Another Chance?
Is there a place in the fire and emergency services for past criminal offenders?
Last week I received a telephone call from a potential new client complaining that he felt wrongly denied an opportunity to serve as a volunteer firefighter. Bob (not his real name) stated that previously he had been a career member but had pled guilty for theft and was fired from another department several years ago. He was just about to conclude his probationary sentence, would shortly have paid his debt to society and believed he should not now be discriminated against because of his past conduct.
Bob wanted me to present his case before the fire department board and insist that he should be given a second chance because he had made amends for his past criminal behavior and wanted to further offer his professional firefighting experience as a volunteer.
During our conversation it was immediately apparent why Bob’s request was met with resounding resistance by the fire department. While repaying a debt to society for past indiscretions with jail time, a fine, and perhaps the passage of time with good behavior may be all that is required by the judicial system, fire and EMS services might not be so anxious to have personnel within their ranks convicted of offenses involving theft, violent or immoral behavior. The feeling is that departments must operate without knowingly putting assets at risk and their image to the community must avoid even the appearance of compromising the trust that is inherently given in the performance of their duties.
When we enter structures for salvage and overhaul should the homeowner, in addition to being distraught over the damage, be concerned about theft of personal property as well? In EMS transport situations, should the patient, in addition to being anxious about immediate treatment, also need to worry about theft of money or jewelry by responding personnel?
SOPs should be properly drafted to address a department’s position on this issue. But should the professed remorse and desire of a convicted member to volunteer his services in a profession in which he his fully trained and truly loves be offered another chance to participate? If not suppression, would such an individual qualify for support or an auxiliary role for the department?
