Florida Hearing Officer Recommends Denial of Veteran’s Preference Complaint in Bonita Springs Promotion Dispute
A hearing officer with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission has recommended the dismissal of a veteran’s preference complaint brought by Bonita Springs firefighter and National Guard veteran John Kutz over the district’s decision to promote anothe…
Federal Court Allows Phoenix Firefighter’s Reverse Discrimination Claims to Proceed
A federal judge in Arizona has partially denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Phoenix firefighter who alleges he was denied promotion because he is a white male. Chad Lancaster, a firefighter-paramedic, filed the suit last year in Maricopa County Su…
Norwich Volunteer Fire Dispute Continues as City and Yantic Agree to Mediation
A dispute between the City of Norwich, Connecticut and one of its volunteer fire companies continues to unfold, with the parties agreeing to mediation while a broader lawsuit filed by several volunteer departments proceeds in court.
Fire Law Roundup for March 9, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 9, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit out of Washington that may reach the SU Supreme Court of the issue of accommodation of firefighters’ religious beliefs; the $1.25 million settlement of an FLSA overtime suit…
Firefighters Seek More Time to Petition U.S. Supreme Court in Vaccine Accommodation Case
Eight Washington firefighters who lost a religious accommodation case in the Ninth Circuit have asked the U.S. Supreme Court for additional time to file a petition for certiorari. The request arises out of Petersen v. Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, a l…
California Battalion Chiefs Settle FLSA Overtime Dispute for $937,000
Ten battalion chiefs with the Tulare County Fire Department have resolved a lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) after a federal court approved a settlement totaling more than $1.25 million.
North Carolina Fire Chief’s Retaliation and Defamation Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss
A federal court in North Carolina has denied motions to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a former part-time fire chief who alleges he was terminated in retaliation for protected speech and subjected to defamatory statements about his conduct. Chief William Lanham …
CA Federal Court Allows Battalion Chief’s First Amendment Retaliation Claim to Proceed Against Fire Chief
A federal district court in California has ruled that a Battalion Chief with the City of Compton Fire Department may proceed to trial on his First Amendment retaliation claim against the Fire Chief, but dismissed his claims against the City and his state law c…
Maryland Federal Court Dismisses Baltimore Firefighter LODD Lawsuit
A federal judge in Maryland has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by the families of three fallen Baltimore City firefighters and a fourth firefighter who was seriously injured in a 2022 rowhouse collapse. The case arises from the January 24, 2022 fire at…
Fire Law Roundup for March 2, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 2, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss the dismissal of two criminal proceedings against firefighters, one in Texas and one in Tennessee; The filing of a long awaited civil suit by former LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley over…
Two Dismissals Top the Fire Law News
The dismissal of two criminal cases against firefighters are in the Fire Law News today, one in Texas, the other in Tennessee.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Sues City Alleging Retaliation After Palisades Fire
Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has filed suit against the City of Los Angeles, alleging she was removed from her position in retaliation for speaking publicly about budget cuts and their impact on public and firefighter safety.
Oregon Fire District Sued by Former Employee Alleging Retaliation and Due Process Violations
A former administrative employee of the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District (NOFD) has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging she was terminated after raising concerns about financial practices and recordkeeping within the district.
Baltimore Paramedic Alleges Religious Discrimination Over Sabbath and Holiday Observance
A Baltimore City Fire Department paramedic has filed a federal lawsuit alleging religious discrimination and failure to accommodate his religious observance, naming the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City as defendan…
CA and OR Cities, Counties Sue Federal Agencies Over Conditions Placed on Fire Service Grant Funding
A coalition of California and Oregon cities and counties has filed suit in federal court challenging new conditions imposed by federal agencies on a wide range of grant programs, including several that directly fund fire departments.
Fire Law Roundup for February 23, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 26, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by the widow of a detective alleging that an EMT took and shared unauthorized photographs of her husband’s body after he was killed in a motorcycle crash; a sexual…
Widow of South Carolina Detective Sues Over Unauthorized Morgue Photos Taken by EMT
The widow of an Anderson County sheriff’s detective has filed suit alleging that an EMT with a private ambulance service took and shared unauthorized photographs of her husband’s body after he was killed in a motorcycle crash.
Virginia Captain Alleges Sex Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation
A veteran fire captain-paramedic has filed a federal lawsuit against Franklin County, Virginia, alleging sex discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation in violation of Title VII. Captain Rena Clark Jennings filed suit against Franklin County P…
Connecticut Fire Chief Alleges Retaliation, Free Speech Violations, and Constructive Termination
A part-time firefighter and volunteer fire chief in East Lyme, Connecticut has filed a multi-count civil lawsuit against the Town of East Lyme, its First Selectman, and a deputy fire marshal, alleging retaliation, free-speech violations, due-process violations…
Albuquerque Paramedic-Staffing Lawsuit Ends With Settlement, Reframes ALS Staffing Debate
A legal dispute between the City of Albuquerque’s administration and its City Council over EMS staffing in Albuquerque Fire Rescue has come to a negotiated conclusion, bringing an end to a lawsuit that has been unfolding for almost a year.