Legal Issues
At least 94 people died after they were given sedatives and restrained by police from 2012 through 2021, according to the Associated Press
An AP investigation shows how a strategy intended to reduce violence and save lives has resulted in avoidable deaths
Three people were killed when a Kansas City fire engine struck a vehicle and crashed into a building
The Conception’s captain, Jerry Boylan, faces one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer
Columbia River Fire & Rescue’s insurer will no longer take new claims due to whistleblower, wrongful termination and hostile workplace lawsuits
Denver police required Google to provide the IP addresses of anyone who had searched for the address of the home that was set on fire, killing five immigrants
Bennet Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Tim Norris faced allegations of “leadership issues,” inappropriate behavior, and “unwillingness to change” in a six-page letter from members
First Deputy Commissioner Mary Sheridan had allegedly accused a fire department official of having an alleged sexual relationship with another employee
Anchorage will allow most employees to use marijuana off the clock, but not work for the city within eight hours of using marijuana
Staffing
Earlier arbitration ruled that Montville could not staff its firehouse with just one firefighter
The Anchorage Assembly will vote on a proposal that would revoke automatic firing when an employee tests positive for drugs, instead requiring the employee to go through a “progressive disciplinary process”
A review of state-mandated sexual harassment prevention training found the chief of the Niagara Fire Department cancelled the training
Lawsuit
Captain Arnoldo Sandoval filed a lawsuit over the 2021 firehouse shooting when Firefighter Jonathan Tatone killed Fire Engineer Tory Carlon and wounded Sandoval
Leadership
The department asked citizens for their thoughts, in a survey, on tattoos as they consider changing the current policy
Spring Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Jared Lloyd died in the blaze caused by the use of a blowtorch during a religious holiday
Amber Ellison’s lawsuit claims that William Jucks made inappropriate comments and repeated sexual advances both during and after work hours
Twelve brass plates bearing the names of fallen firefighters were chiseled out and stolen from the memorial, department officials say
The state’s labor department issued a notice after a department was fined and fire chief suspended for a junior firefighter being burned in training
Citing pending litigation, officials have refused to release response information on the wildfire that killed 115 people
10 steps to reduce the risk of financial misconduct, promoting a transparent and accountable organization
Court rules that under state law, the city of Wickliffe should have held a competitive exam to fill the position
Lawsuit
Columbia River Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Joel Medina’s lawsuit claims retaliation after reporting misconduct by public employees, officials
Prosecutors say Khalid Sheikh Mohammed may not face the death penalty
A severance agreement bars Portland Division Chief Tim Matthews from filing a lawsuit he had considered earlier
Lawsuit
Mobile Firefighter Kay’Ana Adams accuses the city of creating a hostile work environment within the department
Lawsuit
The investigative report finds Topsfield EMTs “grossly failed to take care of this patient appropriately”
Termination of Columbia River Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Joel Medina follows two earlier no-confidence votes from the union
Should past troubles disqualify fire service leaders from holding the top spot, and are some troubles too serious to uphold the public’s trust?
Misconduct
Public documents from the investigation of Ottumwa firefighters and a captain show policy violations, leadership failures
Harassment
Assistant Chief Michael Massucci allegedly harassed and intimidated Lieutenant Timothy Walton for several years
While there are legal issues at play, you really can’t be a fair-weather firefighter
The bill presumes disabling or fatal infectious diseases were suffered in the line of duty as a result of injury due to uncapped needles
Staffing
An arbitration panel ruled that Montville must staff at least two of its four fire departments with two paid firefighters, and that no firefighter can work alone during a 24-hour shift
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