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Need Not Be Present To…Re-Certify!

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“Over 200 Massachusetts EMTs Suspended in Certification Scheme” is a headline that will get your attention!

Many of you will recall that FirefighterNation posted a news story back on May 27, 2010 about this: http://firefighternation.com/forum/topics/boston-firefighters-among.

In a recent news article (http://firefighternation.com/forum/topics/over-200-massachusetts-emts) that was posted on June 18, 2010, you will find more current information, including punishments that have already been delivered.

It has also been handed over to the states’ attorney general for further action, if warranted.

What struck me was the very last comment in the http://firefighternation.com/forum/topics/over-200-massachusetts-emts article. It stated:

Auerbach said some of the EMTs caught up in the probe expressed remorse for their actions, but others ‘did not quite understand the severity of their actions!

That statement simply blows me away.

Is it stealing?

Is it cheating?

Is it fraud?

Is it a criminal act?

Now; I am not sitting on my pedestal, high atop of moral ground, but; when you commit a dishonest act, you can either continue down that path and end up in REAL trouble or you can see the errors of your ways and correct it.

We are not talking about sneaking a peek at someone’s poker hand when they leave the table to go to the restroom.

We are not talking about taking a couple of tomatoes from your neighbor’s garden.

We are not talking about a kid writing the answers on their arm to test questions on a high school exam.

We are not talking about someone who drives 5 mph over the posted speed limit.

We are not talking about someone’s indiscretion only hurting them.

No; we are talking about someone who took money to go to classes, did not attend those classes and received credit anyway and was re-certified as a giver of advanced medical care.

We are talking about actions taken that will hurt a fire department ambulance service and a community for months and even years to come.

Others on the fire department who did the required work to re-certify as an EMT will be resentful and distrustful of those who “bought” their re-certification.

The face of the fire department will no longer be the face of one of the most trusted occupations on Earth.

The public will feel that their trust has been violated. They won’t know who to trust. They won’t know which ones cheated and which ones didn’t, so they will distrust ALL of them! It doesn’t matter to the public if this is the first or the tenth time. The time is NOW.

So; though the public might not be interested in learning the pathology of this scandal, I have to wonder if this type of behavior has been reinforced by years of not getting caught for other dishonest acts.

I have to wonder if these thieves cheated on exams during their high school days, then college and then, they fabricated a job resume that got them hired to their jobs. I wonder if they are getting “free” cable TV from their neighbors.

In their world, dishonesty has become their reality, so they would not view their dishonest actions as wrong or at the very least “no big deal”.

They got caught this time, so they’ll just pay the money again and take the test. No problem, right?

Ask yourself if you would rather have someone who cheated at card games, but studied hard, did their practicals, kept up on their in-service training so that they could re-certify their EMT license OR someone who paid off an instructor to get a free pass on their re-certification. Hmmm…

Get out the deck of cards!

How screwed up does your moral compass have to be to NOT comprehend that lying, cheating and stealing to gain re-certification of life-saving skills is wrong?

Here’s a paradoxical question for you and you don’t have to raise your hand: how many of you would cheat if you KNEW that you could get away with it?

Some of you will answer “no” and will be completely honest.

Some of you will answer “no” and be lying about it.

Some of you will answer “yes” because, in your mind, the reward is worth the risk.

Some of you will answer “yes” but will try to rationalize it with the old “I didn’t have time to study” argument.

Still, some of you will answer “yes” because the few times that you got caught, you simply had to re-take the test, get lectured by your parents and promise never to do it again. Oh; the AGONY!

So; would an EMT who got their certification COD be qualified? Would YOU want to take that chance?

How would you feel if you found out that the guy who did your surgery was actually the night shift janitor at the hospital?

Or that the marriage counselor that you are seeing has been divorced FIVE times?

How about the drivers’ education teacher who has not had a valid drivers’ license for three years (DUI) and is teaching your sweet child?

I know how I would feel!

Why then, would instructors want to risk their teaching certificates and their students be willing to violate the public’s trust?

For the money?

Because they are lazy?

Because they didn’t think that they would get caught?

Because they thought that they knew everything anyway?

Because they thought that they were “different and special”?

Because they didn’t care?

Because they weren’t smart enough to pass it on their own?

No matter; rational people won’t be willing or able to justify it under any circumstances.

