Charleston firefighter sues city for retaliation over complaints

A Charleston firefighter and the local union are suing the city. They claim that the city’s fire department retaliated against the firefighter for speaking out about unsafe working conditions. In 2024, firefighter Robert Tackett reported serious issues at Station 9. He described the station as having excessive heat, mold, leaks, and a broken pole. Tackett has worked in the Charleston Fire Department for over 11 years. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court on March 4 against the city, Fire Chief Dan Curia, and Deputy Fire Chief Forrest Cockcroft. The lawsuit states that Tackett's rights to free speech and union association were violated. Tackett believes he was punished for sharing his concerns with the union. The attorneys argue that this retaliation could discourage other firefighters from speaking up about safety issues. Around July 17, 2024, Tackett informed the union that the bunk rooms at Station 9 were too hot for firefighters to sleep in. Chief Curia visited the station and suggested moving to the few rooms with air conditioning. Shortly after, Tackett was written up for not following the chain of command. He was then transferred to Station 7, which offers fewer overtime opportunities. The write-up will remain in his file, potentially affecting his chances for promotion. The lawsuit emphasizes that Tackett raised these health and safety concerns to protect firefighters and the public. The issues at Station 9 directly impact their ability to serve the community. In November 2024, the department temporarily closed the station to improve its heating and air system.