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Is Code of Ethics Code Blue?

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Or so the Fire Service Reputation Management White Paper Report (https://myfirecompanies.com/download.php?f=4383_orig.pdf&fc=whitepaper2010highres-Final%20for%20publication%203-8-2010.pdf) would lead us to believe.

But, it comes off as if sounding an alarm to a recent fire service revelation.

And the truth is that many of us have been discussing many of the areas of concern for some time. I can tell you that the hot topic of firefighter arson has been on the discussion boards since at least 2001 and USFA released a report on it here: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-141.pdf

Am I to believe that people who apply for firefighter positions have to be reminded that, as firefighters, they will be held to higher moral and ethical standards?

Unless they recently crawled out of a cave, I would think that, if nothing else in the job description is known, “held in the public’s trust” would be a tacit thought at the very least.

What fire departments have to do is to screen out the candidates who might have an ulterior motive for joining a fire department, which is to use the position of trust to commit crimes. (See http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_b988d898-0962-11df-879a-001cc4c03286.html).

When departments are making poor decisions to recruit and retain members, why would we expect that same department to make GOOD decisions when a firefighter has been caught committing a serious criminal act?

Fire departments keep their dirty little secrets “internal” for one of two reasons: either they honestly believe that they have the wherewithal to appropriately deal with it or they are hiding and hoping; that is, hiding it from the public and hoping that it will go away on its own.

The Fire Service Reputation Management White Paper Report was delivered with an almost wide-eyed astonishment. No disrespect is intended, but, in my mind, it was never a question of whether our lofty moral and ethical characters were taking a hit with each new firefighter arrest, but when, as a nation of firefighters, we were going to collectively do something about it.

I resent that, once again, “lack of leadership” is being credited with this growing blight in the fire service, because in today’s society of Google search, scientific calculators, Garmin GPS, computerized cash registers and instant gratification from pass/fail and “ nobody gets cut and everyone gets a trophy for participating”, we have essentially lowered the bar, because the process where we are taught how to learn is no longer practiced. Leaders are being expected to lead people who will not take personal responsibility and if they are the future leaders, then isn’t it likely that they will invoke excuses that has become a part of their modus operandi ?

Honest, hard work to succeed has been displaced by “whatever it takes” and unfortunately, that includes cheating and breaking the law.

A few years ago, here in Illinois, a department was caught cheating on an EMT test, so instead of disciplining the individuals involved and changing the order and wording on the test questions, the entire state exam was scrapped and a new one written. It took over two years and God knows how much money and in the meantime, Illinois was without a state EMT test. Anyone who was in class at the time had to pay for and take the National Registry test. New EMT classes weren’t started because of the test issues. Look at all the trouble a few selfish cheaters caused, but what was done to them? We never heard. I would have terminated them had they been on my department.

Maybe, instead of investing money in “competitive” grants, some of that money should go to every department in the country for conducting thorough background checks, psychological testing and education programs to recognize criminal behavior in their members. We might see some positive results.

We also know that self policing, whether it be with regards to drinking/drugs, computer use, harassment claims or department assets, simply doesn’t work. Once again, we find ourselves legislating common sense and this should not be the case if we have hired reasonable people with above average intelligence.

If departments still believe that they want to police themselves, then good for them, but if that were the case and I made decisions on federal funding, then any department found guilty of any of the crimes cited in the white paper would NOT receive any federal money for the duration of length of the individual’s sentence. Sentences of probation would cost a department one year of eligibility for federal grants.

A code of ethics has always been there. Unfortunately, it took a back seat to money and manpower discussions. And it’s ironic, but ethics has everything to do with money and manpower.

Sometimes we can’t see the forest through the trees.

TCSS.

This article is protected by federal copyright laws. It cannot be reproduced in any form without the expressed written permission of the author, Art Goodrich aka ChiefReason.

Please visit: www.fireemsblogs.com and my blog at: www.chiefreasonart.com.

Posted by chiefreason on March 12, 2010 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , , , , ,

A Means to an End-A Bad One!

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In my last blog, I wrote about how nepotism gone unchecked could adversely affect a fire department and leave it on “life support”.

Here is an example of how to kill a fire department.

The source for my comments comes from TheDay.com.

(William) “Celtruda’s grandfather Rocco, a long time fire volunteer, said he got ‘Billy’ involved in the fire service thinking it would help his grandson mature. ‘He’s 23 years old physically, but his emotional security is much more that of a teenager…When he drinks, he loses his moral compass’.”

Oh; it gets better.

Grandpa Rocco went on to say, “…that his grandson is basically ‘a good kid’ who immediately took responsibility for his actions”.

