Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by T.J. on January 4, 2009 at 1:36pm

I'm guessing you sound like a Pro Tommy, you'd know wouldnt you:)

Permalink Reply by turk182 on January 4, 2009 at 1:54pm

I think it runs along the same line if you cannot have a picture or poster on the wall because it is inappropriate then how is it any different for people to be dressed like it at calls and training. Male or female there is a right way to dress when in the public eye.

Permalink Reply by T.J. on January 4, 2009 at 2:02pm

LOL............ Romper Rooms:)

Permalink Reply by joe on January 4, 2009 at 2:17pm

the fire house i belong to has none , and i belive that if memeber wants to look at or watch it thats fine , but if there is female memeber in the company then they need to be care. and also you need to remeber that alot of the building you are in are also city building or have some control over them, this being the case you will also have the building open to the public and to the members family of the fire house. so my advice would be not have or allow in the station, also it would open you and the city or thr incorpation up for a sexual harssment suit

Permalink Reply by FETC on January 4, 2009 at 3:41pm

Ahhh Philly, I love your overview of what others feel we should be doing...

For those of you who are saying, "It is totally subjective to what one person feels is inappropriate." Sorry but that excuse is not a defense (even with a union lawyer present) and you will lose. Just because you feel it is OK means nothing. Let me tell you the porn issue, mainstream wise is just about to EXPLODE and this is far bigger than just a playboy magazine.

How many on FFN have a city policy that includes, inappropriate use of the city's computer system for the internet and/or the email system? Regarding specific verbage to ANY and ALL non-departmental business.

Until you have a brother get dismissed from his job and many guys (and I mean many) get seriously disciplined or demoted over the newest medium of porn, meaning the wonderful use of the FREE internet, then you will have a new respect on what is subjective to interpretation. Try going home an explaining to the wife and your kids daddy doesn't have a job anymore...

What were they looking for, illegal activity in which is not only jepoardizing your employment but may be criminal as well...

The verbage in our new policy states: non-business related use of the city computer system which covers porn, non-porn pictures, word jokes, private or third party business work, (working on your side job or website) online shopping, and much more. All of which is non-department related business.

All of which is being done on a regular basis at EVERY job in the world with internet access. It is currently the number 1 loss time / loss production issue in mainstream industry.

Permalink Reply by mike on January 4, 2009 at 5:14pm

im not complainin about it. i was just suprised that there were still fire houses with porn in them since there are more female fire fighters around now.

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 4, 2009 at 7:15pm

Philly,

That subjectivity was exactly my point.

Fire department rules and policies are almost impossible to either define accurately or to enforce when they're subjective. Subjective policies (on a limitless number of topics) can create grievance and legal system problems for the department/municipality, too.

I'd hate to be the one that had to write the objective definition of porn for a department policy, but you can bet that my first bullet would include the statement "If the magazine, web site, etc. advertises itself as pornography, then the department defines it as pornography"

That won't prevent every problem, but it should significantly reduce the number of complaints and disciplinary issues the department will have to deal with.

"What is good firefighting strategy and tactics?", "Should you use booster lines on car fires?", "What is the best EMS delivery model?", and "How do you define porn?" can all be answered equally well by Justice Stewart's quote.

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 4, 2009 at 7:16pm

...so would most month's edition of Maxim several other magazines that can be purchased at your local grocery store.

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 4, 2009 at 7:20pm

How about the department getting software to block inappropriate web sites instead of ignoring the fact that we live in an information-based society?

Permalink Reply by Dave on January 4, 2009 at 7:37pm

That will be a very sad day!!

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 4, 2009 at 11:27pm

If the female sees a porn mag in a fire station, she has every right to file a complaint.
The public has every right to expect professionalism from the fire department they fund.
It's quite possible that she would see funding firefighters to view porn on duty as the real waste of taxpayers money...and she'd be right.

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 4, 2009 at 11:36pm

What part of "the public doesn't pay us to look at porn on duty" did you miss?
We have an obligation to look and act in a professional manner at all times when on duty or when in the station. Porn doesn't fit into the definition of "professional".

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