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

Tag Archives: progressive discipline

Court Upholds Termination of San Jose Firefighter

A San Jose firefighter who was terminated in 2009, has lost a second appeal to the California Court of Appeals. Grant Seibert was terminated following allegations that he sent sexually suggestive emails to a 16-year old girl who visited the fire station, and for his behavior toward a female colleague.

Texas Lieutenant Loses Progressive Discipline Appeal

A Texas lieutenant who was suspended indefinitely for being rude on an emergency run, and who convinced an independent hearing examiner that the penalty violated principles of progressive discipline, has lost his appeal to keep his job. Lt. Fabian Scott Butler of the Big Spring Fire Department was suspended following a run to the Federal Correction Institute at Big Spring.

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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