What kind of a firefighter is this????

[NFD270]

Everyone...take the link and read this story about the Dumbass Fire Captain... I just couldn't believe it... Not the fact that he did it really, but the fact that he got caught...
Rock 103

Dumbass Fire Captain

[SFD13]

Hand the man (I won't call him a fire fighter) a stupid sign! Stunts like this hurt every fire fighter out there. What was he thinking. I bet more picture like this will show up when the family sues the city and fire dept. More fire grant money down the drain.

STUPID STUPID STUPID

[Fire Eater 07]

I would say that is some bad taste...how did he get caught?? We pose at fires and wrecks..in fact we just did...sitting at a burnt kitchen table holding smoked stained wine glasses with nothing but a burnt out kitchen and living room.....but not a body...thats just poor judgement,
I dont know if its worth a lawsuit, but a reprimand definitly...everybody so eager to sue....whats a lawsuit going to do??? nothing except hurt the fire department, the captain(firefighter) and his family..it was just a very poor decision..thats it..

[ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: Fire Eater 07 ]

[comwhite]

I can't believe they have him on PAID LEAVE!!!!

Geez, if a picture paints a 1000 words color his FIRED!!!! (pardon the pun)

[buckethead101]

he should and will be fired. not only is that conduct unbecoming a firefighter, it's conduct unbecoming a human being.

[Turk II]

Is there any chance this could be blown out of proportion or taken out of context? Is there any other info on this other than a few paragraphs on a rock radio's web site???

I know nothing about this other than what I've read but before we jump down the guy's throat let's get the whole story. (and then jump down the guy's throat)!

Maybe this was just a big mistake; perhaps the Captain was asked to move or hold the body by a detective or medical examiner so pictures could be taken for evidence reasons... who knows.

I wouldn't really say this article is very reliable, especially since the title says "Dumbass Fire Chief...." and the body of the article says he's a Captain.

- Turk II

[eaglejoe68]

Here is a link to the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis that carried the story:
http://www.kare11.com/news-article.html?NEWS_ID=24610

It says the firefighter resigned. Good riddance.

[jdm2267]

Fire Eater 07

We pose at fires and wrecks..in fact we just did...sitting at a burnt kitchen table holding smoked stained wine glasses with nothing but a burnt out kitchen and living room.....but not a body...thats just poor judgement

Personally, I feel your poses are in bad taste, too. Not as offensive as with a body, but still not appropriate. I wouldn't want you in my destroyed house finding humor in sitting at my table. People's property should be respected. Many dreams, hopes, and memories have just gone up in flames.

[JoeMZ191]

I have to disagree with the majority. I'd give an adminstrative reprimand. We as firefighters often relieve stress by doing or saying what would be considered inappropriate by the general public. We had three house fires a week before Christmas a few years ago. All families with kids, all had pets die, all had presents ruined. No injuries or deaths. Somtimes you do something stupid just to break the tension.
The big question which has yet been answered, how did the family find out about this indiscretion? I've joked with Police and M.E.s before. Never within earshot of the public and never with pictures or video. If the PD took crime scene photos, why did they take that particular picture instead of having a private laugh with the guys, why was that picture not destroyed, and why was it ever seen by more than one police officer.

If this guy did resign, I hope he tries to be reinstated. In relation to firefighters who commit arson, respond while under the influence, or partake in various other felonies, this is way down on the list.

Dissenting opinions are welcome and encouraged. You guys who said he should be executed without hearing his side, back it up.

Joe

[DFD FF]

We had three house fires a week before Christmas a few years ago. All families with kids, all had pets die, all had presents ruined. No injuries or deaths. Somtimes you do something stupid just to break the tension.


I don't understand this point. Did you take pictures with the deceased pets or destroyed toys? Or did you make jokes about the families having Fido for Christmas dinner? I don't know what you did, but what that Minneapolis captain did was indefensible. I don't buy the argument about needing to relieve tension. We're just providing a service for the citizens; the people whose houses have burned -- and, in some cases, whose cherished pets have perished -- are the ones with tension. PROFESSIONALISM. If we put ourselves in the victims' shoes, nothing seems very funny.

[ 08-26-2001: Message edited by: DFD FF ]

[Firebear230]

Sure we deal with the grim side of our profession with some "twisted" humor. I've made some crude jokes, but, never where the victim or public could hear. I think that individual's actions hurt all of us. I think the cop should be held accountable also. True, I haven't heard the other side of this story, but, I can't really think of any reasonable excuse for what happened.

[weir33]

Its True we see things in one call that most people dont have to deal ith in a whole life time. The ability to talk to each other is sometimes our only release.This instance should not be confused in anyway with nornal behavour, who else was there and said nothing or did not speak up or just plain not distroy the f--king camera. The weigh of the responsiblity falls on all of our sholders to stop this kind of behavior before it happens.

[JoeMZ191]

I wasn't very clear in my last post. We see tragedies every day. I for one have made comments or done things that would probably get me shot if a family member heard or saw it. Although this guy definitely didn't use good judgement, did he do this thinking no one would ever see it besides those present? HOW on earth did a family member end up with this picture?

[bgfdchick]

I read about this somewhere some time ago...possibly on Firehouse.com. So, Turk, this story has been published from reputable sources in the past.

Firefighters will research and try to protect their own before firing them. If this was a questionable evidence photo, I'm sure that was looked into. However, if this firefighter is all but spooning with a charred body, it seems obviously NOT an evidence photo.

Pretty sick. If this is a "stress reliever" - try working out, or playing golf. Don't spit in the face of victims and thier families.

[DKelly]

Most of us make crude jokes or coments about calls at times during our careers, around the station or in the rigs..but in PRIVATE. For those of you who think it's ok to pull this crap in public I have a simple solution... Keep your f'in mouths shut and change your habits, or I hope the next time you feel like making a smart *** comment or gesture in front of the public, it's your house or family your making the joke about.

just my very ****ed-off 2 cents worth.

[ 08-26-2001: Message edited by: D Kelly ]