Tag Archives: battery

DC Firefighter Assaulted At Scene Accused Of Being Impaired

A DC firefighter who was assaulted by several people at the scene of an emergency involving an injured child, is now being investigated for being under the influence. The incident occurred yesterday when firefighters responded to a 3-year old injured in a fall, but the child’s parents refused to allow a firefighter to treat the child because he appeared to be impaired.

7th Circuit Reinstates Chicago Firefighter’s Discrimination Suit

A lawsuit that accuses a Chicago Fire Department lieutenant and captain of discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation has been reinstated by the US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The suit was filed by former firefighter Roberto Alamo against Lieutenant Charlie Bliss, Captain Patrick Stefan and the City of Chicago.

Ohio Chief Accepts 90-Day Suspension

An Ohio fire chief has agreed to accept a 90-day suspension rather than face a disciplinary proceeding that could potentially have cost him position. Braceville Township Fire Chief Todd Garland was facing six charges related to an incident that occurred in June, 2016 while personnel were attending to a combative patient.

Chicago Police Fire War Case Resurfaces

A Chicago police officer who was involved in an on-duty altercation with a Chicago fire captain in 2011 that resulted in a $1.6 million settlement in favor of the police officer, has filed a new suit claiming he was demoted in retaliation for the first suit.

San Diego Fire Investigating Complaint About Interference With Filming In Public

The San Diego Fire Department is investigating a complaint filed by a videographer who claims that a firefighter touched him as he was filming an EMS patient on a public street. The videographer, J.C. Playford, was filming a female patient as she was being wheeled on a stretcher toward an ambulance when the unidentified firefighter confronted Playford and the two begin arguing.

Canadian Fire Department Sued Over Invasive Cervix Examination

A Canadian woman is suing the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Department and the Halifax Regional Municipality claiming that firefighters conducted an “invasive examination” of her cervix last year when she was pregnant.

Family Seeks $11 Million from Glendale Firefighters for Assault

Here is a follow up to the story we covered last week with regards to the Glendale, Arizona firefighters who were disciplined for using excessive force against a man who assaulted them. The family of James Murillo has filed a multi-million dollar claim against the City of Glendale, Captain Sean Alford and Acting Captain Daniel Padilla, claiming the firefighters assaulted and verbally abused the mentally ill man last October.

Combative Patients and Self-Defense

Today’s burning question: My crew was on an EMS run and the patient took a swing at us. Can we hit him back to defend ourselves? Answer: You can defend yourself, yes. If striking the patient is necessary to defend yourself, then yes you can strike the patient without being liable for battery. However, you cannot strike the patient in retaliation for him swinging or striking you, nor can you strike the patient out of frustration… even if he swung first!!!

Louisiana Chief Fired For Slapping Butt of Female Firefighter

A Louisiana fire chief has been terminated and is facing criminal charges for slapping a female firefighter on the butt during a fire prevention program at a local school. Fire Chief Michael Arnold of the Eunice Fire Department was terminated earlier this week by the Eunice City Council. The incident reportedly occurred on October 9, 2014.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone