get vaccinated. That in turn has prompted Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis to call for a special legislative session to enact laws that would prohibit such terminations.

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A probationary firefighter who claims he was sexually harassed and denied an accommodation for his psychological conditions has filed suit alleging sexual harassment and disability discrimination. Johnathan Schaupp filed suit today in US District Court against the City of Casa Grande Fire Department

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A former DC firefighter who spent two years in prison in Virginia has agreed to a $390,000 settlement from Fairfax County. Elon Wilson lost his job with DC Fire & EMS after being arrested by a police officer who later resigned while facing accusations of making pretextual stops.

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A Kentucky fire chief is under investigation after a 20-year-old photo of him wearing blackface makeup surfaced. The Anderson County Fire District started the investigation following the disclosure of the photo during a contentious disciplinary hearing for a former battalion chief on August 19, 2021.

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A lawsuit filed by a Chicago firefighter who claims he was sexually harassed and discriminated against by the department and a female deputy chief, will continue following a refusal by the trial judge to dismiss the city from the action. James Mundo filed suit last year claiming that the city, and a deputy chief discriminated against him in violation of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Monell), and the Illinois Gender Violence Act.

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A Dallas firefighter who took COVID-related sick leave earlier this year, is facing criminal charges for stealing $12,548.86 in wages from the city. William Carter, 38, was arrested and charged by the Dallas Police Department last week.

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A Las Vegas firefighter who reported another firefighter for engaging in sexual misconduct in the firehouse in 2017, has filed suit against the city and IAFF Local 1285 alleging retaliation and breach of the union’s duty of fair representation. Eric Scheumann filed suit today in US District Court for the District of Nevada.

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Two former volunteer firefighters who sued their fire department for expelling them, have been arrested and charged with theft for using fire company funds to pay the attorney they retained to file their lawsuit.

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A Nevada man who reportedly stole firefighting gear, set a fire, and impersonated a firefighter, has been arrested and charged with over one dozen offenses. Kevin Critor, 29, is accused or arson, impersonating a firefighter, and possessing over $50,000 worth of stolen fire gear.

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A Utah firefighter who was terminated earlier this year from the South Davis Metro Fire Department has filed suit claiming the department violated his due process rights and targeted him due to his age. Gary Schvaneveldt filed suit in US District Court for the District of Utah naming the department and Fire Chief Dane Stone.

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A Nebraska firefighter who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2018, has asked the court to take action to protect her from a fire captain who she claims "abandoned her and her crew in a burning warehouse" on April 26. Amanda Benson filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction last week as part of her lawsuit against the City of Lincoln and eight officers.

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The Los Angeles County Fire Department is now facing a fifth lawsuit arising out of the photo-taking scandal surrounding the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash. The January 26, 2020 crash killed nine people including Bryant and his daughter.

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A lawsuit filed last year by an Oklahoma City firefighter has been settled for $175,000. Nicholas Martin claimed he had been harassed by his colleagues at Station 9 on numerous occasions during his short tenure on the department.

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