46:01

May 7, 2026
First Thursday, May 2026
The rise of gambling apps has created an multitude of issues, and the public safety labor environment has not been immune from its effects. In this episode of First Thursday, Rick Poulson explores this rapidly growing issue and its implications for public safety agencies. Sparked by both personal ob

55:50

March 5, 2026
First Thursday, April 2026
Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:12)The CasesCourt Rejects Late First Amendment Challenge to “Talk My S**t” Termination, Shelton v Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (6th Cir. 2026)(00:02:40)No ULP When Citgy Refused To Make Firefighters Whole For W-2 Errors, Rochester Fire Fighters Ass’n v.

57:11

March 5, 2026
First Thursday, March 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case United States v. Hemani. The case deals with whether federal criminal statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance to possess a firearm, is constitutional when it is used to pr

45:10

February 5, 2026
First Thursday, February 2026
Employers often try to win disputes by focusing on technical definitions or procedural arguments. They will apply a narrow definition to an employee’s workplace right and reframe the dispute so the protection seems not to apply.All four cases covered in this month’s podcast are examples of this tact

36:34

January 15, 2026
First Thursday, January 2026, Part 2
In part two of this month’s podcast, Rick offers his predictions for 2026 for three different categories.The economy – boom or bust? (00:02:10)Recruitment and retention – will federal agencies poach local law enforcement officers? (00:14:40)The courts – big changes in equal opportunity. (00:23:37)

01:02:58

January 8, 2026
First Thursday, January 2026, Part 1
A look back, a look ahead.We took January 1 off for the New Year’s Day holiday, so this First Thursday episode is posting on the second Thursday. We will be posting a bonus episode on the third Thursday (and you thought there were no more Christmas gifts coming).This episode will cover what Rick thi

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05/14/2026
Fire service leaders don’t lose sleep because the job is dangerous; we lose sleep when we know what the right move is but can’t make it. That is moral distress, and it can be heavy.The term moral distress first appeared in healthcare research decades ago to describe what happens when professionals k

Meet the Speakers

Michael Loconto
Ryan Hancock
Thomas Gribbin
Ben Albrecht
Richard Poulson

Attendees

Stephanie Northcutt
Siara Goyer
Ryne Rapp
Jasom Lammert
Matt Sproch
Patrick Chesney
Nina Gharibian
Zachary Malizia