Fire Law Update – Too Many Stories Too Little Time

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Posted by: cvarone 57 mins ago 0 Comments

Its been a busy week in the fire law news. Let’s take a look at a few headlines.

In North Carolina, the Providence Volunteer Fire Department has filed suit against the Town of Weddington claiming breach of contract after the town council voted to change service providers.More on that story.

In FDNY, two lieutenants have been reassigned from the training academy as an investigation into the leaking of personnel information continues. Lts. Michael Cacciola and Peter Critsimilios, who were involved with the department’s strength and agility testing on Randall’s Island, were reassigned earlier this week to a ceremonial unit responsible for funerals and other official. The move has triggered allegations of a witch hunt. More on the story.

And lastly, in New York, a fire chief has been issued a 30-day suspension for allowing a terminally ill member of his department to drive a fire truck in a parade. Fire Chief James Martin of the South Farmingdale Fire Department in Nassau County was suspended by Fire Commissioner Tom Mastakouris. Dave Statter has more on this story.

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Curt Varone has over 41 years of fire service experience and 29 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) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.