Tag Archives: threats

Airport Firefighters Seek Injunction to Prevent Retaliation Over IAFF Censure

Nine members of IAFF Local 3217, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Professional Firefighters, have filed suit against the Authority and three chief officers seeking an injunction to prevent retaliation against them for trying to bring to light safety related staffing concerns. The nine firefighters are the elected officers and executive board of the local.

FLSA, Executive Exemption, Threats and Retaliation

Today’s burning question: The line chiefs in my fire department (deputy and battalion chiefs assigned to shifts) have gotten together to file an FLSA claim. We feel we are improperly classified as being exempt executives when we should be hourly employees. The Fire Chief has publicly stated that if we are successful, he will change our titles to eliminate the word “Chief”. Can he do that?

Texas Firefighter-Soldier Claims City Fired Him Over Wage Claim

A Texas firefighter who was terminated after complaining about the way his fire department was calculating his hours and compensation while on Army reserve duty has filed suit alleging retaliation under both the USERRA and the FLSA. Bradley R. Casey was a captain with the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department.

Boston Firefighter Fired Over Online Posts

The Boston firefighter who posted a cartoon image of a muscular Black man carrying the severed head of a white man, has been terminated. Octavius Rowe, a 15 year veteran, was fired on April 30, 2018 following an investigation that began last October

Illinois Firefighter Facing Termination Over Threats

An Illinois firefighter who is accused of threatening to “kill” someone if he did not make a promotional list, is now facing termination proceedings. FF Paramedic Lloyd Miller, a 12-year veteran of the Mount Prospect Fire Department, is accused of making the threat on January 13, 2017.

Boilerplate Language In Policies

Today’s burning question: Many of our policies have a boilerplate statement saying that “company officers shall enforce this policy” and the “failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action.” Is this language really necessary? Answer: While there is nothing inherently wrong with such language… I am not a fan of it. It implies that your members are not inclined to follow the rules unless threatened…

Louisiana Chief Sues Over Threats

A Louisiana fire chief who was cooperating with federal authorities looking into financial improprieties associated with the previous administration has filed suit claiming his resignation last year was actually a constructive termination. Stanley Wajda served as the fire chief of the Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department for only six months. He resigned last July after receiving numerous threats from members he claims were loyal to the past fire chief.

Houston Firefighter In Trouble Over Facebook Rant

A Houston fire captain who was upset about his truck being broken into is in hot water over a Facebook rant that threatened Hispanic teenagers in his neighborhood.

Union Drops Grievance of Fired Lieutenant

An Ohio firefighter who was terminated in April for bringing an AR15 to work and in an unrelated matter threatening to cut the throat of a union official, has lost his bid to grieve his termination because the union decided not to pursue arbitration of his grievance.

Connecticut City and Captain Eye Settlement of 7 Year Old Suit

A Connecticut fire captain appears to be a step closer to settling a 7 year old suit against two chief officers and the Meridan Fire Department. Captain Roger Kindschi filed suit in 2006 against Assistant Chief Louis DiGennaro, Assistant Chief ...

Two Kentucky Firefighters Allege Harassment

Two Kentucky firefighters have filed suit in state court alleging they have been sexually harassed, threatened and abused by a deputy chief. They are suing the department and the chief who they claim is responsible. George Givens and Michael Killebrew ...

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