Webinar

After the Verdict: Operational Lessons from a $31.5M Firefighter LODD Case

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 1 pm Eastern [60 minutes]

On Dec. 3, 2021, Lt. Garrett Ramos of the Sterling (IL) Fire Department responded to a structure fire that started in the garage and spread into a one-story 1,200-square-foot home. What unfolded over the next two hours resulted in the line-of-duty death of Lt. Ramos and a civil lawsuit that ultimately delivered a $31.5 million verdict against the city of Rock Falls — the largest firefighter LODD verdict in United States history. 

This incident — and the court’s findings — carry significant implications for fire officers, chiefs and municipal leaders. Join Lexipol for a candid discussion with the plaintiff’s attorney and an expert witness involved in the case as we examine what went wrong, why the jury ruled as it did, and what fire service leaders can do to reduce operational risk and organizational liability.

You will learn:

  • Six critical tactical breakdowns that occurred on the fireground.
  • Why the jury ruled against the City because of the actions of the incident commander — and what that means for today’s fire officers.
  • The role training, supervision and documentation play in mitigating risk and liability.
  • How leaders can foster a culture that supports decisive action while prioritizing firefighter safety and risk management.

Presented by:

Michael Gallagher

Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder
Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department

Michael Gallagher
Managing Partner, 
Gallagher Law Officers, LLC           
Gary Ludwig  
Chief (Ret.) Gary Ludwig
Fire Service Expert Witness, Author & Educator
Past President, International Association of Fire Chiefs		  
   

Register now