St. Lucie County Fire District Terminates Three Over Alleged Hazing With Modified Bug Zapper
The St. Lucie County Fire District has terminated three firefighter-paramedics and suspended two others following an outside investigation into the use of a modified bug zapper to shock probationary and apprentice firefighters back in 2024.
Fire Law Roundup for July 20, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 20, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a suit filed against a Florida fire department over the death of an applicant during a physical abilities test; an apparent oversight in New Jersey state wage and hour law that appear…
Family Sues Fort Myers Over Firefighter Applicant’s Heat-Related Death During Physical Assessment
The family of a firefighter applicant who died after collapsing during a pre-employment physical abilities test has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Fort Myers, alleging that the City required candidates to complete a physically demanding eva…
New Jersey Minimum Wage Law May Have Broader Implications for Fire Departments
In this special edition of Fire Law VLOG, Bill Maccarone and Curt discuss an important development out of New Jersey with significant implications for firefighter and police overtime. Are New Jersey firefighters and police officers entitled to overtime after 4…
Seventh Circuit Upholds Termination of Chicago Firefighter Over Racist Facebook Posts
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the termination of a Chicago firefighter whose public Facebook posts contained racist and offensive comments directed at Black and Asian Americans. The court concluded that the Chicago Fire Department’s interest …
Texas Mother Sues Volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff, Funeral Home and Others Over Death Investigation
A Texas mother has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that multiple public officials and private entities mishandled the investigation into the death of her 21-year-old son, failed to preserve evidence, improperly identified his remains, and cremate…
Federal Magistrate Recommends Dismissal of Former Georgia Fire Chief’s Race Discrimination and Retaliation Suit
A federal magistrate judge has recommended that summary judgment be granted in favor of Douglas County, Georgia, in a lawsuit filed by former Fire Chief/EMS Director Roderick B. Jolivette, who alleged that the county discriminated against him because of his ra…
East Chicago Firefighters Settle First Amendment Retaliation Case for $1.2 Million
The City of East Chicago has agreed to pay $1.2 million to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by members of East Chicago Professional Firefighters Local 365 alleging they were subjected to retaliation for engaging in protected First Amendment activity.
Fire Law Roundup for July 13, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 13, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss new allegations being brought against a Muncie fire captain who recently prevailed on allegations of helping students cheat on exams; a lawsuit filed by a Colorado firefighter claimin…
Muncie Seeks to Terminate Captain Following New Misconduct Complaint
The City of Muncie has initiated a new effort to terminate Captain Troy Dulaney, filing a second amended complaint of misconduct with the Muncie Fire Merit Commission that seeks his dismissal from the Muncie Fire Department.
Colorado Firefighter Alleges Retaliation, Age Discrimination, Wage Violations and False Claims Act Retaliation
A Colorado firefighter has filed suit against the Platteville-Gilcrest Fire Protection District, its fire chief, the Town of Platteville, and the Town of Gilcrest, alleging that he was terminated after repeatedly raising concerns about firefighter training, pu…
California Family Seeks Permission to File Late Claim in Lake Castaic Drowning
The family of a man who drowned while paddleboarding at Lake Castaic has petitioned the LA County Superior Court for permission to pursue a wrongful death claim against the County of Los Angeles, the LA County Fire Department, the LA County Parks and Recreatio…
Investigation Finds California Fire Captains Misused Positions in House-Flipping Venture
An independent investigation commissioned by the City of Sacramento concluded that two Sacramento Fire Department captains improperly used their positions as firefighters in connection with the purchase, renovation and resale of the home of an elderly woman th…
Tenth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Constitutional Claims Against Colorado Springs Paramedic
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of federal constitutional claims brought against a Colorado Springs Fire Department paramedic and a Colorado Springs police officer arising from the 2022 death of a man experiencing a m…
Fire Law Roundup for July 6, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 6, 2026, Paul Doughty and Curt discuss a lawsuit filed by two former Clark County NV probationary firefighters alleging race discrimination; the dismissal of a suit brought by a firefighter against a police officer …
Nevada Firefighters Sue Clark County Alleging Race Discrimination and Hostile Work Environment
Two former probationary firefighters have filed suit in federal court against the Clark County Fire Department and the fire chief alleging they were subjected to race discrimination, a racially hostile work environment, and retaliation that culminated in their…
Federal Court Grants Qualified Immunity to Connecticut Police Officer in Fire PIO Arrest Case
A federal judge has ruled that a Connecticut police lieutenant who arrested a volunteer firefighter serving as his department’s Public Information Officer is entitled to qualified immunity in a lawsuit arising from the firefighter’s 2021 arrest for posting pho…
Nashville Man Seeks Court Order to Preserve Fire Department Records After Alleged Refusal of Transport and Medical Treatment Was Ignored
A Tennessee man has filed an emergency petition asking a Tennessee court to order the Nashville Fire Department, Nashville Police Department, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a Nashville restaurant to preserve evidence from an incident in which he all…
Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Sues Mayor Karen Bass for Defamation
Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has filed a defamation lawsuit against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, alleging that the Mayor repeatedly made false statements blaming Chief Crowley for decisions surrounding the January 2025 Palisades Fire in an ef…
Gary Fire Department Paramedic Alleges Sexual Harassment, Retaliation and Gender Discrimination
A paramedic formerly employed by the Gary Fire Department has filed suit in federal court alleging that the department failed to stop months of sexual harassment, retaliated against her after she complained, and ultimately terminated her employment.