A fire chief, a police chief and a politician walk into a bar …. Let’s hope they’re all off duty, that they’re not wearing their uniforms or identifying apparel, that there were no vehicles involved and that no one has a camera.
Now that we’ve covered the precautions, let’s talk about why this matters right now: It’s that season again, and I’m not referring to the holiday season or weather.
As we approach the midterm elections, we’ve seen the political temperature rising for many of our fellow fire service professionals. In just one example, we reported recently on the Ohio fire chief who was fired for political activity and insubordination. This is hardly the first such case, and I lament that it will not be the last.
The First Amendment vs. the public trust
If you’ve followed me for a minute, you know I’m a centrist who has been both a Republican and a Democrat. Not once in any election have I ever voted “party.” I am a policy, results and character-trait voter — maybe that’s why I’ve successfully navigated more than four decades working in very politically and socially diverse states and communities where I’ve served as a public safety official.
On that note — being an “official” — this is a great time to acknowledge that any expectation of privacy or forgiveness is severely muted once you’ve accepted a position of authority. Those are a few of the sacrifices of earning public trust — the expectation that you will show up at the right place, at the right time, with the right people and equipment, to do the right thing, no matter someone else’s political, religious or life-choice beliefs.
I submit to you that unfettered First Amendment protections and public trust are often in direct conflict. In the business of being a public safety official, I’ll choose public trust any day. For example, a fire chief espousing hatred of a particular group will most likely not be trusted by members of said group, as they would deem that a violation of the public trust. It is no different than any fire official setting fires, stealing goods or assaulting others — all violations of public trust. Supporting such causes in any way, openly or covertly, will ultimately result in that same violation of trust. This is simply the reality of the profession. If you don’t like it, then get a job where people don’t care what you say or do — good luck with that!
We’re all in this together
Over the years, I’ve worked with all types of people — I suspect we all have. The challenge of managing all of those personalities, ideologies and simple differences is why “personnel management” is routinely described as the No. 1 time-taker and the least favorite thing supervisors deal with. Still, we are a team that depends on each team member to carry not only their weight but also mine if needed. That’s mostly a physical reality, but also an emotional metaphor. Trust among team members requires the same trust that the public demands of us.
As I say that, I’m not only addressing chiefs but any public safety official, paid or volunteer. Every supervisor is responsible for ensuring that personnel under their charge toe the line, whether in operational prowess or in maintaining public trust in all matters.
Be humble and control what you can control
I find that many situations like the Ohio chief’s stem from a lack of humility and a lack of control. Separating yourself from any argument in the first place might be difficult, but it’s the right thing to do as a public official. Remember, once you’ve risen to a position of authority, the notion or expectation that you can go home and say whatever you want on social media — because you’re “off duty” — is nonsense. Again, you don’t have to like it — it is what it is.
Where a union exists, we must recognize that there will always be a fine line to walk between 501(c)5 union activities that might be protected by lobbying status or some kind of arbitration, and/or the political favors or interference that can come with them. Unions have been known to campaign for candidates under those 501(c)5 protections. Their membership, your firefighters and paramedics, will be the ones placing yard signs and waving placards. If they’re off duty, out of uniform, nonviolent and under the union’s umbrella, you should have little to nothing to say.
You as an individual will likely not be able to control these activities and you must manage professionally through that potential chaos. That’s where my centrist posture has benefited me.
Grandma Jones does not care
Managing the politics is only half the job; the other half is remembering what the public actually expects and deserves from us. So, in all your actions, please remember Grandma Jones — the face of anyone who has ever called or will call 911. Not one time in my 45 years have I heard Grandma Jones call 911 and ask for anything but service. She hasn’t said, “Just send me those Republican firefighters” or “I only want those Democratic medics touching me,” nor has she asked for any specific gender or ethnicity. She does not care. She cares that the right person shows up at the right place, at the right time, with the right people and equipment, and that they will do the right thing — uphold the public trust.
Finally, if you do walk into that bar, please be aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk in with a uniform or your favorite fire department shirt on, and whatever you do, don’t park that Tahoe under the big neon sign that says liquor store, or I’m quite confident I’ll be seeing you on social media.
