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

Tag Archives: Douglas factors

DC Judge Restores Rank to Battalion Chief that Ellerbe Demoted

An administrative law judge for the District of Columbia has overturned the demotion of Battalion Chief Richard Sterne, who was punished by Chief Kenneth Ellerbe for not finding two officers guilty of charges at a disciplinary hearing.

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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