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Fire Engineering Magazine’s been devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877. Listen to our lineup of podcasts featuring hosts from around the fire service.
Navigating NFPA Standards to Avoid Criminal Liability and Lawsuits
Fire Engineering Podcast Network
59 minutes
2 weeks ago
Navigating NFPA Standards to Avoid Criminal Liability and Lawsuits
This episode of Fire Service Court explores the complex role NFPA standards play in firefighting operations, criminal cases, and civil litigation. Hosts Brad Pinsky, John K. Murphy, Chip Comstock, and Curt Varone discuss how failing to understand or comply with NFPA guidelines can lead to devastating outcomes, including jail time and a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. They examine a 2002 New York case where ignorance of NFPA standards led to criminal manslaughter charges, illustrating the real-life stakes of compliance.
The panel stresses that while NFPA standards are valuable safety benchmarks, they are not absolute law. They highlight the critical need for fire departments to audit compliance, educate personnel, and engage expert legal and operational defense. Through practical advice, including checklist implementation and risk management, this episode equips firefighters and chiefs to protect both their teams and their departments from legal and safety pitfalls.
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Fire Engineering Podcast Network
Fire Engineering Magazine’s been devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877. Listen to our lineup of podcasts featuring hosts from around the fire service.