Hmmm; could it be because ‘Billy’ got caught?

I mean; all’s he did was to set THREE fires: two in occupied homes! Fortunately, no one died, but lives were changed forever.

If William Celtruda was taking responsibility for his actions, then why did he offer excuses at his sentencing?

William Celtruda blamed his drug use (crystal meth) and peer pressure from his fellow firefighters as excuses for setting the fires.

To the judge’s credit, she gave Celtruda the maximum 14 years in prison and five years probation in a case that had already been plea bargained by the prosecutor.

So; 23 year-old ‘Billy’ Celtruda vandalized his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle, had mental health issues and a drug abuse problem that Firefighter Grandpa Rocco thought that the Mystic Fire Department could help him straighten out?

Yeah; that worked out well, didn’t it?

A total of six occupants in three homes are lucky to be alive and thankfully, no firefighters died while fighting the arson fires set by Celtruda.

Young Billy will be all grown up when he gets out of prison. Then, he must go to work to pay $60,000 in restitution to the victims. Civil suits may also be filed.

Maybe in his spare time, Celtruda could volunteer for a fire department.

I mean; since the fire service is so hard up for members, who’s going to bother with a background check?

And even if a department does a check, Billy will simply tell them that it was long ago, that he’s “changed” and deserves a second chance. The sad part of that statement is that there is a department that might be foolish enough to do it!

We all make mistakes and here’s your gear. Do us proud, Billy!

When will the insanity stop?

When all departments are required to have a meaningful application process, including interviews and background checks, physicals including drug testing and a real desire to hire good citizens.

Otherwise, they are just adding to a growing problem and one that fire departments and communities cannot afford.

TCSS.

The article is protected by federal copyright law under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella. It is written and submitted by Art Goodrich a.k.a. ChiefReason. This article or any other article submitted under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella cannot be reproduced in ANY form without the expressed, written permission of the author. Violations are punishable by applicable laws.

Please visit: www.chiefreasonart.com

Posted by chiefreason on January 14, 2010 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , , , , ,

West Virginia-Hotbed for Arson

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I’ve got to tell you; this revelation coming out of West Virginia (http://www.dailymail.com/News/200910130853) has definitely caught my attention.

I have been watching firefighter arsonist cases for several years and never have I seen such a glaring, isolated trend.

When THIRTY firefighters have been arrested and charged with arson just in the last year in of all places, West Virginia; you have to wonder if the cops in that state are very good at their investigations or is the rest of the country derelict, under-reporting cases or just plain ignoring what looks like a growing problem?

Firefighters who set fires are a very disturbing crime indeed. There is no reason that is rational and no excuse that is reasonable for a firefighter to violate their sacred oath to protect their communities in their times of need.

I liken a firefighter who sets fires to putting a vampire in charge of the blood bank.

Is there a desire that lies deep within a firefighters’ subconscious that needs fires?

If the potential to cross the line and set fires exists, then what keeps the majority of firefighters from crossing that line?

If “boredom”-often cited as a reason for a firefighter to set fires-is a symptom, then is heavy call volume the cure?

Were a firefighter not a firefighter, would he be an arsonist, nonetheless?

What tools exist TODAY that would screen out potential arsonists? The obvious one is criminal background checks, but it won’t unlock the juvenile file, where early fire-setting might be indicated.

Is there a psychological exam designed specifically to address potential arsonist tendencies in a candidate?

Ladies and gentlemen; my questions are not rhetorical. I am looking for answers.

You can search out many discussion boards on the various firefighter websites and you will find discussions on the topic of firefighter arsonists.

Firefighter arson creates a public relations nightmare for the fire department, but the real damage is to the public’s trust for the ones that they trust the most-firefighters.

The fear factor is off the charts as the fires are set-one; then another. An entire community will not sleep until the arsonist(s) is caught.

But, that is only the beginning of the fear, if it is a firefighter(s) who is caught. The fear will continue and often morph into mistrust in an entire fire department. Will it ever go away or will it continue forever?

It will continue, because somewhere; another firefighter will be arrested for arson and those communities who have suffered similarly will re-live it again and again…wondering if it will happen to their community again.

That is why we must stop it before it starts.

We can’t allow it to happen. But how?

If a cop is convicted of a crime, such as domestic violence, they can no longer possess a firearm; essentially ending their law enforcement career.

Likewise, if a firefighter is convicted of a crime such as arson, they should never be allowed to be a firefighter again.

However; if the horse is already out of the barn, then the damage is already done. We have many punishments and programs once a criminal is convicted of a crime. Where are the programs designed to keep them from committing the crime in the first place? You know; there is only so much Mom and Dad can do with regards to shaping their children’s’ personalities.

