Tag Archives: Massachusetts Civil Service Commission

Fire Law Roundup for March 6, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 6, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a volunteer theft case out of North Carolina; a Louisiana Court of Appeals ruling on cancer presumptions for firefighters; a Ninth Circuit decision holding the ...

MA Civil Service Rules Against Boston Captain in Promotional Exam Delay Case

The civil service appeal of a Boston fire captain over his right to sit for an upcoming promotional examination for district chief has been denied by the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission. Captain Kevin Ranahan filed the appeal after he was denied the opportunity to take the district chief exam scheduled for March 25, 2023.

Civil Service Upholds Bypass of Somerville, MA Firefighter

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld the bypass of a female military veteran for a position as a reserve firefighter in Somerville. Virginia Hussey challenged the city’s decision to bypass her hiring in 2021.

Mass Civil Service Commission Upholds Bypass of Candidate for Positive THC Test

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld a decision by a fire department to bypass a candidate for a positive THC test. The decision is interesting because the candidate tested negative on a urinalysis and several hair tests, but positive when his beard hair was tested.

Massachusetts Cancels Promotional Exams for Fire Departments

Fire departments in Massachusetts are in an uproar after the Human Resource Division of the state’s civil service system announced a cancellation of all promotional testing following a ruling by a Superior Court judge that a promotional exam administered to police officers was discriminatory.

Massachusetts Civil Service Reinstates Deputy Chief But Demotes Him to Firefighter

The Mass Civil Service Commission has overturned the termination of a deputy chief, but concluded that the fire department had established enough misconduct to warrant his demotion to firefighter. The case involved Easton Dep. Chief Timothy Griffin, who was charged with several offenses stemming from a domestic incident on January 26, 2018.

Civil Service Commission Orders Extraordinary Remedy in Promotion Bypass Case

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has ordered the promotion of a female firefighter who was bypassed for promotion to captain due to favoritism. In doing so, the Commission gave the Methuen Fire Department the option of demoting the captain who was promoted, or creating a new captain’s position for the bypassed firefighter.

Brookline Settles Claims With African American Firefighter for $11 Million

The town of Brookline, Massachusetts has agreed to pay an African American firefighter $11 million to settle a dispute that dates back to 2010 and resulted in at least five separate lawsuits. Gerald Alston claims his problems began when a when a supervisor left a voice mail calling him a racial slur while he was off on a work-related injury.

Three Westfield Firefighters Reinstated by Civil Service Commission

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission delivered a stunning rebuke to the City of Westfield criticizing the handling of a disciplinary investigation against three firefighters who were involved in reporting concerns about sexual harassment. In doing so the Commission ordered the reinstatement of Captain Rebecca Boutin, FF Kyle Miltimore, and FF David Kennedy.

No-Visible Tattoo Policy Upheld by Mass Civil Service Commission

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has upheld a no-visible tattoo policy in a challenge brought by an applicant to the Brockton Fire Department. Corey Matchem was bypassed by the Brockton Fire Department in 2019 over his “non-compliance with the department’s Tattoo, Body Piercing and Mutilation Policy for New Hires.”

Collateral Damage Discipline of Boston Lieutenants Reversed

In a particularly blunt decision, the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has overturned the discipline of two Boston fire lieutenants referring to them as “collateral damage for what appears to be a strategic move to counter” race discrimination allegations. Lt Marc Hayhurst and Lt Brian Summering were suspended for two tours each.

Boston Firefighter Challenges Civil Service Ruling on Termination

A Boston firefighter who was fired last year over incendiary social media posts has filed suit to challenge a state civil service ruling that upheld his termination. Octavius Rowe was fired by the Boston Fire Department on April 30, 2018 following a lengthy investigation.

Massachusetts Firefighter’s Case Returned to Civil Service Commission For Reconsideration

A Brookline firefighter has prevailed in his appeal of a Massachusetts Civil Service Commission decision that upheld his 2016 termination. Gerald Alston was fired in 2016 after years of efforts to address his workplace behavior failed.

Mass Civil Service Commission Overturns Lieutenant’s Discipline

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has overturned the suspension of a Rockland Fire Department lieutenant, and in the process raised questions about favoritism and racism in the department. Lt. Craig Erickson was initially disciplined over an incident when a mutual aid response as a RIT to a working structure fire was delayed as personnel argued over who was to respond.

Page 1 of 212 »