A total of 174 current and former firefighters are suing the city in federal court for lost wages due to alleged overtime miscalculations that union President James Kottage said he believes will “add up to seven figures.” The firefighters in the suit allege that the Fire Department failed to accurately calculate their regular rates for overtime compensation, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: new haven register

Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Brian Fennessy was selected to become the fire department’s 17th chief, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Thursday morning. Fennessy, 56, who has 38 years of firefighting experience, is to take over for Chief Javier Mainar, who is set to retire in November. During a news conference at Montgomery Field, Faulconer said Fennessy has “unmatched experience and operational knowledge,” two skills that will be especially important as the possibility of a strong El Niño looms amid a year-round regional fire season.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: san diego union-tribune

The U.S. Forest Service spent a record $243 million last week battling forest fires around the country, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. The agency has spent all the money Congress provided for fighting wildfires in the 12-month budget period, forcing it to borrow money from forest restoration work designed to reduce the risk of fires.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the new york times

The U.S. Forest Service spent a record $243 million last week battling forest fires around the country, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday. The agency has spent all the money Congress provided for fighting wildfires in the 12-month budget period, forcing it to borrow money from forest restoration work designed to reduce the risk of fires.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the new york times

Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Brian Fennessy was selected to become the fire department’s 17th chief, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Thursday morning. Fennessy, 56, who has 38 years of firefighting experience, is to take over for Chief Javier Mainar, who is set to retire in November. During a news conference at Montgomery Field, Faulconer said Fennessy has “unmatched experience and operational knowledge,” two skills that will be especially important as the possibility of a strong El Niño looms amid a year-round regional fire season.
- PUB DATE: 9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: san diego union-tribune