On-Demand Webinar

Free Speech?

Understanding How and When Departments Can Limit What Firefighters Say

On-Demand Webinar Recorded October 25, 2016

Presented by
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder and Chief Curt Varone

When is a firefighter free to speak his/her mind? When is a department free to discipline a firefighter for certain kinds of speech? Although this issue crops up most often as a result of social media postings, it goes far beyond that as well. Using real-world examples, we shed some light on this divisive issue and provide some practical tips for all ranks, from firefighters to chiefs.

You’ll Learn:

  • When the First Amendment protects speech—and when it doesn’t
  • Why it’s difficult to predict how specific free speech cases will turn out
  • The three main areas of speech that get firefighters and departments into trouble
  • Four common mistakes that departments make with regard to member speech and expression

Register now