Search

The days of believing that NFPA standards, textbooks and articles in magazines have no effect on fire departments and fire chiefs are over. Take, for example, the 1999 townhouse fire [...]

The article discusses the case filed by six American firefighters including James Schnabel, Mike Carlson, and Jeff Campbell, against Hulapai Valley Fire District in Kingman, Arizona over claims that the fire district and its chief Wayne Eder, fired them in retaliation for exercising their First Amendment right to free speech and association. Noted is their affiliation to the United Professional Firefighters of Kingman and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 4191.

The article focuses on the court case Engineering & Manufacturing Services, LLC v. Ashton, et al., filed by Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) Battalion Chief Chester Ashton and CFD firefighters against the sheet metal manufacturing firm. Ashton alleged that they were denied access to the premises to conduct an annual interior inspection for any hazardous conditions. It mentions that the court stated claims against the three officers for not having proper administrative plan for inspections.

The article discusses the court case Westmoreland v. Sutherland which centered on whether or not the speech was false or misleading so as to not receive the protection provided by the First Amendment. The dispute arose when Ron Westmoreland, an employee at the Bay Village Fire Department in Ohio, spoke at a city council meeting. He claimed that Bay Village Mayor Deborah Sutherland and the city council's decision to cut drive team budgets has caused the drowning of two children in 2008.

The article discusses a lawsuit filed by the volunteer firefighter Matthew Preston against the Pleasant Hill, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department after the department put Preston on probation for failing to report the probationary status of his emergency medical technician certification. According to the article, the lawsuit was dismissed when the judges determined that, as a volunteer, Preston was not entitled to due process in his objections. The "International Fire Code" is mentioned.

The article discusses the Palm Beach County trial court case Randolph Starling v. Board of County Commissioners wherein Starling was given a disciplinary action. It says that Starling was the captain of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department when he began a relationship with his co-worker Caroline Smith even if he is married. The appellate court used the Pickerington balancing test and determine whether the affair of Starling with his subordinate had detrimental effect.

The article discusses the legality of a policy adopted by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in California prohibiting firefighters from displaying tattoos while they are on duty. Under the said policy, those with exposed tattoos on their arms are required to wear long-sleeve shirts. According to media reports, about 200 firefighters have been affected due to non-compliance. It relates a case where five police officers sued the City of Hartford challenging an order which requires them to cover their tattoos.

The article discusses the court case wherein fire chief Charles Foley was filed disciplinary charges due to his remarks on the death of two children at the fire in Randolph, Massachusetts. It mentions that during a press conference, he pointed out that the agency's inadequate staffing and funding deficits are the culprit of the incident and voiced his frustration with other firefighters to the Randolph selectmen. The hearing officer suspended him without suspension for 15 days.

The authors offer advice for U.S. fire fighters and the construction industry on reducing the fire risk of lightweight construction. Some of the steps they suggest in increasing the fire resistance of lightweight wood structural members are the use of durable metal connector plates and gypsum board. They also encourage fire fighters to participate in the creation of construction code to increase their protection from truss failure. They add that firefighters who were injured in truss failures can sue manufacturers for product liability.

The article highlights liability of fire chiefs to keep the fire fighters safe and adhere on firefighter's civil rights during the performance of duty in the U.S. The author focuses on the townhouse fire incident in 1999 that result two line-of-duty death and two other severe injuries of firefighters in the District of Columbia, which violates the civil rights of the firefighters. It mentions that during the incident fire fighters were dead and injured due to lack of supervision.

The article discusses the investigation of the case between Pat Land, a captain of the Odessa Fire Department who served as the incident commander on the investigation it conducted on rashes, nausea, vomiting and respiratory problems suffered by 100 elementary-school students within the Ector County Independent School District in Florida in 2004., and Dale Childers, an Odessa assistant fire chief, who instructed Land not to talk to the media on the results they obtained during the investigation.