It may not feel good to be beaten by a team that cheats, but it would feel worse to “out-cheat” them in order to win. Remember: cheaters never win and winners never cheat!

We have to continue to believe that hard work has its rewards. Honesty, integrity, moral fiber and ethics have to drive those of us who are in public safety.

If we don’t conduct ourselves in that manner, then we will be facing moral dilemmas each and every day.

And little by little, our public’s trust will continue to erode.

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.fireemsblogs.com and my blog www.chiefreasonart.com.

Posted by chiefreason on June 24, 2010 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Person of Convictions or Convicted Person?

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Allowing convicted felons to serve on a fire department is not a moral/ethical question, but is one of legal liability. Beyond that, it raises serious issues with public trust.

Do we have no more regard for the public that we are sworn to protect that we would knowingly unleash a criminal with a key to the city?

Have we no more respect for the law-abiding members of the fire department that we would force them to act in concert with someone with known criminal tendencies?

Is it worth the potential legal problems from a failed, sociological experiment?

As a trustee for a fire district, I can tell you that the answer to all of the above is a resounding “NO”!

Every fire department should have a “Code of Ethics” that every prospective member should know before they join and would agree to follow if hired.

It goes without saying that current or active members would be guided by the same code of ethics.

If a prospective member has a criminal past, the code has already been violated. There are no second chances. A criminal past cannot be “undone”. Criminals cannot “take it back”, call a “do-over” or pretend that they were young and foolish and made a “mistake”. Breaking the law is not a mistake; it is a crime!

Most reasonable people are driven by the values that were instilled in them by a parent(s), their schools, churches and communities and are re-inforced by the laws of the land.

Though it is not intrusive to a civilized society; for those willing to break laws for personal gain, the laws are designed to discourage any thought of committing a crime by outlining the punishments if you do.

For those who perpetrate a criminal act, it is understood that they need to become gainfully employed once released from prison, but NOT in a public safety position in the public sector.

The private sector is better suited for a criminal assimilating back to Society.

It should be noted that, in my opinion, convicted felons are NOT starting a “new” life. They are resuming their lives with one strike against them.

I realize that you pay for your crime once, but you suffer the cost for the rest of your life-as it should be.

It is the fire department’s “Code of Ethics” that reminds a community that they will be served by the most ethical public servants that can be found and will be uncompromising with this mission.

Codes will not be ignored and rules will not be bent or broken.

Violations of the “Code of Ethics” will result in dismissal with cause.

Following are examples of verbiage often included in a “Code of Ethics” document:

  •  We will respect ourselves and the public that we represent and serve.
  • We recognize that our position as a public servant is a privilege.
  • The Public Interest will always be placed before individual, group or special interests.
  • We will not discriminate and will work to prevent and to eliminate discrimination where it exists.
  • We will accept “thank yous” and gestures of gratitude ONLY and will accept charitable donations in the spirit in which they are given.
  • We will not display negative or rude behavior towards the public.
  • We will not use our position of trust for personal gain.
  • We will always protect the confidentiality of our public’s information.
  • No drugs (legal) or alcohol will be consumed while on duty. When off-duty, at least eight (8) hours must pass after drugs (legal) or alcohol has been consumed before a member can respond to a call or callback.
  • Statements concerning the fire department will be issued through the Public Information Officer. Personal opinions shall be identified as such.

Keep in mind that it is a “Code of Ethics” and it does not take the place of pre-employment questionnaires, employment applications, criminal background checks or employment contracts. Having members recite a code of ethics may deepen and strengthen their commitment to them.

“Employment” is to be construed as career OR volunteer.

A volunteer fire department can be charged with negligent hiring in the same way a municipality with a full time fire department can.

And I have been advised that “Tort Immunity” will not cover it nor is there insurance for it. You pay cash if negligent hiring can be proven.

If that isn’t enough to discourage you from hiring people who have already proven that they cannot conduct themselves within the confines of the rule of law, then I don’t know what will.

Maybe, some of you weren’t cut out to be trustees.

Wait…

You probably thought that allowing the fire department to “elect” their members gets you off the hook?

Wrong again!

Under the law, you cannot abdicate any of your legally, sworn duties. Allowing the fire department to choose their members is, in fact, “hiring” them. And trustees “approve”, even if they are not directly involved with the decision.

