Stamford Announces Settlement Of Firefighter Promotion Lawsuit

STAMFORD, CT — On Wednesday, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons announced that the city and four firefighters have settled a lawsuit that paused firefighter promotions for several years.

In 2018, Stamford firefighters Kevin Dingle, Robert Pickering, Brian Whitbread and Bruce Wagoner filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming they were passed over for promotion "in a manner which violates the Charter, the Classified Service Rules, and their statutory and constitutional rights," according to lawsuit documents.

The firefighters said that in 2017, test scores for promotional examinations were rounded up to the nearest whole number.

According to the Stamford Advocate, a state Superior Court judge granted an injunction in 2019 that extended a pause on lieutenant and captain promotions, and found that the firefighters were not fairly considered for a promotion.

A joint motion from both parties to lift the injunction was granted this week, the Advocate said.

"The settlement of this lawsuit means the city will soon conduct a round of promotions for six lieutenants and three captains from the original eligibility list that was the subject of the lawsuit, using procedures agreed to by all parties to the settlement," a news release from Simmons' office said. "Subsequently, and on a schedule to be determined, the city will also be able to proceed with a promotional process, including the administration of competitive examinations, for additional leadership vacancies in the fire department."

Simmons said the settlement agreement will increase public safety and firefighter safety by allowing the city to provide stable leadership throughout the fire department.

"It also opens the door to opportunities for so many of our firefighters who have waited very long for the chance to rise to positions of greater responsibility," Simmons added. "I am proud that my administration was able to bring this long-running dispute to a positive end."

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