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

Tag Archives: fire department email system

Washington Captain Wins First Amendment Reprieve

The Washington State Supreme Court has reinstated a lawsuit filed by a Spokane Valley fire captain who was terminated because he refused to stop emailing and posting religiously-themed posts over the fire department’s online system. The ruling reversed decisions that upheld the 2012 termination of Captain Jon Sprague from the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Use of Fire Department Email for Union Communications

Today’s burning question: Can my fire department prohibit me from sending a union related email to coworkers using the fire department’s email system? Answer: If your fire department is in a state that tends to follow the National Labor Relations Board, probably not!

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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