Here, the fire department personnel committee makes the recommendation for a new member and the trustees approve it. Then, the probationary period starts. Once they make it through probation, they are “retained” and approved by the trustees.

But, be sure to use that argument in court: Well, your Honor; the fire department put him on the department. We had nothing to do with it.

Judge: And that’s exactly why you’re here! Get your checkbook out.

So; you might want to re-think that whole second chance mentality; at least where you claim to have the best interests of the public in mind.

TCSS.

The article written by Art Goodrich a.k.a. ChiefReason under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella is protected by federal copyright law. It cannot be re-produced in any form with the expressed and written permission of the author.

Please visit me at: www.fireemsblogs.com and go to www.chiefreasonart.com.

Posted by chiefreason on May 10, 2010 • Filed under: My Size Up • Tagged: , , , , , ,

Firefighter Arsonists

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First Published 9/24/08

From article on two Texas firefighters recently charged with arson:

Ervin said Southard has no previous criminal record or activity and had been recognized as rookie of the year and firefighter of the year by the Cloverleaf department in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

“He wanted to be a firefighter all his life,” Ervin said. “He’s a nice, intelligent kid from a good family. This is one of these things that’s just hard to figure other than as an immature act.”

Southard had attended San Jacinto College and received his basic Texas firefighter certification in 2006, his lawyer said.

Romero has two previous theft convictions, one of them for stealing equipment from another fire department where he served. The second conviction brought a 10-month state jail sentence.

Question: did these two “firefighters” know the difference between right and wrong when they set the fires? Did these two “firefighters” know that it violated the law to set the fires? Did these two “firefighters” know that it was reasonable to believe that their actions would cause damage to the properties?

The answer in all cases is “YES”! And for that, they should be convicted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. Add five (5) more years because they were firefighters.

The reason that I put the quote at the beginning is because, when I read it, I see someone making excuses or at the very least, offering a rationale for why the fires were set by these two. The tone of the article would lend itself to, were it not for these fires, Southard would still be a portrait of the “all American boy”. His actions were characterized as “immature”. IMMATURE? Let me tell you; an immature act would be putting your hand in your armpit and making farting noises. Setting a fire is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an immature act. It is a CRIMINAL act. When we, as a fire service, make any effort to trivialize the criminal act of a firefighter, we are enabling them. When we fail to cry out for harsh punishment for those who are caught, tried and convicted of setting fires, we are turning a deaf ear and a blind eye. And that is very troubling to me. We have become a society who wants to believe that there is no longer any personal accountability for our actions. We grasp for reasons, no matter how absurd they seem, in an effort to justify the act. We have to make it more palatable to deal with the unpleasant fall out of the reality.

Why can’t we simply say: “you screwed up; you got caught and now you must atone”?

I can’t speak for the rest of you, but I am sick and tired of the excuses. From the time we are born, we are taught the difference between right and wrong. Even if kids never see their parents, lacked a “home” life, school would step in and fill the void. If we walked down the street and violated a law, a cop would correct it. So, to claim that someone didn’t know the difference between right and wrong is indefensible.

Yeah, yeah, yeah; let’s not forget the “insanity” plea. But this testament to the power of the lawyer lobby has been diluted and polluted to the point that the person is no longer insane; it’s that they and their attorney put forth a defense that, because it was so eloquently presented, wins the hearts and minds of the judge and jury. They get style points, an “A” for effort and the criminal is acquitted of their crime. Don’t get me started on “innocent by reason of insanity”. We are insane to accept that as a rule of law.

So, we continue to see firefighters who are “bored” setting fires. Articles continue to indicate that, absent of this ONE act; these are fine, upstanding members of our community. They are family men, our neighbors; someone we trust with our lives. Which is why, in my mind, they are SCUM. They should never wear the uniform again or serve with a fire department anywhere in the continental United States. There should not be a “get out of jail free” card for them and there should not be a second chance as a firefighter. Firefighters know all too well the destructive powers of a fire on an emotional and physical level and should never, never set a fire for other than training. It violates our mission and it destroys the public trust in an entire organization.

If these mutts want forgiveness, they can get in line right behind the crack heads and career criminals. THEY have reasons for what they do, too.

 TCSS.

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