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

Tag Archives: gated communities

Emergency Scene Photos and Expectation of Privacy in Gated Communities

Today’s burning question: I serve as the photographer for my department. In my station’s first due district we have a gated community. In the event of a response into the development, would the residents have a greater expectation of privacy from photo-taking since the area is gated? Answer: The short answer is the taking of the photos/video is probably legal, but the use of the photos/video is what is more likely to get you into trouble.

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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