The former city manager wanted to fire Charlotte Fire Department Chief Jon Hannan last year, but the City Council blocked the move, according to a deposition from this week’s whistleblower trial that ended with a $1.5 million verdict against the city. Ron Carlee wanted to fire Hannan because of the chief’s “lying” to him over leaking part of a personnel file to retaliate against a firefighter union leader, according to his deposition.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Charlotte Observer

A volunteer fireman is facing driving under the influence charges in connection with an incident that ended with a damaged fire truck, a crash into a telephone pole and a small geyser of water from a fire hydrant. At 11:51 a.m. Saturday, Sharon police officers M. Paul Lehman and Adam Zazado were dispatched to South Dock and Budd streets in response to a call regarding a disabled West Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department fire truck.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Sharon Herald

Competitive tension between volunteer and career firefighters, which boiled over at the scene of a fire and landed inside a Prince George’s County courtroom, has been resolved. Two Maryland firefighters charged with attacking two colleagues at a house fire in 2015 have been acquitted by a jury of all charges.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTOP-AM 1500 Washington

Five weeks after Ohio made it easier for Ohio firefighters diagnosed with cancer to qualify for workers’ compensation and pension benefits, House Republicans are proposing more restrictions. Firefighters, trial attorneys and Democrats oppose the amendment added this week to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation budget bill.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Columbus Dispatch

Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks says he was “blindsided” when he was placed on paid, indeterminate, nondisciplinary leave by the city of Utica Friday morning. Brooks, who has been chief for 13 out of the 41 years he has been with the Utica Fire Department, said he was told of the decision during a meeting with Mayor Robert Palmeri and two city legal representatives.
- PUB DATE: 5/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Utica Observer-Dispatch