Will a firefighter be given the opportunity to set another fire because due diligence wasn’t done, because a department wouldn’t conduct a thorough background check, question “nomadic” tendencies or connect the dots between a spotty work record and a meaningful, oral interview?

Will a “gut feeling” be sufficient?

If the problem in West Virginia is any indication, then our national fire service is in for some very rough times.

We need to fix it now…for the sake of the good men and women who serve and the communities that they have sworn to protect.

Here is some related reading:  

http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blogs/the-abcs-of-arson

http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blogs/889755:BlogPost:440973

http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blogs/889755:BlogPost:318771

http://thewatchdesk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42772

TCSS.

Art

This article is protected by federal copyright laws. It cannot be reproduced in any form without the expressed permission of the author

Posted by chiefreason on October 16, 2009 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , , ,

The ABCs of Arson

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There have been several, excellent blogs posted recently on timely topics, but I just can’t seem to get past the whole “firefighter as arsonist” issue. It simply blows my mind as to how anyone in such a strong position of public trust could intentionally set a fire.

 

There have been a couple of recent arson cases that provoked me into delving further into the reasons firefighters set fires.

 

So, I went on an Internet search for some fresh information and I found a very compelling white paper written by the Forensic Psychology Practice LTD of the Willows Clinic in Great Britain.

 

However; the report was written in 1999! But, I was taken by its timeless relevance and its precision in breaking down the behavior of fire-setting.

 

After reading the report, my concern is this: do firefighters start setting fires AFTER they become firefighters OR had they set fires while growing up and continued their propensity, using the cover of firefighter to quell suspicions?

 

After all, less than 5% of the arsonists are ever caught and convicted, which might explain why the study of arson is a growing science.

 

Here’s a famous example of one who was never caught: David Berkowitz. The “Son of Sam” serial killer who was caught in 1977 and charged with the murder of Stacy Moskowitz claimed to have set over 2,000 fires in New York City. He told investigators that, as a kid, he wanted to be a FIREFIGHTER! Doesn’t that just about knock your socks off?

 

Here’s my dilemma…I always thought that firefighters who set fires were “different” than your typical arsonist. But, after I read this report, I have changed my mind.

 

More often than not, a firefighter arsonist will say that they set fires “out of boredom”. In other words, they wanted more excitement. A few will say that they wanted to be “heroes”, fewer still will say they did it for money and a very few will say that they did it for self-gratification.

 

Interestingly, arsonists who are not firefighters will tell you the same thing!

 

And in ALL cases, arson was used to solve a problem-real or perceived.

 

A lot has been made of the lack of intelligence of arsonists. Their average IQ is below 70.

 

Really?

 

Then why can’t people with college degrees and years of investigative experience catch them or better yet, screen them out of fire departments?

 

Remember the guy who terrorized the Pacific Northwest, armed with nothing more than a BIC lighter? His name was Paul Keller and it wasn’t the cops who caught him; his dad turned him in! Paul might still be setting fires were it not for dear old Dad.

 

I am of the opinion that many arsonists are smarter than their IQ score would indicate, but were “under-achievers”. Let’s be honest; the more you do a task, the better you should get at it; right?

 

The report recognizes three components, easily remembered by “ABC”-Antecedent (trigger), Behavior and Consequence. When analyzing a firefighter arsonist for instance, “boredom” would be the antecedent (trigger); setting the fire would be the behavior and responding to and fighting the fire would be the consequence. Be careful not to confuse it with “end result”. We all know what the end result can be, but you have to remember that the arsonist doesn’t care about the consequences that are outside of his locus of control.

 

Again; in ALL arson cases, arson is the resolution to a problem; also called “the only viable option theory”. With this approach, arson is a “highly effective means of changing hard-to-tolerate circumstances or conditions”. Is boredom hard to tolerate? In the mind of the arsonist, not going to fires is hard to take. He believes that there is only one way to fix it. So, yes; boredom may trigger fire-setting in firefighters where fires are not an every day occurrence.

 

So, when an arsonist sets a fire, they are only concerned with resolving THEIR problem without regard for the ensuing problems that it may cause their victims.

 

Though they may say that they are remorseful, science says that they are not. With this in mind, no empathy or sympathy should be shown to the arsonist. They will only be remorseful for getting caught!

 

In closing, I would submit to readers that you must use an assessment tool for selecting prospective members or for members that may be suspected of setting fires. Simply conducting a criminal background check might reveal an arson charge, if it was committed as an adult, but remember; juvenile records are sealed. Even then, the charge might not be arson, but is cleverly disguised as criminal mischief, property damage or vandalism. The fact that fire was involved will be buried somewhere deep into the report.

