A Wyoming, Michigan firefighter says he was fired last week because city officials didn't want him to work as a paid-on-call firefighter for Jamestown Township during his off-duty hours.
Thomas Saladino was fired Aug. 10 after 23 years in Wyoming.
He said Department of Public Safety Chief James Carmody and City Manager Curtis Holt were upset that Saladino advocated for a "two-hatter" protection law – which allows firefighters to work in multiple fire departments.
Saladino has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
Holt said he and Carmody would not comment on the legal action, filed shortly after Saladino's firing. Saladino, who is seeking at least $500,000 and costs, says staffing of part-time fire departments is a critical issue, and is eased when full-time firefighters volunteer or work on a part-time basis for the fire department where they live.
He contends that firefighters working as volunteers or on a part-time basis is a national practice allowing smaller municipalities to provide adequate fire protection.