It may provide legal protection, but it is hardly a substitute for sound policies
How Does the Special Duty Rule Apply to Emergency Response?
read more
Author: Curt Varone
CURT VARONE has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer’s Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
Invasion of Privacy: Does the Public Have a Right to Film Patients at an Emergency Scene?
The answer involves a complicated intersection of First Amendment rights and a patient’s right to privacy
Fire Service Bullying: Are We Only Addressing Half the Problem?
Understanding personality disorders – in both bullies and victims – may be key to reducing toxic behavior
Anti-Nepotism Requirements in the Fire Service: Ignore at Your Peril
Such laws often have unanticipated consequences for firefighters, but that doesn’t mean we can just look the other way
Photos From the Scene: Understanding Fire Department Records Retention
A record retention policy is essential to addressing both evidentiary and public records concerns
Is Firefighter Competency a Discipline Issue?
Company officers must understand the distinction
Clear Policies Can Prevent
Fire Departments from Violating USERRA Protections
Members returning from active-duty military service must be treated like any employee returning from prolonged leave
The FLSA §207(k) Exemption and Part-Time Firefighters
Departments should specify in policy the work period for all firefighters, whether full-time or part-time
Fire Department Disciplinary Investigations: Formal or Informal?
Consistency, fairness and objectivity are critical
Can a Firefighter Ask a Bystander to Stop Filming an Emergency Scene?
It’s usually best to ignore those filming and stay focused on your job
Should You Conduct Social Media Screenings When Hiring Firefighters?
Social media contains a gold mine of information about candidates, but it is not without risk
Disciplining “Similarly Situated” Employees in the Fire Service
Fire departments must be prepared to prove that there is a reasonable basis for each penalty imposed