Report Shows Fire Service's Dark Side

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Report Shows Fire Service's Dark Side

Says it may be time to adopt a code of ethics.

By Susan Nicol Kyle

Firehouse.com News

Posted: Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:23

Firefighters charged with setting fires, cheating scandals, thefts of fire department funds and equipment, responding to incidents after drinking alcoholic beverages, harassment and discrimination.

With these incidents occurring in fire departments across the nation, it may be time to adopt a code of ethics, according to the Fire Service Reputation Management White Paper released Tuesday morning.

"The nation's fire service has long been held in justifiably high esteem. This reputation has been hard earned. The fire service is that 'rock of stability to which the public knows to turn during the upheaval of a crisis -- be that crisis a dwelling fire, rescue, natural disaster, or medical emergency," according to the document.

http://www.firehouse.com/topics/top-headlines/report-highlights-fire-services-darker-side