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

Tag Archives: civil rights violation

RI Firehouse Altercation Prompts Federal Lawsuit

A Rhode Island fire lieutenant who claims he was assaulted in the firehouse by a deputy chief has filed suit in US District Court against the fire department, the firefighters’ union and the deputy chief. Cranston Lieutenant Scott Bergantino filed suit last week naming the City of Cranston, IAFF Local 1363, and Deputy Chief Paul Valletta as defendants.

Georgia FD EMT Sued Over Positional Asphyxia Death

A fire department EMT and two sheriff’s deputies from Coweta County, Georgia have been sued for violating the civil rights of a man who died of positional asphyxia while being restrained. Chase Sherman died on November 20, 2015 after being tased and subdued by Coweta County responders on I85 in Coweta County.

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 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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