Legal Issues
Fairfield Battalion Chief Jessica Fleshman, a 20-year veteran and former Marine, alleged she faced harassment and retaliation after her promotion, claims the city denied but agreed to settle
The department’s former head of HR, says she was fired after pressing leaders to address pervasive misconduct, from on-duty drinking and unsafe behavior to mishandled sexual-harassment cases
A district judge dismissed charges against two Montgomery County firefighters, finding insufficient evidence the soaked Montgomery Blair High School field was damaged
Fire chiefs must embrace policy advocacy to influence decisions that shape public safety and department operations
North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt was caught on video shouting profanities at a 10-year-old girl during an emergency call
Three residents of Gabriel House are suing the facility’s owner and a fire inspection company, claiming unsafe conditions, poor enforcement of smoking policies, and failed fire systems
Assemblyman Phil Ramos accuses East Brentwood Fire Chief Bryant Figueroa of storming into his office following tensions over ICE’s use of a firehouse parking lot
Laramie County Fire District 1 Chief Darrick Mittlestadt and his wife face up to 25 years in prison after being accused of isolating and starving their 13-year-old adopted son
The county blocked delivery of key rescue equipment to Spokane after accusing the city of ending emergency preparedness agreements
Roger Bentley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and other charges after prosecutors said he ignored signs of a gas leak before the 2024 blast that killed Sterling Firefighter Trevor Brown
Community trust can erode quickly when firefighters are mistaken for enforcers
Duane Williams, exonerated in 2024 after serving 11 years for a deadly fire he didn’t commit, has filed a $100M federal lawsuit against Detroit police, fire officials and the city
EMT Frederick Whiteside died in the line of duty in 2023 but has been excluded from the memorial weekend service for the last two years
The fire police officer was charged after allegedly following a woman, activating emergency lights and confronting her with a radio during a traffic dispute
The lawsuit claims the elimination of BRIC grants will leave communities vulnerable to natural disasters and reduce federal support for disaster prevention
Authorities say Denton’s former fire chief submitted fraudulent documentation from 2021 to 2025 in an alleged effort to boost the fire department’s insurance rating
The Tarrant City Council voted to remove Chief Jason Rickels after multiple firefighters described a toxic work environment under his leadership
Assemblyman Phil Ramos loses “honorary chief” status after speaking out against ICE’s use of a Brentwood firehouse lot, as fire officials deny involvement
A jury found former Albuquerque fireifghters Aden Heyman and Anthony Martin not guilty on all counts after just two hours of deliberation
A former Contra Costa deputy convicted in a 2018 on-duty fatal shooting, may have his record cleared after serving time as part of the San Quentin Fire Department
The IAFF says President Freddy Escobar failed to properly document over $212,000 in expenses, reaffirming audit findings despite new receipts
A former Waterbury firefighter contesting his firing for medical marijuana use could be held in contempt after allegedly violating court orders, including sending a defiant email to the mayor
The Aurora firefighters used a spotlight on a marked patrol car and forced the officer to swerve, leading to disciplinary action and transfers
Former Flint Fire Chief Raymond Barton claims he was fired for refusing to alter findings after a house fire where firefighters allegedly failed to search a room where two children later died
The Ohio Supreme Court will decide whether the original murder charge should stand in the 2022 death of a Cleveland firefighter
A Tarrant County jury awarded $31.175 million to the widow of Arlington Firefighter Elijah Snow, finding a Cancun resort negligent in his death
Wash. firefighters face discipline over Pride parade participation, flag display and viral cat cameo
Spokane firefighters are under review after allowing a cat and its owner inside a fire truck and displaying a Pride flag, sparking debate over policy, inclusion and political expression
Lawyers for the city of Columbia said the Irmo Fire District “acted with malice in reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the statements”
The Stratford firefighters’ union says members were unjustly fired while recovering from injuries, while town officials cite a lack of return-to-work timelines
A Norfolk grievance panel upheld the firing of a firefighter over medical marijuana use, despite state law now protecting such use
A Phoenix family filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging firefighters declined to transport a 2-year-old to the hospital after a seizure
A USFS prescribed burn lit by forest officials in April spread onto private property, burning 16 pine trees, scorching others and damaging fencing
An “attaboy” photo of a burned home spotlights a lesson in fireground humility
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