In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 20, 2026, Brad and Curt discuss a suit filed against a Florida fire department over the death of an applicant during a physical abilities test; an apparent oversight in New Jersey state wage and hour law that appears to require firefighters be paid overtime after 40 hours each week; a ruling by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the termination of a Chicago firefighter for racist and offensive Facebook posts; a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the mother of a fire victim alleging that the local fire department, multiple public officials, and private entities mishandled the investigation; a federal magistrate in Georgia recommending dismissal of a former Georgia fire chief’s discrimination suit; and the $1.2 million settlement of a longstanding suit between firefighters and the city of East Chicago.

Family Sues Fort Myers Over Firefighter Applicant’s Heat-Related Death During Physical Assessment

New Jersey Minimum Wage Law May Have Broader Implications for Fire Departments

Seventh Circuit Upholds Termination of Chicago Firefighter Over Racist Facebook Posts

Texas Mother Sues Volunteer Fire Department, Sheriff, Funeral Home and Others Over Death Investigation

Federal Magistrate Recommends Dismissal of Former Georgia Fire Chief’s Race Discrimination and Retaliation Suit

East Chicago Firefighters Settle First Amendment Retaliation Case for $1.2 Million