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

Tag Archives: Office of Inspector General

Jefferson Parish Investigation Finds Fire Companies Misspent $8.5 Million

The Office of Inspector General for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has issued a report that identified $28 million in questionable spending by volunteer fire companies, including $8.5 million that the OIG concluded was misspent. The report covers a ten-year period between 2013 and 2023, and goes on to recommend some major changes, including the consolidation of fire districts and volunteer fire companies.

Progress Reported by Chicago Fire on Addressing EEO Concerns

The City of Chicago’s OIG has completed a follow-up report on its 2021 audit of the Chicago Fire Department’s discrimination and sexual harassment policies. The OIG concluded that while the policies themselves met the requirements of the law, they were insufficient to fully protect members who are vulnerable to discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

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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