Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services

Written by a lawyer who is also an experienced firefighter, this book examines the most challenging legal issues confronting firefighters and emergency service personnel today. Readers will explore such major legal concerns as fire service liability issues, the jurisdiction of OSHA over fire departments, the applicability of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, search and seizure, employment discrimination, residency requirements, sexual harassment, and more. Many of the most significant fires of the past century are also discussed, along with the cases and legal battles that ensued, so readers can make important connections between past events and the legal concepts facing emergency responders today.

J. Curtis Varone has been in the fire service for more than 33 years, with experience as a volunteer, paid on-call, and career firefighter. He also has twenty years experience as a practicing attorney representing firefighters and fire departments. Curt is currently a Deputy Assistant Chief and shift commander with the Providence Fire Department in Providence, Rhode Island. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member of the National Fire Academy, Executive Fire Officer Program and of Providence College's Fire Science program.