EMTSPACE

[Just Plain Ruff]

I have nearly a blank screen I have some friends but not many.

[Christopher.Collins]

SEEN IT ALL? Just when you thought nothing could surprise you

A friend who's a fire chief in a West Coast city called me, saying, "I thought I had seen it all untill... ." As he started to tell the story I thought I had heard it before - but not quite like this.

A battalion chief had come into the chief's office, also saying, "I thought I had seen it all untill... ." One of his firefighters had claimed another crew member was posing nude on a match-making web site and that everybody who solicited dates on the site was fully nude in their pictures. When the chief officer asked how he knew about it, the firefighter was quick to dispel the suspicion he was searching porn sites, explaining that he had heard about it from a nurse at a recieving hospital and then checked the site. The firefighter reporting this claim had also told others and the rumor set off alarm bells throughout the station and the entire department.

The battalion chief reported the claim to the fire chief, who, along with the battalion chief visited the alleged porn site and confirmed the rumor.

How have I heard this before? Several years ago, a volunteer fire chief in Florida posted pictures of himself on a dating website, wearing his uniform shirt but nothing from the waist down. The fire chief who oversaw all the volunteer fire departments in the county brought the involved chief up on charges under the auspices of rules and regulations of the county fire department.

Facing disciplinary action, the volunteer fire chief resigned. Five months later, he was back with the department but with the new title of president and (self-dubbed) "administrative chief. The county fire chief issued a "cease and desist" letter to him, but he refused, saying posting photos of himself was not illefal and, in his opinion, not immoral.

EXPECT IT

These cases are clear examples of the challenges of EMS managers can face when they think they've "seen it all." Presented with this kind of scenario, many questions naturally come to mind: Are your employees entitled to solicit mates via the web site? Do the facts that the web site is sexual in nature and users are nude change the equation? What if they posted their profile on a more conventional match-making web site, like the one thats regularly advertised on TV? Would your response be different?

Answering these questions helps you seperate your own morality from the ethical standards set by your agency. With each posibility considered, you can move forward to address the situation.

First, you have to consider whether an employee violated any rules or regulations by participating on a match-making site. Possibly, your agency has a rule that an employee's conduct shall not be unbecoming on or off duty. Other "catch-all" organizational rules I've seen stipulate an employee is to always maintain the public confidence by their actions on and off the job. If you have these rules, you must determine if participating on a match-making site that allows nudity is "unbecoming" or jepardizes the confidence of the public.

But what if your organization has no rules governing an employee's actions off the job? Can you even consider any charges against the employees?

One of your first actions should be to get written statements from the employees involved. These statements are necessary parts of the investigative process. You should also speak with your agency or city attorney, who can advise whether any department rules have been violated.

Its important not to jump to conclusions or make a quick judgement. You're not commanding a milti-casualty event that requires split-second decision-making; you have discretionary time. Use that time and make sure you have all the facts before making a decision.

Conclusion

In the case of the firefighter who was advertising himself on a pornographic web site, his department determined his actions were "unbecoming" and took disciplinary action against him. The other department that reinstated the fire chief was eventually decertified as a county response entity (with no reported connection to the fire chiefs conduct).

Both cases highlight the need for a careful balance between the rights of your employees and the rules of your organization. Thoughtful decision-making with legal counsel will help you render a fair descision.

Nothing seems to surpise me anymore, and I'm cautious to say, "I thought I had seen it all untill... ." Whenever you get to that point, it seems something else happens that will amaze you.

Gary Ludwig

JEMS August 2008 "Leadership Sector" pg 32

[Christopher.Collins]

In regards to my profile... no myspace here. I have a facebook, it has some flair to it but nothing fancy... you cant go over the top on that site like you can myspace. I DO NOT adress my occupation nor agencies I am affiliated with, even though it is a private profile and the only people that can view it I know personally. I used to put that info up there, back in my stupid rookie days... but from seeing first hand the trouble it can cause, I stopped.

