Suit by Political Activist Against Fire Chief and City is Dismissed

A lawsuit filed against a fire chief, a fire marshal and a Tennessee city by a political activist who was defeated in a 2018 election, has been dismissed. Chris Spencer unsuccessfully ran for an Alderman’s position for the City of Hendersonville. He claims Hendersonville Fire Chief Scotty Bush and Fire Marshal Paul Varble used city time and resources to help defeat him.

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Social Media Posts Lead to Reassignment of Florida Lieutenant

A veteran Jacksonville fire lieutenant has been reassigned to headquarters as the department investigates complaints into his social media posts. Anthony Treadwell is accused of posting photos depicting Aunt Jemima and the Confederate flag, along with commentary supporting the group “Proud Boys”.

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Philly Not Liable for Fire Deaths

The City of Philadelphia will not have to pay damages to the estates of three people who died in a fire in 2018, according to a US Third Circuit of Appeals ruling handed down today. While the facts may have made for a rather compelling case, in the end the law was on the city’s side.

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California EMTs Sue For COVID19-Safety Related Termination

Two California EMTs who were terminated after refusing to transport COVID 19 patients last spring because they were not supplied with properly-fitting N95 masks, have filed separate suits claiming wrongful termination, gender discrimination, retaliation, and violation of California Labor code.

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Minnesota City Settles Maternity Discrimination Suit for $50k

The City of Little Falls, Minnesota has agreed to settle a pregnancy-maternity discrimination suit filed by an on-call firefighter for $50,000. Lisa Lintner filed suit June 30, 2020 claiming that the city’s refusal to award her pension service credit for 2018 due to her maternity-related leave violates the state’s Pregnancy and Parental Leave Act

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Houston Chiefs Prevail in Suit Brought By A District Chief

The dismissal of a lawsuit brought against two ranking chief officers of the Houston Fire Department by a district chief over a social media post has been upheld by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. District Chief Steven Dunbar filed the federal court action pro se after he was suspended and transferred for a social media post.

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BLM Prevails in Suit Alleging Negligence in Wildland Fire

Is the failure to comply with a policy evidence of negligence or proof that commanders had discretion? A lawsuit filed against the Bureau of Land Management over its handling of the "Patch Springs Fire" in Utah in 2013, has been dismissed because fireground commanders were exercising discretion.

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Kentucky Truck Driver Sues Arizona Fire Department in Kentucky

A Kentucky truck driver has filed suit in Kentucky against an Arizona fire department, an Arizona truck stop, an Arizona hospital and a bank over an incident that occurred in Tolleson, Arizona on June 24, 2020. lshimwe Grace filed suit today naming the Tolleson Fire Department, Loves Truck Stop, Abrazo West Campus, and PNC bank.

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Federal Appeals Court Refuses To Block FDNY Enforcement of AirBNB Law

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has refused to enjoin FDNY and the New York City Department of Buildings from enforcing New York Multiple Dwelling Law § 121, commonly referred to as the "AirBNB Law." The law restricts property owners from advertising the use of a “Class A Multiple Dwelling” for non-permanent (transient) residential purposes.

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Social Media in a Volunteer Department

Today’s Burning Question: Our volunteer fire department has our own Facebook page and the fire-police have a page they created on their own. Please correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t the Facebook page belong to the creators, not the fire department? In other words, the fire department cannot make the fire-police get rid of the page, can they?

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