FIRE 126 - Fire Service and the Law

Course Description

  • Recommended Prep: FIRE 101 and FIRE 102
  • FIRE majors only

Fire service personnel legal rights and liability concerns are reviewed. Duties, responsibilities, and legal problems of the fire service in regard to working situations are studied from the judicial perspective.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of FIRE 126, the student will be able to:

  • Discuss the meaning and sources of law
  • Describe the types of law
  • Know the reasons for laws
  • Explain civil actions and law suits
  • Differentiate between civil and criminal action
  • Describe who may sue and be sued in civil actions
  • Discuss criminal actions
  • Define criminal law and crimes
  • Explain who is capable of, and liable for punishment in a crime
  • Define parties to and types of crimes
  • Explain the judicial system
  • Describe the Supreme Court of the State, Courts of Appeal, Trial, Circuit Courts of Appeal, Court, Criminal and civil procedures
  • Explain the organization of Fire Departments
  • Describe the benefits, powers, duties, liability, and liability insurance for volunteer fire departments
  • Explain the powers of the District Board
  • Explain the Fire Departments staffing considerations
  • Discuss the city liability for fire department action
  • Describe the historical background of municipal and Fire Department Liability
  • Explain the municipal liability today
  • Describe emergency vehicle operation and the law
  • Explain building destruction as fire spread prevention
  • Identify what to do if there is a riot involvement
  • Know the parties to firefighter safety
  • Explain the Local Government and Union responsibility for safety
  • Describe the equipment manufacturer's responsibility
  • Discuss the limitations on liability and the assumption of risk
  • Discuss fire prevention Bureaus
  • Describe the police powers and fire prevention regulation
  • Explain the owner/operator liability for negligence
  • Describe the municipal and inspector liability
  • Differentiate between pension and compensation
  • Discuss the pension systems
  • Describe the entitlement and determination of pension amount
  • Discuss compulsory retirement
  • Discuss salary and compensation
  • Explain the involvement of the Federal, State, and FLSA
  • Explain collective bargaining and workers compensation
  • Discuss termination of employment
  • Describe individual and entire Fire Department removal
  • Describe the right to resist dismissal by improper person
  • Discuss the duty owed by the public to fire department members
  • Describe a firefighter as a licensee, invitee, and in a class by himself
  • Explain the application of statutory safeguards and NFPA standards
  • Discuss the duty of public, city as property owner, and utility companies
  • Discuss the Firefighter liabilities
  • Describe the Public Officer "scope of authority" and liability
  • Explain civil rights violations, Haz Mat, riot suppression, and demolition work
  • Explain the legalities of striking and picketing
  • Discuss procedural pointers
  • Describe the surveys in the field, written notices, authority and how to make arrests, warnings, interrogation, and detention of witnesses
  • Explain trial preparation, court, witness stand demeanor and speaking