Fire Law Roundup for October 5, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for October 5, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a suit against a Detroit Fire Department captain in a wrongful conviction case brought by a man who spent more than a decade in prison for murder and arson, who was later clea…
Detroit Fire Investigator Remains in Malicious Prosecution Suit Over Fatal Fire
A federal judge has dismissed the City of Detroit and Wayne County from a wrongful prosecution suit brought by a man who spent more than a decade in prison for murder and arson, but allowed the case to proceed against the Detroit fire and police investigators …
Former Philly Fire Payroll Supervisor Charged Criminally in Overtime Fraud Case
A former Philadelphia Fire Department payroll supervisor has been criminally charged in connection with an alleged overtime fraud scheme that is already at the center of a federal lawsuit brought by a former First Deputy Fire Commissioner.
Woman’s Efforts to Criticize Former Paramedic Lead to Eight-Year Federal Court Battle
A federal court in Texas has entered judgment in favor of the City of Yoakum in a First Amendment lawsuit brought by a woman whose dispute with a fire department paramedic began during an emergency childbirth call in 2017 and continued for more than eight year…
Federal Court Dismisses FDNY Firefighter’s Retaliation Suit
A federal court has dismissed the retaliation suit brought by an FDNY firefighter who claimed he was improperly detailed out of Rescue 1 after filing an EEO complaint. FF Daniel Hyland filed suit against the City of New York, FDNY, former Fire Commissioner Dan…
Prison Fire Department Helps Defeat Deliberate Indifference Claim
A federal court in Indiana has granted summary judgment to prison officials accused of being deliberately indifferent to the risk of fire at the Indiana State Prison, relying in significant part on the prison’s operation of a trained and equipped inmate fire d…
Fire Law Roundup for September 28, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 28, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a suit brought by a South Carolina firefighter alleging race discrimination and retaliation; a First Amendment suit brought by a Jacksonville firefighter who is also a local elec…
South Carolina Firefighter Claims Retaliation After He Reported Noose in Firehouse
A South Carolina firefighter has filed suit against the St. John’s Fire District and its Fire Chief, alleging race discrimination and retaliation arising out of the discovery of a noose tied around the neck of a dark-skinned CPR training mannequin in his fire …
Jacksonville Firefighter Files First Amendment Suit Over Discipline for Off-Duty Facebook Video
A Jacksonville firefighter who also serves as an elected member of the Clay County School Board has filed suit against the City of Jacksonville, claiming he was disciplined in violation of the First Amendment for comments he made while off duty on his personal…
Virgin Islands Firefighter Appeals Dismissal of Discrimination and Retaliation Suit
A veteran Virgin Islands firefighter has appealed a federal court ruling granting summary judgment to the Government of the Virgin Islands on his disability discrimination, sexual harassment, disparate treatment, and retaliation claims.
Nebraska Firefighter Applicant Rejected Over Homeschool Diploma
A Nebraska volunteer firefighter who was rejected for a career position because he was homeschooled, has lost his challenge before the Fremont Civil Service Commission. Andrew Coates, a volunteer firefighter with the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department, applied for a…
Florida Firefighters File FLSA Suit Over Failure to Include Incentive Pay in OT and Retaliation
Fourteen current and former firefighters with the Pace Fire Rescue District in Florida have filed suit alleging the district violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to include certification and educational incentive pay when calculating their overtime…
Fire Law Roundup for September 21, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 21, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a jury verdict holding the City of Richmond, Indiana 40% liable for the harm to neighbors from a 2023 plastics warehouse fire that forced the evacuation of roughly 2,000 resident…
Federal Jury Finds Indiana City 40% Liable for Massive Plastics Warehouse Fire
A federal jury has found the City of Richmond, Indiana, along with a recycling company and its owner, liable for damages stemming from a massive 2023 plastics warehouse fire that forced the evacuation of roughly 2,000 residents.
Arbitrator Orders Reinstatement of TF Green Fire Lieutenant Fired Over Recruitment and Overtime Allegations
An arbitrator has ordered the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to reinstate a fire lieutenant who was terminated in 2024 amid allegations that he discouraged prospective firefighters from accepting jobs at T.F. Green International Airport in order to generate …
First Circuit Clarifies Supervisor Liability in Springfield Firefighter Discrimination Case
The First Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a jury verdict in favor of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, in a race and religious discrimination suit brought by two Springfield firefighters.
Oklahoma VFD Sues County and Town Over Seizure of Fire Station and Apparatus
A dispute over control of a volunteer fire department in southeastern Oklahoma has erupted into a federal lawsuit accusing county and municipal officials of effectively taking over a privately owned fire station, fire apparatus, and other department assets.
Fire Departments Allege Racketeering in PFAS Turnout Gear Lawsuit
A group of 28 municipalities, fire districts and volunteer fire departments have filed suit against 3M, DuPont-related companies, turnout gear manufacturers, and textile and component manufacturers, accusing them of concealing the presence and dangers of PFAS …
Fire Law Roundup for September 14, 2026
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 14, 2026, Curt and Chip Comstock discuss a decision dismissing a discrimination suit against FDNY over EMS promotions; a suit filed against FDNY by an EMS captain over compensation for accrued leave upon retire…
FDNY Prevails in EMS Promotion Discrimination Suit
A federal judge has granted summary judgment to the City of New York in a long-running discrimination suit brought by two FDNY EMS officers and their union challenging the promotional process for EMS officers. The suit was originally filed in 2018 by AFSME Loc…