The article discusses the case of Eddie Haynes versus City of Montgomery, Alabama. Accordingly, the case was filed by Haynes after he was not given a release order and fit for work certification after undergoing treatment for anxiety as well as considered him voluntarily resigned from his position. In addition, the author notes that the jury's decision sided with Haynes which rules that he met disability and qualification standards and awarded him $109,000 for back pay and emotional pain.

The article focuses on the lawsuit filed by Richland Fire Department sergeant Charles Eudy against fire chief Matthew Bailey in Mississippi. The U.S. District Court has considered the grievances filed by Eudy because it covers public concerns and questioned the operation of the department as a whole. The court also found out that the First Amendment rights of Eudy has been violated by Bailey.

The article discusses a court case involving former president and chief Michael McClearnon of the Beaver Dams Fire Department in New York. In a letter, McClearnon complained to the U.S. Fire Administration that the department had not received any federal money. Because of this, he was suspended for misconduct and recommended for expulsion. In a court decision, it is asserted that the purpose of his letter was not to expose corruption, but to express public concern.

Assesses whether the traditional use of the mutual-aid chief officer is the best practice in the United States. Provisions of National Fire Protection Association regarding volunteer fire service; Advice for fire departments considering using their mutual-aid chiefs for additional assistance; Short- and long-term benefits of using mutual-aid counterparts.

Highlights various legal actions based on the lack of working smoke detectors in the U.S. Contention in the Acevedo versus Audoborn Management Inc. case; Decision of the appellate court on the case Wilkerson versus Alexander; Citations of the elements needed to succeed at trial on such cases.

The article reports that the Western Reserve Joint Fire District serves Poland Township and Village, suburban and agricultural communities located in south-eastern Mahoning County, in the northern end of the Appalachia corridor in eastern Ohio, in the heart of the rust belt. Poland was established as a small village in 1796. The District contains many historic houses that have been renovated numerous times over the years, creating a significant fire suppression challenge. The county lost many of its steel company employers in the 1970s. High crime and unemployment in urban areas have resulted in accelerated urban flight.

Focuses on behaviors and actions of fire fighters operating on the fireground that will likely increase the risk of injury or death. Disregard for the automobile seat belt; Neglect of an initial size-up of the type of occupancy involved and its type of construction; Operations beyond the reach of the supervising officer without a portable radio; Failure to follow a guide or reference point.

The article discusses the U.S. Court of Appeals court case Willis v. Charter Township of Emmet which deals with the violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. It says that the parents of Christopher Willis, who died in a car accident, have sued firefighters Logan Bishop and Scott Counts for failing to provide their son with medical care and spreading false information about Willis' death. It adds that the court suggested Bishop and Counts liable for not rescuing the victim.

The article presents information on the promotional methods using which a firefighter can be promoted to the rank of company officer. First, the department must decide the minimum qualifications an officer should have. Departments should also define the minimum training or educational requirements the officer candidate should possess. Once the minimum qualifications are established, this information should be issued to the troops. These standards can also become part of the department's standard operating procedures or rules and regulations. There must be a clear understanding for eligibility criteria for promotion.

Discusses how mold spores can damage homes in the United States. Temperature range wherein mold spores can grow; Mycotoxins or toxic molds produced by certain molds; Effect of toxic molds on wood, paneling, carpet and furniture; Health effects of toxic molds; Need for fire departments to be aware of the implications of using water in homes where fire damage is not significant.

The article offers information on the sexual harassment complaints that were registered with the Maine Human Rights Commission in the U.S. It offers information on Daniel Brock who was appointed as the fire chief of Maine in 2009. It mentions that the property interest related to public employment can be formed by a statue or ordinance.

The article offers steps to be followed by fire departments to reduce the risk of negative publicity and potential liability associated with hiring an employee with a negative history. It recommends that employers must require prospective employees to fill out a thorough, written application and submit authorization forms to obtain credit information. It also suggests that fire officers should review the application with the candidate in person.

This article discusses safety initiatives that were discussed at a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) presentation. The author remains critical of the leaders in local government and those in fire departments who have refused to implement and enforce life-saving safety measures until the costs have become too difficult to ignore.