Curt Varone

Full list of Curt Varone results

• Fire service bullying: Are we only addressing half the problem?

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  We need to have systems in place that ensure fair and unbiased investigations are conducted into any allegation of hazing, harassment and bullying

• Anti-nepotism requirements in the fire service: Ignore at your peril

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  When poorly written or overly broad anti-nepotism requirements are applied to firefighters, difficult problems can arise

• Photos from the scene: Understanding fire/EMS department records retention

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  Firefighters and paramedics often take images on calls. How long should such images be retained, and why?

• Is firefighter competency a discipline issue?

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  Competency and discipline are distinct issues, but they often become intertwined for a number of reasons

• Clear policies can prevent fire departments from violating USERRA protections

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  The key to resolving a potential discrimination claim is a policy addressing lengthy absences irrespective of the reason for the absence

• Can a firefighter ask a bystander to stop filming an emergency scene?

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  When are you within your legal right to ask a citizen to stop filming and in what context?

• Should you conduct social media screenings when hiring firefighters?

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  Using social media to research potential firefighter candidates could cause problems for your department

• Disciplining 'similarly situated' members in the fire service

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  What if two firefighters — one an underperformer, one a star performer — commit the same infraction?

• Can you record conversations at the firehouse?

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  Assessing whether a fire department can legally write and enforce a “zero-tolerance” policy for audio recording conversations when state law allows “one-party recording

• Who owns the fire station Facebook page?

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  The more relevant questions relate to policies about who can create pages and post as representatives of the department

• Firefighter return-to-duty policies: Know the rules and have a policy

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  If a doctor clears a firefighter to return to duty, can the department reject their request to return to work?

• Bars in volunteer firehouses: Weighing the safety and liability issues

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  Providing alcohol in the firehouse can serve as a mechanism to encourage socialization, but this also creates liability issues

• Hazing in fire academies: Legal and practical considerations

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  Understanding the difference between hazing, bullying and training in the academy setting

• 4 situations in which probationary firefighters cannot be fired without cause

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  Curt Varone outlines conditions that prevent fire departments from firing at-will or probationary firefighters without cause