Public Safety Held to Higher Standard
In the past weeks, two firefighters have made national headlines not for saving people but for allegedly setting fires including one that left several people dead.
Firefighters are not alone when it comes to lapses in ethics. It extends to EMS personnel and law enforcement officers as well.
"One single misdeed taints not only the department but the profession," said John Sinclair, chair of the EMS Division of the IAFC.
Firefighters, EMS personnel and police officers are held to a higher standard. When they misbehave on or off the job it becomes news.
The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association decided the issue needed to be brought to the forefront. Following a discussion at a leadership conference a little more than a year ago, a reputation management group was formed, said Steve Austin, past president of CVVFA.
They have met a few times not only to discuss, but also to write a paper on the issue.
Next week, a draft of the group's document will be distributed for review among its members. After revisions, it will be published in training publications.
"It's a best practices' document. We are not preaching," Sinclair said. "It's our responsibility to do everything in our power to prevent bad conduct."
Sinclair, the fire chief of Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue in Ellensburg, Wa.., said it's essential that departments hire good people. The public deserves nothing less.
"It's up to us to keep bad people out of public safety. As they say, one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel."
Background checks as well as psychological screenings are necessary to make sure people are suitable for the positions. "The days of a pulse and a patch are gone," Sinclair said.
Austin said the committee that's been working on the project include fire service leaders from around the country. "This involved some of the brightest people in the fire service. We believe that the behavior of one affects us all."
He added that every chief needs to take charge to make sure only trustworthy people become members. "This is not a volunteer issue or a career issue. It's a public safety issue."
The CVVFA project has received financial support from St. Joseph's University and VFIS.
Sinclair said when incidents do occur, officials need to be honest. "It's our job to try to prevent it. If it happens, however, it's essential that the issue be addressed."
Committee members understand the media's role is to report the news - good or bad.
Public safety workers are held to higher standards because of the trust involved. They are going into homes or businesses, and dealing with people at their most vulnerable time. Often, they care for an elderly person or child.
As a chief, Sinclair said it's his responsibilities are vast. In addition to making sure his people receive the proper training and go home after the shift, he also is held accountable for their conduct.
"We're not just talking about firefighters setting fires; we're talking about people with substance abuse problems, those involved in fraudulent things or other misdeeds."
Austin said it's unfortunate that one person can cause trouble for the entire crew. "We have to stand together to protect our reputations."
