firefighter

Deputy fire chief pursues race-discrimination suit against city

When Dennis Jenkerson was named chief of the St. Louis Fire Department, he held a lower rank than the deputy fire chief who was passed over for the job. Deputy chief Charles Coyle’s race-discrimination lawsuit against the city of St. Louis is taking place this week in St. Louis Circuit Court.

$27M verdict upheld in Survivair case

Use of Fireman's Rule rejected

The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District has upheld a $27 million verdict against a company for allegedly manufacturing faulty breathing equipment that led to a firefighter's death. This family portrait from before the fatal accident in 2002 features St. Louis City firefighter Derek Martin, his wife Angela and his children Jordan, Denzel and Kayla.

Appeals court upholds $27M verdict over faulty air masks

An appeals court has upheld a $27 million verdict against a company that allegedly manufactured faulty breathing equipment that led to a firefighter’s death. The jury verdict reached in 2007 was reported to be the largest for that year by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. The case was tried in St. Louis Circuit Court. The family of […]

Fire chief’s demotion upheld

A St. Louis Circuit judge has upheld the city's decision to demote an ex-fire chief. The St. Louis City Civil Service Commission first upheld Sherman George's demotion last August and George (pictured) appealed the commission's decision to the circuit court. Judge Robert Dierker affirmed the commission's decision on Friday and had asked the commission to supplement its findings of fact and c[...]

Judge upholds ex-fire chief’s demotion

A St. Louis Circuit Judge has upheld the city’s decision to demote an ex-fire chief. The St. Louis City Civil Service Commission first had upheld Sherman George’s demotion last August and George appealed the commission’s decision to the circuit court. Judge Robert Dierker affirmed the commission’s decision on Friday and asked the commission to supplement […]

Injured firefighter files suit over faulty safety equipment

A firefighter has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a rescue saving device, after it malfunctioned and she was trapped in a burning building. The lawsuit filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court on Monday by Cynthia Schuenke alleges that Grace Industries’ “T-Pass HP II” PASS alarm failed to emit a warning sound when […]

‘At end of their rope,’ fire officials ask for tax hike

The Central County Fire and Rescue Fire Protection District is seeking a 54 percent hike in its operating tax rate, but to fire officials and community advocates, it’s worth every penny. The annual increase for the owner of a median-priced home ($189,000) would be about $90, an increase from $165 to $255. “It is tough […]

City settles reverse discrimination suit

The city of St. Louis agreed to settle a reverse discrimination lawsuit filed more than seven years ago by two white men who had applied to be firefighters. Eric Deeken was awarded $25,000, and Michael Martinez got $15,000, according to Nancy R. Kistler, a deputy city counselor. The settlements are only a fraction of a […]