Thoughts on New Firefighter Nation User Code

Thought I'd share a draft version of the new user code of conduct we're going to be rolling out soon. Feel free to post your comments or contact us directly with feedback (just message us) .

This is part of our ongoing effort to make the site a great destination for BOTH social AND professional networking for fire and rescue.

Thanks!
Dave

FirefighterNation.com User Code

First, the legal mumbo jumbo…

FirefighterNation.com is intended for use by current and former fire, rescue and EMS professionals. Non-emergency service personnel may be subject to review and removal.
Using this site to spam/advertise or solicit members in any way will result in account termination. Commercial companies are welcome to have profiles on the site but please do NOT send unsolicited messages or friend requests to our members. Additionally, any forum posts, blogs or other content uploads that are intended to solicit business, promote offerings, etc. are not permitted.
Posts, blogs and content on your profiles—including photos and video—that contain excessive profanity, nudity, or other types of offensive content, suspicious/spam/phishing links, attempts to get personal information from other users that is not welcome, etc. will be removed. The Webmaster reserves the right to remove such content and users without advance notice.
This is an all-ages site. Keep that in mind when posting content.
Members are encouraged to report issues that affect the reputation and professionalism of the site, as well as any inappropriate or offensive content, by using the Report an Issue link at the bottom of every page.
Any material that is protected by copyright laws including news stories, photos or other materials will be removed if reported/found.

Next, some suggested guidelines for posting content…

Create an accurate, complete profile. Fictional profiles don’t help us grow the community. Feel free to limit your contact information, but organizational affiliations, experience, etc. should be accurate. Also worth nothing, ising your real name helps other users find you more easily.
No personal attacks. Dialog and debate are encouraged, but if you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t say it in writing. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Limit SHOUTING.
Learn. There’s a ton of posts that discuss tactics, training drills, and loads of other information. Contact those posters to learn how you can learn more. Put it in writing for all to read/share. When you write it, we all learn.
Remember that anyone can join the Nation, so members of your organization, even your chief, could be reading what you say.
Share. You’ll feel more of the community if you post too. Share your thoughts, a great fire photo, video of a training drill. Also, invite your fire service colleagues and friends to become members as well. The bigger we get, the more features we can add to the site!
Link, don’t copy. In general, copying a couple paragraphs of a copyrighted story is OK, but anything more than that constitutes infringement. So just link to it instead; it makes your posts shorter and easier to read!
Don’t take offense. This is a community and it’s meant to generate discussion. If someone posts a comment disagreeing with something you’ve posted, look at it as an opportunity to broaden your perspective. Don’t take it personally. Questions that generate debate cause each of us to dig deep and think about the way we do things. Critical thinking is exactly what this community is about.
Think about firefighter safety. Fire service pranks and mishaps can be amusing, but it’s irresponsible to post such content in such a way as to promote unsafe actions by other firefighters. The copycat syndrome is alive and well; let’s not give those with poor judgment even more material to choose from. Think before your post: Is it legal, is it safe and would my department want this posted on the front page?
Respect the fallen. Reserve judgment until the true facts are out in order to respect those who have paid the ultimate price. Comments regarding LODDs and injuries should be respectful and constructive.

Thanks again for helping Firefighter Nation become the great community it has become! We have nearly 35,000 members and many, many more visiting each month.

Be a part of our growth by using the Invite Tool to encourage your co-workers and friends in the fire/rescue service to join the Nation.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Koontz on March 28, 2009 at 11:16am

More common sense spelled out for the masses.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by turk182 on March 28, 2009 at 12:15pm

I think it is a great idea.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Padre Pete on March 28, 2009 at 4:05pm

Arthur, youv'e done it again. Whats left but Amen?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chris Sterling on March 28, 2009 at 5:28pm

I like these guildlines. I thought it might have to be done eventually.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nanny on March 28, 2009 at 6:35pm

I feel that any site needs guidelines. otherwise there would be udder chaos.

Thanks for your posting!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on March 28, 2009 at 11:18pm

Art I agree...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jessica Travis on March 28, 2009 at 11:24pm

common sense is very uncommon......
btw in case you didn't notice--
"nothing, ising your real name helps other users find you more easily. "
i think thats supposed to be using