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Alberta Babysitter is Both Hero and Defendant
A Canadian teenager who saved two children from a trailer fire in 2007, is now a defendant in a lawsuit over responsibility for the fire. Aaliyah Braybrook, of Alberta, was 12 years old at the time of...
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Fresno Sex Discrimination Suit Settled
Michelle Maher’s sexual discrimination suit against the Frenso Fire Department has been settled. The single mom who claims she was forced out of the 2005 training academy, won her gender discrimination...
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New Firefighter Residency Law Challenged
On June 25, 2010, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed a bill into law that eliminated the residency requirement for St. Louis firefighters. On July 1, 2010, the City of St. Louis filed suit to challenge...
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Seattle Firefighter Under Investigation for Falsely Claiming a Disabling Injury
A Seattle firefighter’s $12.8 million judgment against the city as well as his pension may be in jeopardy as the result of an investigation into just how serious his job-related injuries actually are....
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Tampa Radio Show Turkey Stunt Results In No Charges Despite Fire
Florida officials have decided not to file criminal charges against a Tampa morning radio host who was responsible for a live stunt involving a fire in a van last December. Todd Schnitt, the host of...
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Gambling Charges Brought against BC in South San Francisco
Last Friday, a South San Francisco Battalion Chief was charged with running a gambling operation while on duty. Chief James Selvitella is alleged to have used city phones, computers and work time to...
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Fire Service Court Radio: Tennessee Subscription FD – Refusual to Respond
This week's Fire Service Court Radio discusses the recent decision by the City of South Fulton Fire Department – not to respond to a fire in a non-subscriber's home. Listen as attorneys Brad Pinsky,...
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Buffalo LODD Widow Sues Fire Department for Husband’s Death
In what seems to have become standard practice following a line of duty death, the widow of Buffalo Fire Lt. Charles McCarthy has filed suit against the city of Buffalo and Fire Commissioner Mike...
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Suit Alleging Unnecessary Damage By Firefighters Dismissed
The owner of a historic building in the Borough of Glendon, Pennsylvania, has lost his suit against Glendon and the City of Easton for damage to the building following a fire on June 14, 2008. Owner...
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Georgia Firefighter Suspected in Over 20 Arson Fires
A volunteer firefighter in Lafayette, Georgia has been arrested and charged with one count of arson. However, Marvin Chase, 32, is a suspect in over 20 fires and is being referred to as a serial...
View ArticleHow Do We Deal With An Incompetent Probie
Today’s burning question: Is it legally acceptable for a chief officer to recommend that a probationary firefighter resign during a fire academy? Answer: There is nothing inherently illegal with an...
View ArticleSexual Harassment in Westbrook – The Story Continues
There has been another development in the decade long sexual harassment battle in the Westbrook, Maine Fire Department, as two male firefighters have contested disciplinary actions imposed against...
View ArticleReady… Fire… Aim
On December 23, 2009, a Superior Court Judge in New Jersey, dismissed internal administrative charges against three Atlantic City firefighters who were suspended in the aftermath of a sensationalized...
View ArticleFamilies Sue Building Owners for Fire Deaths
The families of three young women killed in a fire at the Willows of Coventry apartment complex in Fort Wayne, Indiana on January 23, 2009, are now suing the owners of the property, alleging they...
View ArticleWestbrook Replaces Its Fire Chief
Over the past few months, I have written twice about the Westbrook, Maine Fire Department, and the difficulty they seem to be having in addressing allegations of sexual harassment. Now comes word that...
View ArticleBeaufort Fire Given New Assignment
There are many reasons why the fire service has such a strong connection to the law, but a recent story out of South Carolina brought that connection home to me once again in a way I had not expected....
View ArticleVolunteer Deputy Chief Slapped with 6 Month Suspension
Todays burning question: Can a volunteer firefighter be disciplined for publically supporting a petition NOT to lay off two career firefighters. There’s an interesting case developing in Monroe...
View ArticleAtlantic City Fire and Police Chiefs Join Forces To Sue Mayor and Council
Over the years, there have been a number of fire service lawsuits that have left me shaking my head, but a recent suit filed by the fire chief and the police chief of Atlantic City, New Jersey AGAINST...
View ArticleHalifax Fire Facing 18 Suits & $10 Million in Claims for 2009 Wildland Fire
A Canadian fire department is facing 18 separate lawsuits seeking a total of $10 million in damages arising out of a wildland fire that occurred last spring. Halifax Regional Municipality and the...
View ArticleAlberta Babysitter is Both Hero and Defendant
A Canadian teenager who saved two children from a trailer fire in 2007, is now a defendant in a lawsuit over responsibility for the fire. Aaliyah Braybrook, of Alberta, was 12 years old at the time of...
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