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

Tag Archives: James L. England

Man Who Lost Wife and Daughters in Gatlinburg Fire Sues Park Service For $14 million

A man who lost his wife and two daughters in the devastating wildland fire that tore through Gatlinburg in 2016, has filed a $14 million lawsuit against the National Park Service claiming negligence by its supervisors allowed the fire to grow to an uncontrollable size. Michael B. Reed filed suit last week naming the United States of America as the sole defendant.

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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