 

Fire-setting has its highest frequency in the 10-25 year-old age group. For many of you, that would encompass your explorer’s group. So, even your candidates for explorer should be screened.

 

You should no apologies for your due diligence, but think about your department’s image should one of your own sets fires.

 

Apologies won’t be nearly enough to the people that you have sworn to protect from the ravages of fire.

 

Make sure that you have conducted a full background history on your people. Watch and listen to them. Are they displaying behavior that indicates pleasure that there is a fire? Do they display anti-social behavior? You need to be vigilant and be prepared to contact professionals if you sense a problem.

 

At least think about it.

 

TCSS.

 

This article is protected by copyright under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella. It cannot be reproduced in any form without the expressed permission of Art Goodrich aka ChiefReason.

Posted by chiefreason on June 2, 2009 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , ,

Firefighter or Firesetter?

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First Published 3/17/08

 

That is a question that we are asking ourselves with more frequency.

 

To me, that’s like asking if Count Dracula is in charge of the Blood Bank. It doesn’t make any sense to those who understand the tradition and history of the fire service.

 

How can we believe for a minute that our citizens will continue to support us once word gets out that there is an arsonist in our ranks?

 

To say that it is not a stain on the entire fire service is simply wrong. These same people who called us “hero” after 9/11 will brand us all as betrayers to our call to duty. They will no longer trust nor support us.

 

My personal opinion is this: the trust that exists between a community and its fire department is every bit as strong as a doctor/patient, priest/confessor, husband/wife or teacher/student. This bond, if broken, provokes a powerful, emotional response and forgiveness, when sought, will be elusive until some act of contrition is completed. It could take weeks, months, years or NEVER.

 

Arson is terrorism. It is not a property crime, as many think. It is a mind crime! It preys on a human’s basic fear of the unknown. I would compare it to treading in shark-infested waters; not knowing when they will attack you.

 

The legal description for arson is “the malicious burning or exploding of a dwelling house, commercial or public building or the immediate area around it”. A perpetrator’s “intent” adds more weight at trial than “motive”. It is a felony in the first, second or third degree. Arson has been committed if the intent was to injure/kill someone or defraud an entity of money.

 

As you can see, a firefighter arsonist does not exactly “fit” the conventional definition of an arsonist. Firefighter arsonists do not typically set fires to injure/kill someone or to defraud an insurance company.

 

The FBI profile of the firefighter arsonist is:

1)     White male, age 17 – 25.

2)     One or both parents missing from home during childhood. If they are from an intact home, the home atmosphere was mixed and unstable.

3)     Dysfunctional. One of the parents left the home before the child reached age 17. Cold, distant, hostile or aggressive relationship with the natural father.

4)     Poor marital adjustment. If not married, still living at home with the parents.

5)     Lack of stable, interpersonal relationships.

6)     Poor occupational adjustment. Menial laborer, skilled laborer or clerical jobs.

7)     Interested in the fire service in the context that it provides an arena for excitement; NOT for the sake of public service.

8)      Alcoholism, childhood hyperactivity, homosexuality, depression, borderline personality disorder and suicidal tendencies.

9)     Mixed findings on intelligence, but most found to have average to higher intelligence, but poor academic performance.

 

Researchers have found that firefighter arsonists are usually relatively junior and in their first, three years of service. They tend to use available materials, such as paper or clothing, together with an accelerant and matches or cigarette lighter. They generally work alone, but have been found to work as a group. In a team setting, they may appear to be cocky, arrogant and overbearing. Younger individuals may be overly “eager” to please or to seek attention.*

 

Now; armed with this information, is there any reason why you could not fashion an application or interview process that addresses the potential of hiring arsonists?

 

There has to be a “due diligence” involved in your hiring process. Without it, your department could be slapped with charges of “negligent hiring”.

 

Filling openings in your department’s membership roster with “warm bodies” may very well come back to bite you when things heat up with several, suspicious fires, ultimately ushering in charges of arson against one of your own.

 

My advice is to stack the deck, load up on the front end and make every effort to create a culture where new applicants clearly understand your department’s expectations.

 

Otherwise, all of your hard work to gain your public’s trust could go up in smoke!

 

Take care and stay safe.

 

 

The article as submitted is published under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella and is the intellectual property of Art Goodrich a.k.a. xchief22 and ChiefReason. It is protected by federal copyright laws and cannot be re-printed in any form without expressed permission from the author.

Posted by chiefreason on January 12, 2009 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , ,