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

Tag Archives: Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr

Texas Fire Captain Suspended Over Facebook Posts

A fire captain in Austin, Texas has been suspended for 30 days without pay for posting political comments on Facebook. Captain Gregory Zenkner agreed to the terms of the discipline rather than face an indefinite suspension (a Texas term for termination) or a demotion.

Austin Firefighters Angered Over 16 Suspensions

Austin Firefighters are taking to the media with concerns about the growing number of firefighters being suspended for traffic incidents. Sixteen firefighters have been suspended in the past month, prompting IAFF Local 975 President Bob Nicks to complain about an “over-punishing environment” that is “harmful to morale”.

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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