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

Tag Archives: City Administrator Eric Olsen

Pensacola Chiefs Vindicated By $575k Settlement

Two former chief officers of the Pensacola Fire Department have settled their lawsuits against the city for the sum of $575,000. Interim Chief Matthew Schmitt and Deputy Chief Joseph Glover filed separate lawsuits back in 2016 accusing the city of race discrimination and retaliation.

Pensacola Chief Sues for Retaliation

A white Florida fire chief who was terminated after raising concerns about the treatment of an African American deputy chief by the city’s human resource director, has filed suit in federal court alleging race discrimination and retaliation. Matthew Schmitt served as interim fire chief in Pensacola from 2010 until he was terminated last May.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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