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Comment by Brian Dumser on July 9, 2008 at 4:54pm

I have to agree. The issue of her inappropriate behavior is not that she was in a gay pride parade, but that she displayed her official credentials while in the parade. It would be the same as if you or I went to your city's St. Patrick's day parade dressed like leprechans and displayed our badges without authorization from the F.D. Administration.

Comment by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on July 9, 2008 at 3:48pm

"The point I'm making though, does it in anyway reflect on their capability to do their job? No. Should we be nervous as Michael suggests? No. Does it make a difference if they're gay? No." lutan1

Nope, I'm not kidding here lutan1. I'm not sure where you work, but most departments with the exception of San Francisco perhaps... does not tolerate this type of behavior. When voters go to the polls and vote for whether or not I get a raise or not, I don't want them to be thinking about something they heard or saw that was obviously inappropriate behavior on the part of a public safety official. When fire departments are lobbying so hard to get a share of the pie, having our folks provide this type of message doesn't do anyone any good. Again, look at the picture, not only is she topless but she is displaying official fire department identification with a sign and a badge. Would you be willing to be her union representative in the event that her department took actions against her behavior? Sure would love to hear your argument here. And to bring up the gay card, I am insulted that you would even bring that into the discussion here. I didn't. It doesn't matter whether you are gay or straight.

Every company officer in my state are required to go through intensive affirmative action training which includes dealing with these situations. Talk to your union rep or anyone with a hint of legal background. There is language in all of our hiring rules that keep us accountable on or OFF duty. This is part of being a professional firefighter. It's part of the job and both you and I know that what this woman did was inappropriate and an embarrassment for the fire service.

Comment by Brian Dumser on July 8, 2008 at 6:04pm

Definitely against our policy on my dept.

Comment by FireCat on July 8, 2008 at 6:03pm

I agree theres been poor decisions and judgments on the fire scene however, her decision to wear her badge and put a sign on the front of her bike displaying her department's name was inappropriate and shows a lack of respect...just my 2 cents worth.

Cat :o)

Comment by lutan1 on July 8, 2008 at 5:47pm

you're right, but micahel said he'd be nervious having this person on shift with him because she has shown a lack of judgement by doing this.

There's no doubt there's a nissue with the lack of permission, but it's still not a reflection of her capabilities and there's absolutely nothing to nervous about...

Comment by FireCat on July 8, 2008 at 5:37pm

Lutan1 -

It's not a matter if she is gay, naked, topless, or whatever, you are not suppose to wear your badge to promote any personal agenda without permission. I do agree with you that there are allot of serious issues that need to be addressed.

Cat :o)

Comment by lutan1 on July 8, 2008 at 5:14pm

http://www.picturesystems.com/eventpix2/displayphoto.cfm?rollnumber=32528&inum=176519&FrameNumber=44&index=44&eventid=483&subeventid=2375

http://www.picturesystems.com/eventpix2/displayphoto.cfm?rollnumber=32528&inum=176520&FrameNumber=45&index=45&eventid=483&subeventid=2375

http://www.picturesystems.com/eventpix2/displayphoto.cfm?rollnumber=32528&inum=176521&FrameNumber=46&index=46&eventid=483&subeventid=2375

http://www.picturesystems.com/eventpix2/displayphoto.cfm?rollnumber=32528&inum=176517&FrameNumber=42&index=42&eventid=483&subeventid=2375

http://www.picturesystems.com/eventpix2/displayphoto.cfm?rollnumber=32528&inum=176518&FrameNumber=43&index=43&eventid=483&subeventid=2375

Comment by lutan1 on July 8, 2008 at 5:13pm

Check out the links below- these are a series of photos taken from last years Gay Pride March.

They show a huge number of active duty Poliuce Officers, in full uniform, marching in the parade.

Now this was not without it's controverys amongst many people, but it was sanctioned by force command as being OK to do.

The point I'm making though, does it in anyway reflect on their capability to do their job? No. Should we be nervous as Michael suggests? No. Does it make a difference if they're gay? No.

Comment by lutan1 on July 8, 2008 at 4:59pm

This lapse of appropriate judgement would make me nervous about having her on my engine company. Our job is not a joke and should be held in the highest degree of respect.
You're kidding me?

She's marched in a parade with her badge and some sort of sign is in NO WAY a reflection of her firefighting capability. What's to be nervous about?

Sure there's the issue of perhpas not having permission to do so, but that is a totally different and seperate issue.

Look around this website, Firehouse and YouTube and there's a million (literally!) other examples of piss poor decision making and judgment issues on the the fire scene (or en route) that reuqire far more attention than this one. We're killing ourselves and the public with our driving, we're killing ourselves with our lack of PPE, we're killing oursleves with outdated training- shall I go on?

Comment by FireCat on July 8, 2008 at 4:43pm

Michael -

Well said!

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