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Advanced FLSA Webinar:


Executive Exemption: Fire Officers and Overtime April 18, 2024


Are fire officers exempt from overtime because they are executive employees, or are they hourly wage earners? That question has perplexed fire departments, municipal officials, and the courts for decades. Even the Department of Labor’s efforts in 2004 to clarify things have done little to stem the tide. This program will take a close look at the law and the cases to explain why some officers are entitled to overtime and other are not.


Join us:


April 18, 2024


1 PM EST


Info / Register

Exempt Executive Employee vs.

Non-Exempt First Responder

Firefighter Overtime Headlines


Orlando District Chiefs Allege Retaliation Following FLSA Misclassification Lawsuit


GA Battalion Chiefs File FLSA Lawsuit


CA Fire Protection District Settles FLSA Overtime Lawsuit with Two Former Battalion Chiefs


Arlington TX Deputy Chiefs Seek Overtime


Allegations of FLSA Misclassification and Retaliation from Indiana Battalion Chiefs

Advanced FLSA Live Webinar Series


The NEW Advanced FLSA Series provides attendees with an in-depth analysis of specific FLSA topics that are impacting the fire service today. Topics range from the challenges associated with properly calculating a firefighter's regular rate of pay, managing off-the-clock work, best tactics and strategies after finding an FLSA error, and determining the criteria necessary to classify fire department officers as overtime exempt.


Each Advanced class will examine the FLSA, Department of Labor regulations and opinions, past and current legal cases, and the challenges associated administering the FLSA to firefighters and other first responders.


Additionally, attendees will learn about fire service specific best practices associated with federal wage and hour law.

FLSA for Fire Departments In-Person Classes are BACK!!!


Next Offering


October 1, 2, & 3 2024


Hosted by: Mesa Fire & Medical Department


Mesa, AZ


Info / Register

Think the FLSA does not affect your city's fire department?


Think again... No other law impacts fire department operations nor costs local governments more than the FLSA.


Fire departments have paid out more than $650 million in damages and legal fees from FLSA lawsuits over the past 20 years alone.


The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that was originally enacted in 1938, but has only applicable to fire departments since the mid 1980's.


FLSA for Fire Departments is a comprehensive overview of wage and hour issues in the fire and emergency services. This three-day live program addresses the most important topics governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act, including overtime requirements, maximum hours, determining regular rate, payments made to volunteers, comp time, substitutions, record keeping and much, much more.


This program would benefit all fire and emergency service leaders, municipal finance, payroll, and HR personnel, as well as any other administrators responsible for paying firefighters. Additionally, union officials and attorneys responsible for collective bargaining would also benefit greatly from the program.


Taught by Experienced Firefighter Instructors:


Curt Varone, JD, EFO

Bill Maccarone, JD, MS

Brian Massatt, JD, MPA

FLSA Bootcamp for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments


It’s the perfect storm. Volunteerism is at an all-time low. Training and minimum standards are at an all-time high. Recruiting & retaining members is a nationwide-challenge. It's left many organizations opting to pay members to respond or be available for a shift.


At what point does a volunteer become an employee? Employees are entitled to minimum wage for all hours worked including volunteer hours. Then there's overtime. There's alot at stake!


July 10, 2024


1PM EST


Info / Register

Payroll_ Overtime. Binder data finance report business with graph analysis in office.

Advanced FLSA Webinar:








Calculating Regular Rate for Firefighters and other First Responders July 24, 2024


This program will take a deep dive into complex wage and hour issues related to properly calculating a firefighters' regular rate - the rate upon which overtime is calculated. Regular rate violations continue to be the most common allegation in FLSA lawsuits against fire departments. This advanced FLSA program addresses the major issues and current trends related properly calculating the regular rate for firefighters, EMS personnel, and other public safety civilian personnel. Longevity pay, medic pay, specialty pay, incentive pay, sick leave buy backs, holiday pay, shift-differentials, out-of-rank/step-up pay, health care buy-backs, vacation buy-backs, attendance bonuses, and more will be addressed.


July 24, 2024


1 PM EST


Info / Register

FLSA For Fire Departments Seminar


Frequently Asked Questions


Does the seminar address FLSA concerns for volunteer fire departments?


Absolutely, you will learn everything you need to know about the FLSA and how it impacts volunteer organizations. In fact, the seminar also addresses concerns associated with employees volunteering services within a paid organization. For example, how to manage paid firefighters that volunteer to serve on committees, honor guards, and other similar departmental functions.


Does the seminar qualify for continuing educational credit for human resource and/or payroll professionals?


Yes, past attendees have received CLE credit from HR, payroll, and even state bar associations after attending.

Does the seminar address the FLSA's executive exemption and how it applies to shift commanders and other high ranking fire officers?


Yes, you will leave the class with an understanding of the ins-and-outs of numerous FLSA exemptions (not only the executive exemption).

Past - Attendee Reviews


This class was time well-spent. I was very pleased with both the content and the delivery. - City HR/Finance Professional


The knowledge of the instructors and their ability to present this topic was outstanding. - Fire Chief


The presenters were able to "boil-down" the FLSA to language and concepts that were easy to understand. - Fire Chief


The course info was clear and concise and the interaction among the panelists was enjoyable. - City HR/Finance Professional


Well organized, great deal of valuable information - Fire Dept. Union Official


Excellent & from start to finish, well worth the time - City Payroll Professional


All of the material was great. Especially the Hypos and real world examples/cases. - HR Professional