Louisville Revisiting Policies on Driver License Checks

A Louisville firefighter who is facing charges of driving without a license has prompted the department to revisit its policies on driver’s license checks. Ramiro Rodriguez is facing a number of charges including driving without a license, stemming from an incident last month.

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Fire Law Roundup for February 10, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 10, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a jury verdict awarding a former Nashville fire captain $1.8 million; the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a Washington firefighter alleging race discrimination; a ...

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Demoted Nashville Captain Awarded $1.8 Million

A former Nashville fire captain who was demoted over social media posts, has been awarded $1.8 million in damages by a federal court jury for violation of his First Amendment rights. Captain Tracy Turner claimed he was investigated and demoted because his posts “offended someone in the African American Community.”

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Washington State Recruit Noose Case Dismissed

A lawsuit filed by an African American recruit firefighter in Washington state who had a noose placed around his neck by a fellow recruit, has been voluntarily dismissed. Elijah Page filed the action in federal court back in 2023 against the Clark County Fire District 6, three chief officers, a captain and former recruit John Erickson.

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NY Court Rules FD Violated Lieutenant’s Rights

A Suffolk County, New York judge has ruled that the Stony Brook Fire District improperly suspended a volunteer fire lieutenant, and in doing so violated his statutory right to due process. Thomas J. Killeen filed suit under a NY law that allows aggrieved persons to challenge acts or omissions of a governmental entity, an action known as an Article 78 proceeding.

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Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 3, 2025, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by a former NH fire chief alleging defamation; an appellate decision sending DC’s no-beard rule case back to district court; a magistrate’s ...

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NH Chief Alleges Defamation and Conspiracy

A New Hampshire fire chief who was terminated in 2023, has filed suit against two firefighters who accused him of making racist remarks. Former Nottingham Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock filed suit against Francis Bruno, Vash Rosfield, and the Town of Nottingham.

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Appellate Court Sends DC No Beard Rule Case Back to District Court

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has overturned a decision by a district court that refused to find the District of Columbia Fire Department in contempt for instituting a no beard rule. The procedural history of the case is complicated, and the court did not rule on the merits of the case.

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Magistrate Rules Baltimore Discrimination Suit Should be Dismissed

A US District Court Magistrate Judge has ruled that a race discrimination suit filed by a lieutenant with the Baltimore City Fire Department ought to be dismissed. Lt. Mitchell Waters filed suit in 2023 alleging he was targeted by white officers in the department after he had a “verbal exchange” with a female Baltimore County paramedic whose husband is a city fire officer.

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NJ Appellate Division Rules Firefighters Can Sue to Challenge CBA

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has ruled that two Paterson firefighters who claim that the city’s method of calculating overtime violates state wage and hour laws, are entitled to have their case heard in court, despite the fact that the city uses a method prescribed by the collective bargaining agreement, and despite the CBA’s arbitration provision.

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Ohio Fire District Not Liable for Death of Unbelted Passenger

An Ohio appellate court has ruled that firefighters owed no duty to prevent a woman from boarding or riding on a fire truck without a seat belt, because she was an independent adult who assumed that risk. The case was brought following the death of Marguerite Appel who died after she fell out of a Short Creek Joint Fire District engine following a firefighter funeral.

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