WASHINGTON — A D.C. firefighter was relieved of duty after refusing to “soft post” in a neighborhood.
NBC Washington reported that the “soft postings” order was issued by D.C.’s deputy mayor for public safety, who ordered firefighters act as crime deterrents during late night hours.
Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe said two firefighters refused the assignment, one of whom was relieved of duty, according to the report.
“That is insubordination,” Chief Ellerbe said. “He was disruptive and disrespectful.”
Fire and police union leaders have criticized the program, calling it a risk and a liability, according to the report.
“What they’ve been asked to do is man their apparatus in a neighborhood, rather than in a firehouse, to increase visual presence where we’ve seen recent violence,” D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie explained in December.
Ed Smith, head of D.C.'s Fire Fighters Union 36, said firefighters are not trained to respond to crimes and are in jeopardy when placed in high crime areas.