EMMITSBURG, Md. — The National Society of Executive Fire Officers and the Congressional Fire Service Institute issued a firefighter code of ethics. The code is the culmination of two years of work and will be included with the National Fire Academy’s course material.
The goal of the 15-point code is to “mitigate and negate situations that may result in embarrassment and waning of public support for what has historically been a highly respected profession.”
Much of the code is subject to interpretation. For example many warn against bringing embarrassment upon the fire service or department — of course, what embarrasses one department may not embarrass another.
The code does take on some age-old problems, such as accepting money, gifts, favors or other benefits that are acquired by virtue of being a firefighter. It also warns against divulging information learned while serving the public.
It goes beyond on-the-job ethics and requires firefighters to conduct their personal lives in a way that does not bring disgrace to the profession.
And, it hits on the emerging issue of how firefighters should behave when using social media. It calls for the firefighter to not only behave responsibly in the digital world, but to report those who do not behave so, as failure to report it is the same as condoning it.
Below are the 15 code of ethics points. The two-page code can be downloaded from the U.S. Fire Administration’s web site.
- Always conduct myself, on and off duty, in a manner that reflects positively on myself, my department and the fire service in general.
- Accept responsibility for my actions and for the consequences of my actions.
- Support the concept of fairness and the value of diverse thoughts and opinions.
- Avoid situations that would adversely affect the credibility or public perception of the fire service profession.
- Be truthful and honest at all times and report instances of cheating or other dishonest acts that compromise the integrity of the fire service.
- Conduct my personal affairs in a manner that does not improperly influence the performance of my duties, or bring discredit to my organization.
- Be respectful and conscious of each member’s safety and welfare.
- Recognize that I serve in a position of public trust that requires stewardship in the honest and efficient use of publicly owned resources, including uniforms, facilities, vehicles and equipment and that these are protected from misuse and theft.
- Exercise professionalism, competence, respect and loyalty in the performance of my duties and use information, confidential or otherwise, gained by virtue of my position, only to benefit those I am entrusted to serve.
- Avoid financial investments, outside employment, outside business interests or activities that conflict with or are enhanced by my official position or have the potential to create the perception of impropriety.
- Never propose or accept personal rewards, special privileges, benefits, advancement, honors or gifts that may create a conflict of interest, or the appearance thereof.
- Never engage in activities involving alcohol or other substance use or abuse that can impair my mental state or the performance of my duties and compromise safety.
- Never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual preference, medical condition or handicap.
- Never harass, intimidate or threaten fellow members of the service or the public and stop or report the actions of other firefighters who engage in such behaviors.
- Responsibly use social networking, electronic communications, or other media technology opportunities in a manner that does not discredit, dishonor or embarrass my organization, the fire service and the public. I also understand that failure to resolve or report inappropriate use of this media equates to condoning this behavior.