Tag Archives: photo

Massachusetts Chief Prevails in First Amendment Photo Case

A lawsuit brought by a Massachusetts firefighter unhappy with the fire chief for requiring his photo to be taken, has been dismissed. Thomas Swartz, a now-retired firefighter-paramedic with the Borne Fire Department, claims Fire Chief Norman Sylvester ordered him to pose for a photo, and suspended him without pay when he refused.

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Mass Firefighter Sues Fire Chief For Religious Discrimination Over Photo

A Massachusetts firefighter who was disciplined for refusing to pose for a photograph on religious grounds, is suing his fire chief for violating his First Amendment rights. Thomas Swartz, a firefighter-paramedic for the Borne Fire Department, claims Fire Chief Norman Sylvester asked him to pose for a photo, and suspended him for one-day without pay when he refused

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First Amendment and Photography Question

Today’s burning question: If the First Amendment gives people the right to film us in public doing our job, doesn’t it also give a firefighter the right to film while on duty? Our chief says we surrender our First Amendment Rights when we are on duty. How can that be?

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Suspension of NY Firefighter For Facebook Post Prompts $500k Federal Suit

A volunteer firefighter who was suspended over a Facebook post earlier this year, has filed suit against the city, the fire chief, and others involved in his suspension. James Squicciarini alleges that his Constitutional rights were violated when the Amityville Volunteer Fire Department suspended him over a photo he posted on Facebook.

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Top 10 Fire Law Stories for 2013

Happy New Year everyone!!! Here are my top ten stories for 2013. The list is not all YCMTSU, and it certainly is not about major legal precedents… but it does represent the highlight of things that have been going on ...

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Online Photos Spark Investigations in Two Departments

Two stories in the news this week have prompted investigations in their respective fire departments looking into inappropriate behavior of firefighters. Both cases would probably have been non-issues had it not been for the fact that certain photos found their ...

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