Tag Archives: free speech

California Fire Chief Terminated Over Comments

The past few weeks have seen unprecedented numbers of firefighters in the headlines over comments posted in social media related to race relations. Sometimes we get so accustomed to speech-related discipline being associated with social media posts, that we forget that non-social-media-related speech can be just as problematic. And so it was with Manhattan Beach Fire Chief Daryn Drum.

Read More »

Florida Fire District Sued For Viewpoint Discrimination

A Florida man has filed suit against a fire district claiming that his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when the department’s public information officer blocked him from the department’s Facebook page. Randy Scott filed against the Lehigh Acres Fire Control And Rescue District and PIO Katie Heck suit this week.

Read More »

Palm Beach County Social Media Suit Dismissed

A lawsuit filed last year by two captains with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue after they were disciplined for social media posts, has been dismissed. Captain AJ O’Laughlin and Captain Crystal Little filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court last May. It was later removed to federal court.

Read More »

Today’s Burning Question: Should The Loser Pay?

Today’s Burning Question: If someone files suit against a fire department and loses, shouldn’t they have to pay the city’s legal bills? Answer: That is not how our legal system works. Let’s use a recent case out of Sebring, Florida to better understand the issues.

Read More »

Suspension of NY Firefighter For Facebook Post Prompts $500k Federal Suit

A volunteer firefighter who was suspended over a Facebook post earlier this year, has filed suit against the city, the fire chief, and others involved in his suspension. James Squicciarini alleges that his Constitutional rights were violated when the Amityville Volunteer Fire Department suspended him over a photo he posted on Facebook.

Read More »

NJ Chief Claims Termination Was Political Retaliation

A New Jersey fire chief whose position was eliminated and then refilled by his deputy chief has filed suit in US District Court alleging it was blatant political retaliation. Westampton Township fire chief Jason Carty was fired after the position he held, Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Services, was eliminated through a political slight-of-hand.

Read More »

Suspended Hartford Deputy Chief Files Suit

A deputy chief from Hartford, Connecticut who was suspended for 30 days without pay last week, has filed suit against his fire chief, two other ranking officers, and the mayor alleging violations of his right to free speech. Deputy Chief Daniel Nolan filed suit today in Connecticut Superior Court naming Fire Chief Carlos Huertas, Interim Assistant Chief Scott Brady, Fire Marshal Roger Martin, Mayor Pedro Segarra.

Read More »

Is Clicking Like Really Saying Anything?

I received a very timely and thought provoking question for today’s burning question: Is clicking “Like” to a Facebook post making a public statement sufficient to get someone in trouble? I should probably start by asking – who do I ...

Read More »