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Comment by Tony P on March 31, 2008 at 6:02am

OK guys - I know I'm a bit late with this. But so what!

What a thing to happen. Too many people 'jokingly' call us arsonists anyway, and when one of the team let's us all down? Nasty. But about this innocent until proven guilty bit. Didn't the report say that they'd both admitted guilt? Here that means that all the court case has to do is decide on the penalty. Therefore guilty and so can be removed from the books. If the news article is correct.

Criminal checks are mandatory here. We're a State-wide service, but you have to have another police check even if you change from one Station to another. (Didn't you know that Lutan?) Psych testing is another thing, and it can never be definitive. I don't really see any value in it.

Comment by Mike Simmons on March 3, 2008 at 1:48pm

Right on all counts, gentlemen. In all likelihood the citizens won't allow this to color their view of the FD, but u never know.
I've lived in W. Tx about 10yrs (orig from D/FW area), but Oldman's right; They're pretty tight here. Not much different from my hometown of Boyd, Tx.
Were I chief, I'd get 'em all together & let 'em vent within the confines of the firehall. I'd remind 'em to refer everything to me & I'll take the heat.
Like Lutan1 said, I'd have a statement prepared letting the public know the dept has/is & always will be cooperating with law enforcement on this & the members in question are suspended pending results of the investigation. I would also be sure to point out that the other members are honest, trustworthy & dedicated to protecting the community & its citizens.
Back to the members: As chief I'd make damn sure they still have my full confidence & respect. I'd remind them that they may be called to testify for/against their (former) friends & strongly emphasize they are not to discuss the case, even among themselves, or compare notes as this could jeopardize the case in either direction unless & until cleared to do so by the DA & myself.
Finally, I neglected to point out that they are innocent until proven otherwise (thanks for reminding me, this is America after all).

Comment by Oldman on March 3, 2008 at 11:14am

It never looks good on any department career or volunteer, (and yes career firefighters are charged and convicted with arson). But lets remember one thing. These two have been charged, not convicted of an offense. Unless the Constitution has been changed, (which one never knows), one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As an administrative officer, I would immediately suspend the members/employees pending the outcome of a trial. If found guilty, they would most definitely be terminated without recourse. When dealing with any media or the public, it needs to be spelled out to the membership/staff to refer any and all questions to the Chief or designated PIO, and anyone making statements without proper authority will be terminated. As one who used to be a news director for a small town radio station, and as a current PIO, I can tell you the media can be relentless when trying to get answers, and even the phrase "no comment" can and will be used against you, plus you never know who in public may be listening.

As far as background checks go, if the person has never been charged, it wont show up. Psych evals? We all have to be a little throwed off to be in this business anyway, but research indicates that firefighter arson is initially a spur of the moment action, but eventually increases in the severity of the fires if they are not caught. I have overheard comments around the firehouse of wishing we would make a fire. My response is always the same, when we make a fire, someone is loosing something. It may only be a cotton module, or a grass pasture, but it is costing someone thousands, for the loss in revenue.
Little towns like Ropesville, Welman, or New Home are usually tight, and while there will be initial feelings of betrayal, I don't see them trashing or abandoning the entire department. Sure, the remaining members will have to be on their best behavior for a while, but thats what I love about those small rural Texas towns, they usually forgive. Of course a lot may have changed in the 20 + years I've been gone.

Comment by lutan1 on March 2, 2008 at 6:12pm

There's been in years gone by a spate of these here in Oz, naormally when a station is threatened with closure due to low call numbers.

I don't know the answer. Many here scream ofr compulsory criminal record checks but they're only good if you've been caught.

Is psych testing the ay to go? Don't know, and it'd probably eliminate half of us out anyway!!!!

In terms of your question about rebuilding trust- what a mammoth task that is. It'd hurt hard and fast.

For me (If I was the Chief), I'd be going public as quickly as possible admitting the issue has occurred and that the members are no longer members (Nor ever will be) and that they're facing charges. I'd also go on to highlight changes that have been made in recruitment and training (Even if there isn't much you can do to weed out these issues, I'd be pushing this barrow pretty hard cause that's what the public want to hear).

In terms of the other members, I'd definitely be pushing for media management training so as they know how to handle the media. I'd also be pushing "the company line" so as everyone is talking from the same book when and if they're questioned by the media and the public.

I'd also be laying down the law about what is acceptable and non acceptabvle to say, especiually when in public (around the local bar, etc). Again, the public don't need to be hearing all sorts of stuff about these guys....