Injury at Connecticut Fundraising Event Prompts Suit

The father of a man injured in a mishap at a Connecticut volunteer fire department’s fundraising event last August has filed suit. Timothy Meeker, Sr. filed suit against the Bridgewater Fire Department claiming his son was injured while riding on an antique tractor that was being used to pull vehicles that had become stuck in mud.

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.

Florida Firefighter Accused of Running Fundraising Scam

A Tallahassee firefighter and his wife, a Tallahassee police officer, have been charged in connection with the theft of proceeds from a fundraiser they ran last year. Joseph “Mike” Amison and Jennifer Amison are facing charges of organizing a scheme to defraud, failure to apply contributions in a manner substantially consistent with the solicitation, and two counts of grand theft.

Family Sues Long Island Fire Department Over Theft Allegations

The family of an elderly Long Island volunteer firefighter who was accused of stealing cash from a fundraiser several year ago, is suing the fire company claiming the man had Alzheimer’s. John BaRoss Sr., 80, and a 50 year veteran of the Greenlawn Fire Department, was banned after being accused of pocketing cash while selling pizza at the annual Fireman’s Fair.

NY Judge Refuses to Block Fire Company Fundraiser

A volunteer fire department in New York has been successful in convincing a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by local activists who hoped to block an annual squirrel hunt fundraiser. Lauren Sheive sued the Holley Fire Department in hopes of ending the “Hazzard County Squirrel Slam.” Sheive claimed the event violates the State Environmental Quality Review Act. ...

Jacksonville Fundraiser Followup

Here is a follow up to the story from Jacksonville, Florida earlier this month about firefighters who were photographed in various stages of undress at a fundraising event – involving FD issued PPE.

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