Author Archives: Bill Maccarone

Firefighter Shift Transfers and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I am a full-time firefighter in a midsize city. We work a 24/48 schedule with a 56-hour average workweek. We utilize a 14-day work period. Currently, I am assigned to B platoon. I am being transferred to C platoon, effective this Sunday. This means that I will be required to work my last 24-hour shift on B ...

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The Regular Rate, FLSA, and Firefighters Part IV

This is the fourth installment in a six-part series from FirefighterOvertime.org on the regular rate. Proper calculation of the regular rate is critical. All FLSA overtime must be at least time and one-half of the regular rate. The regular rate has been referred to as the “linchpin” of the FLSA. Not only is calculating the regular rate important, it can ...

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Another Alleged Regular Rate Violation for California Firefighters

Another California fire department is facing allegations it failed to include all remuneration in firefighters’ regular rate of pay. Kevin Burris, a Petaluma firefighter, has filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of California against the city alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Specifically, Burris claims the city failed to include holiday “in-lieu” pay and money ...

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The Regular Rate, FLSA, and Firefighters Part III

This is the third installment in a six-part series from FirefighterOvertime.org on the regular rate. Proper calculation of the regular rate is critical. All FLSA overtime must be at least time and one-half of the regular rate. The regular rate has been referred to as the “linchpin” of the FLSA. Not only is calculating the regular rate important, it can ...

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Combination Fire Departments and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I just got hired as one of two paid firefighters who work weekdays for a volunteer fire department. My partner and I are the only employees. I have been a volunteer here since high school. Part of accepting the position required me to stop volunteering as a firefighter. I can still respond on major calls, but I ...

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The Regular Rate, FLSA, and Firefighters Part II

This is the second installment in a six-part series from FirefighterOvertime.org on the regular rate. Proper calculation of the regular rate is critical. All FLSA overtime must be at least time and one-half of the regular rate. The regular rate has been referred to as the “linchpin” of the FLSA. Not only is calculating the regular rate important, it can ...

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Texas Paramedic Files FLSA Suit Against Dallas/Fort Worth Airport

A former paramedic for the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has filed an FLSA lawsuit against his former employer, seeking unpaid overtime and other money damages for the past three years. Douglas Patterson filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Patterson alleges that he and other paramedics did not receive all remuneration in their ...

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Rhode Island Firefighter Files FLSA Suit Against Town of East Greenwich

William Perry, a firefighter and dispatcher for the East Greenwich Fire Department, has filed an FLSA suit against his employer, the Town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The suit which was filed on March 23, 2018, in federal court alleges the town willfully violated the FLSA over the past three years. Perry is seeking back wages, liquidated damages, and attorney’s ...

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The Regular Rate, FLSA, and Firefighters Part I

This is the first installment in a six-part series from FirefighterOvertime.org on the regular rate. Proper calculation of the regular rate is critical. All FLSA overtime must be at least time and one-half of the regular rate. The regular rate has been referred to as the “linchpin” of the FLSA. Not only is calculating the regular rate important, it can ...

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Civilian Public Safety Dispatchers & the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I am a city HR director. We employ civilian public safety dispatchers who handle dispatching for both the police and fire departments. The dispatchers work an average of 42 hours per week. If they work all their assigned shifts, the dispatchers are paid 80 hours of straight time and four hours of overtime every two weeks. The ...

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