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

Tag Archives: turning hose stream on protestors

FDNY Firefighter Claims Retaliation for Exercising Free Speech Rights

An FDNY firefighter who claims he was retaliated against after raising concerns about a suggestion he might be required to turn hose streams on protestors, has filed suit against the city and six ranking officers. Omar Wilks filed suit contending he was disciplined, transferred and demoted for exercising his First Amendment rights to voice his concerns.

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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