The frequency of lawsuits in the private and public sectors is proliferating, and the fire service is not immune. The protections afforded by Sovereign Immunity have eroded, and fire departments are rightfully being held to quality standards. They face an increasing number of responsibilities that expose them to litigation. Given his legal background and ongoing active role in the fire service, the author is in a unique position to provide expertise on how to avoid legal problems by learning from the experiences of others. The second edition of Fire Service Law continues to provide much-needed coverage of the key areas in which a firefighter or fire department is likely to encounter litigation. The fundamental legal principles presented will serve as an excellent foundation for proper decision making and protocol in a fire service organization. The real-life case studies and relevant examples taken from today’s headlines are valuable tools in the study of fire and EMS law. End-of-chapter review questions correspond to the case studies, and Expand Your Learning exercises are included for student and group assignments. Readers of this authoritative guide can stay abreast of the latest court decisions affecting fire department operations by accessing the author’s Fire, EMS, & Safety Law Newsletter website.

The third edition of Legal Considerations for Fire & Emergency Services is a reader-friendly guide to the challenging legal issues that firefighters and emergency service personnel encounter. Written by J. Curtis Varone, a practicing attorney as well as an experienced firefighter, this book explores such key topics as fire department liability, search and seizure, sovereign immunity, overtime laws, collective bargaining, OSHA compliance, workers’ compensation, physical abilities testing, medical examinations, drug testing, discrimination, and sexual harassment. It is a perfect textbook for any course on fire service law as well as an indispensable desk reference for day-to-day fire department administration. Features of the new 3rd Edition: • Updated cases on several topics including residency requirements, employment discrimination, and more • Expanded treatment of hot topics such as digital imagery, social media, and electronic surveillance • Meets the latest requirements for FESHE’s Legal Aspects of the Fire Service curriculum • Many new photos and graphics to help connect cases to day-to-day issues in the fire service • Coverage of recent changes to search and seizure law, use of digital photos and social media by emergency personnel, and fire department liability

"This book targets the legal issues confronting the state's firefighters, ranging from civil liability conflicts to the general statutes that provide punishments for various types of unlawful burning. Fire department activities that are discussed include investigations, inspections, apparatus operation, mutual aid, nonprofit corporate activities, finance and district organization, employment law, benefits, and hazardous materials operations. This book is designed to be used both as a textbook for students and as a quick reference guide for anyone interested in North Carolina fire protection law"--

In clear, straightforward language, Fire Law gives readers invaluable legal information and insight into the laws governing fire services, liability for firefighters and fire departments, as well as potential legal problems arising from alleged hiring discrimination and wrongful discharge.

Fire Service Ethics is the first textbook specifically developed to help fire service personnel deal with ethical dilemmas. Firefighters and fire service leaders will find benefit from this important tool to aid them in dealing with complex issues. No other profession places such discretionary burden on its practitioners as the fire service. The military, law enforcement, the medical profession, and legal profession all provide a robust set of ethical policies and guidelines to their members. Fire Service Ethics provides the foundation for creating ethical boundaries.Fire Service Ethics meets and exceeds the course outcomes and course objectives for the National Fire Academy FESHE Model Curriculum Bachelor’s (Non-Core) course called Fire Service Ethics (C0303). It is also well suited for fire officer and administration development programs. Section 1 of the book is entitled Foundations. Its four chapters are intended to provide the reader with the basic understanding of ethics necessary to master the material in the succeeding three sections. Chapter 1 is recommended for all readers, as it addresses the important questions of ethical relevance to the fire service. Chapters 2, 3 & 4 are grounded in academic approaches to ethics and are specifically intended to be used in college courses. The material within the sections encourages critical analysis of ethical systems, and understanding of the basics of human behavior.Section 2 of the book is entitled Ethics on The Line. Its chapters address issues directly related to rank-and-file firefighters, and company officers. The section also deals with diversity; first as an abstract concept, and then as it applies specifically to the fire service. Section 2 is intended to serve dual purposes. First, it is designed to be included in an academic curriculum aimed at future firefighters. Secondly, Section 2 - combined with Section 4 - encompasses the majority of material appropriate for inclusion in fire service training programs.Section 3 of the text is dedicated to Administrative Ethics. The chapters within the section explore ethics issues faced by fire chiefs and senior administrative personnel. Included within the section are chapters on the building and maintenance of an ethical work culture, the ethical responsibilities associated with administration, and finally, ethics laws. Section 3 - combined with Sections 1 and 4 - is especially appropriate for officer development programs and collegiate programs in fire administration.Section 4 of the book is entitled Applied Ethics. The three chapters within the section deal with the application of ethics on the personal and department level. Included within the section are chapters on ethical decision-making, mechanisms by which unethical behavior is engaged, and a review of current ethical issues affecting local fire departments. Section 4 is universal in its application and should be used in all collegiate programs, as well as in firefighter and fire

This book describes municipal and county fire protection, rural fire districts, volunteer fire departments and more. Sample forms are included.

This book is an excellent addition to every fire officer's bookshelf."--Jacket.