So I learned yesterday that the DC Fire and "EMS" Trial Board scheduled to convene this week is continuing the lack of transparency and has decided to work...in secret.
Are we really surprised?
The Trial Board stated they were doing so for the safety of the firefighters, but the issue that continues to be elusive for DC Fire EMS apparently is the public's safety. You know? The people who you are employed to be protecting.
Once again though, DC Fire seems more interested in trying to taking care of its bottom, than taking care of the rest of us.
It amazes me that this organization could be THIS out of control. The internal report which made its way to the public has all sorts of sordid details, but how do you keep an employee who would not respond to a dying man when asked to? Moreover, how do you keep an employee who chose to lie to investigators "in her initial report"?
Let me say that again, chose to lie. That is no longer an issue of education. It's an issue of ethics. Perhaps after thirty some odd years on the job Lt. Davis had no idea of what to do when someone rings the bell out front. I get it. It happens. That is an issue of education and MAYBE, just MAYBE she wasn't properly trained despite achieving the rank of Lieutenant. That being said, that is an education issue. As soon as she decided to mislead investigators though, that was an ethics issue, and that has zero place in my public safety world.
We all make mistakes, but this is supposed to be an honorable profession. You make a mistake, own up to it. We all do, but when you dishonor yourself, your crew, and your department because you wanted the easy way out to save your skin...I have to help you find the door and in this case, not through your convenient idea to retire.
I believe in public safety protection, but we risk our hides to say others; we don't cover ours.