Ive seen things happen like Mr. Ludwig describes... it causes serious trouble. And the instances that I know of, the department did not have any implimented polocy for off duty personel.

[Ridryder 911]

There is a far cry from my space, Internet dating and then posting self or any porn. Unfortunately, people attempt to want to cross the line and dare others to challenge it. Once again we demonstrate how unprofessional this so called profession is.

I doubt there are many states with "conduct and professional standards" alike many of the true professions have (attorneys, physicians, engineers, and yes even nurses).

What people do on their day off is their business as long as it does not will not embarrass or display poor moral conduct. There was no reason to wear the Chief shirt.. and obviously he is a whacker in more than one way. Too bad our profession cannot literally "boot" him out. This was more than an EKG background or a few pics of EMS units and should not even be considered the same.

R/ r 911

[Christopher.Collins]

What people do on their day off is their business as long as it does not will not embarrass or display poor moral conduct.

I agree with you on that... but what if a member had a profile (be it myspace or even a non-pornographic dating site) and they identify the company they work with, as well as make it accessable to the public? Does that in any way demonstrate unbecoming? Sure we are all humans and entitled to our personal lives... but is there a point where even tasteful can be harmful in our proffesional lives?

[Richard B the EMT]

A paramedic from my station had a personal ad in a gay magazine (someone who was openly gay but committed to his own life-partner brought it in), showing himself nude from the waist down. He was wearing a t-shirt clearly identifying the agency! Best believe he caught flack from the rest of the station, and official sanction from the chiefs, for "Conduct Unbecoming"!

[Ridryder 911]

I agree with you on that... but what if a member had a profile (be it myspace or even a non-pornographic dating site) and they identify the company they work with, as well as make it accessable to the public? Does that in any way demonstrate unbecoming? Sure we are all humans and entitled to our personal lives... but is there a point where even tasteful can be harmful in our proffesional lives?

You are very right. For example; I personally have some pics of friends and even a few scene pics (no patient data-even changed the vehicle color) along with some add ons of the usual EMS and RN glitter. By doing so, I have met and chatted with other Paramedics and RN's. In fact was able to be contacted by a fellow Paramedic graduate of my program I had not heard from in 27+ years (yes, remarkably we all are still some form of EMS still after > 27 yrs.)

Now, the bad side effect is I have seen medics making obscene gestures wearing companies uniform and even describing F.U. (you get the hint) to a Director. Of course, things get around and how would you expect them to feel? I as well as many administrators and boards feel that if you are wearing insignia, uniforms; you are representing the company, school, institution .. on duty or not. The moment one wears and displays the insignia, badge, patch, etc.. with that company, cities, state, whatever.. they are no longer just representing themselves but the company, employees, administration and even the patrons of the service.

So yes, everything that displays or that demonstrates that you are associated with a particular agency is fair game to their advantage. If you want personal freedom to be unprofessional, poor conduct and low moral stance.. You are welcomed to on your time, without any mention of your association or mention of that companies name.

It is not that hard to determine what is right or wrong. People know the difference; they are not stupid; rather they love to challenge to be different and be noticed. If you know that your administration would disagree or see harm in it.. then it is a high possibility that it is wrong.

R/r 911

[EMS49393]

I have a myspace, and it has nothing to do with my job. I use it to keep in contact with friends from my home state, and other places I have lived. My occupation does not define me.

[HellsBells]

I agree totally with ridryder. There is no reason whatsoever to associate the agency one works for with personal solicitations online. I for one can't imagine why anyone would want to post nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves online (unless they are porn stars, and getting paid for it) where anybody could stumble on them. I would be mortified if I came to work and was informed that my peers discovered my "uniform shirt only" pic that I posted on Imawhacker.com.

Moreover, it gives the whole agency a bad name. I know that if I stumbled on a provocative picture of someone wearing a certain uniform I would have a very low opinion of that service and wonder about the competency of their staff.

[mrsbull]

http://www.myparamedicspace.com/

http://www.theredpulse.com/

Here