Politics & Law Magazine Articles

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  • Fire Law: Pregnancy Discrimination In the Fire Service
    Fire Law: Pregnancy Discrimination In the Fire Service

    I t was a discussion that took place many years ago, in a fire station, over dinner. “Hey, Chief, my wife is pregnant. Can I go on light duty?” the firefighter asked me in a baiting sort of way, with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice...

    Article • October 1st, 2012

  • On the Road Again for the 2013 FIRE Act Roadtrip
    On the Road Again for the 2013 FIRE Act Roadtrip

    Let me start by saying that my son-in-law made it to a Bob Dylan concert back in September.  We discussed the man's music and the lyrics of a number of his songs.  I spoke of one of my favorite lines from his work which tells us that, "… the times...

    Article • September 15th, 2012

  • Civil Rights Claim Denied

    A federal appeals court has rejected a claim made by the survivors of a Baltimore City, MD, firefighter killed in a training exercise that her civil rights were violated. However, the decision says more about civil rights law than it does about...

    Article • September 1st, 2012

  • Taking the Pulse Of Local & State Politics
    Taking the Pulse Of Local & State Politics

    It’s easy to assume that what happens with the fire service and government where we live is what’s happening everywhere. That may not be true. I just spent a month reviewing articles in newspapers and magazines and on websites about issues...

    Article • September 1st, 2012

  • How Community Involvement Pays Off
    How Community Involvement Pays Off

    One tradition of the fire service is the decentralized placement of resources and services in local neighborhoods. Many believe fire stations represent the most visible example of government’s investment in the overall safety and well being of the...

    Article • August 1st, 2012

  • The Budget Debates Continue
    The Budget Debates Continue

    Even as many local and state budgets have begun to stabilize, fire departments continue to find themselves in the middle of discussions by elected officials and other policy-makers relating to future funding – and they always will. Since 2008 (and...

    Article • July 1st, 2012

  • The Public Sector Versus the Private Sector: The New Civil War

    More than 150 years ago our nation was ravaged by the battle between the North and the South. Ceremonies commemorating the American Civil War are being planned in many parts of our nation. This is good and proper. We need to look back, pause, and...

    Article • June 27th, 2012

  • Beer Bust in a Firehouse: What is a "Reasonable Suspicion"?

    Last September, Washington, DC, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief Kenneth Ellerbe walked into a city firehouse and found several cans of beer in the refrigerator. He immediately placed all units in the station (engine, truck and ambulance) out...

    Article • June 1st, 2012

  •
    "Legacy of Leadership" In Challenging Times

    It was April 25-26, 2012, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. Front and center was the 24th annual Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) seminars and dinner. Nearly 2,000 representatives of the fire and emergency services were in...

    Article • June 1st, 2012

  • Optimism: The Cure for What Ails Us

    Is there anything you and I can do about the morass in Washington? Sorry Charlie, you and I are just a couple of powerless tuna swimming through the sea of confusion. We need to focus our effort on the things we can control.

    Article • May 23rd, 2012

  • A Debt We Can Never Truly Repay
    A Debt We Can Never Truly Repay

    American Jobs Act Sets Aside $1 Billion for Firefighter Jobs

    Article • November 1st, 2011

  • Theft in the Volunteer Fire Service

     

    Article • October 4th, 2011

  • Disasters and Dumb-Asses: A Bad Combination

    Having lived through the worst hurricane to hit my state in more than a century, I feel qualified to make a few statements on things which are happening in the world around you and me. Let me start by stating that as bad as things were in Howell...

    Article • September 7th, 2011

  • My 2011 Class Trip to Washington

    Let me share with you a number of my observations on how things went in Washington, D.C. Yes my friends, it is that time of the year. Spring is in the air and the flowers are in bloom in many parts of the nation. Once again, the fire service faithfuls...

    Article • April 15th, 2011

  • Bipartisan Support for Fire Service Issues

      During each session of Congress, there are several pieces of legislation that stand to impact the fire service in positive or negative ways. The 112th Congress is no exception. Rather than go into detail concerning the current items on the...

    Article • March 30th, 2011

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