A Ridgewood (NJ) firefighter was awarded $3.5 million in a lawsuit he brought against the village over a promotion that was denied him. The firefighter alleged he was passed over for promotion because he blew the whistle on firefighter safety violations at the department.
Kevin Reilly says he reported two instances where firefighter safety was compromised to higher-ups in the fire department. Instead of addressing the issues, Reilly alleges, his supervisors passed him over for promotion to lieutenant and gave him unflattering reviews, according to a report on NorthJersey.com (http://bit.ly/y40FsE).
The village is considering appealing the verdict.
Reilly contends that, during a fire response in January 2009, the deputy chief ordered him to enter a residence despite his limited air supply.
In another instance in 2007, Reilly and other firefighters were allegedly ordered to clean up a hazardous material leaking at a local hospital, a job that Reilly said was supposed to be handled by a hazmat crew.
