A federal judge on Friday had questions about why Mayor Kasim Reed dismissed Atlanta’s fire chief in 2015, asking attorneys representing the city if the decision was based primarily on the contents of the chief’s controversial book or his insubordination. Fire chief Kelvin Cochran was terminated after he wrote and distributed a book that some considered anti-gay.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An Orange County sheriff’s helicopter practicing firefighting techniques in Huntington Beach last month inadvertently dumped water on a woman standing outside a plumbing business, generating questions about whether the department is as yet skilled enough to fight fires. The errant dumping occurred Oct.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Orange County Register

A Northern Arizona University professor was arrested Oct. 30 and indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on five counts of felony stalking – one involving a student -- and three counts of giving false information to law enforcement. Melissa Ann Santana, 36, who worked as an associate professor of interior design, is accused of habitually stalking and harassing two firefighters from the U.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Arizona Daily Sun

The file cabinets in Joe Bob Betzel's barn tell a story. It’s the two-decade story of a legal battle contending the City of Dallas underpaid its cops and firefighters. “It’s been over 25 years for me, so that’s like a career,” said Betzel, the retired Dallas firefighter who led the fight. On Tuesday, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved a nearly $62 million settlement.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFAA-TV ABC 8 Dallas - Fort Worth

A billboard complaining about overtime Gwinnett County firefighters are required to work is turning some heads in Lawrenceville. Former firefighter Michael Flanagan signed the contract for the billboard at Hwy. 316 and Ga. 20, but says there are actually 40 people behind it. The rotating sign asks the county to stop mandatory overtime for firefighters complaining $15 million has been spent over three years.
- PUB DATE: 11/20/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSB Radio