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

Tag Archives: right to a hearing

Terminated Iowa Firefighter Alleges Due Process Violation

A volunteer firefighter in Iowa who was terminated last year, has filed suit pro se in US District Court for the District of Iowa claiming a violation of his Fourteenth Amendment rights. Paul Anthony Reed, Sr. filed suit today naming the City of West Liberty, the West Liberty Fire Department, the mayor, city manager, fire chief and assistant chief.

Volunteer Firefighter’s Right To Due Process

Today’s Burning Question: If a volunteer firefighter is dismissed from a department without the governing board following it’s rules on dismissal which includes formal charges and a hearing, can the volunteer file a 1983 claim against the board? Is this a due process violation?

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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