JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Fla. fire department is cracking down on firefighter behavior outside the firehouse after some ‘risqué’ photos emerged from a fundraiser.
Six off-duty firefighters at Jacksonville Fire and Rescue were reprimanded after photos emerged from the event – held to raise money for a fallen brother – showing them in various states of undress while in turnout gear.
Fire Chief Marty Senterfitt vowed Tuesday to take a stricter stance and create clear boundaries on firefighter behavior, according to the Florida Times-Union.
“I’m not going to allow anybody to go out there and do anything that resembles stripping, Chief Senterfitt said.
Firefighters were reprimanded for wearing city-issued gear while off-duty and consuming alcohol at the Aug. 2 event. The firefighters also did not receive permission for the benefit event.
Any future events with a firefighter performance will require prior review by the mayor’s office, according to the article.
Jacksonville Firefighter Union President Randy Wyse told the Florida Times-Union that the firefighters did nothing wrong and did not break the law, but admitted they acted poorly.
These new restrictions would apply to the Southern Women’s Show in October, an annual event that includes a provocative firefighter performance to raise money for charity.
Chief Senterfitt said it is possible that after review, the firefighters may not be allowed to participate in the show at all; if they are allowed, very specific guidelines and structures would be put in place.