In what labor union lawyers said was an unprecedented move, the Central Fire board Thursday voted to cut firefighters’ base pay 7 percent starting in July and require firefighters to pay back 7 percent of their base salary for the past 12 months. The decision came with a caveat: If Central Fire and its labor union negotiate a new contract by mid-July, there will be no pay cut or retroactive pay cut.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: santa cruz sentinel

An American flag on the back of a fire truck and decals on the truck windows is leading to a new dispute at the Central Coventry Fire District. The firefighters union said they're being asked to take them off. "The members are very upset," Firefighters Union President David Gorman told NBC 10 News. "I have a couple members, armed service retired, retired from the guard.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WJAR-TV NBC 10 Providence

A former fire investigator who worked for the Fairfax County Fire Department for 20 years has filed a lawsuit against 17 of her ex-colleagues, accusing them of bullying, sexual harassment and conspiring to get her to quit. Patricia Tomasello said the harassment and discrimination started when she joined the department in 1996.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: nbc washington

VIDEO - An American flag is flying once again in the yard of a 91-year-old World War II veteran in Nashua. Richard Chasse's flag and flag pole were stolen weeks ago, but members of the Nashua Fire Department thought he should have a new one, especially with Memorial Day coming. The World War II veteran said his flag and flag pole were stolen about six weeks ago.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WMUR-TV ABC 9 Manchester

Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill expanding the definition of a hate crime in order to increase protections for first responders. Louisiana is the first state with so-called "Blue Lives Matter" legislation on the books. "Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do and the risks they take to ensure our safety," said Gov.
- PUB DATE: 5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WVUE-TV Fox 8