BANGOR, Pa. — A Pennsylvania firefighter may face discipline for wearing fire department equipment in a dating website photo.
Liberty Fire Company No. 2 volunteer Firefighter Ernest Hase III, based in Bangor, posted a picture of himself wearing a firefighter helmet while topless with the word “PLUGGER” written across his chest in red.
The profile on dating site Fubar.com was accessible to all visitors earlier, but later restricted to permission-only access, according to the Express-Times.
The photo is one of several that violate the volunteer department’s policies to use any department-issued gear for anything other than department business, according to Liberty’s fire chief.
Several photos posted online also included Firefighter Hase III wearing his firefighting pants, with at least two showing the fly folded open and underwear exposed.
Other photos were from fire department events and responses, and depicted the Bangor Fire Department banner and the company’s emblem prominently on the page.
In a written statement, Bangor Fire Chief Robert Owens said, “The Bangor Fire Department issues personal protective gear for the use of our firefighters during an emergency situation.
“The gear is to be used only for that purpose and the use of the gear as depicted in these photos is in violation of the policies of the department.
“This matter will be addressed by a disciplinary committee, as is our standard procedure for such policy violations.”
The fire department was made aware of the photos when a woman who allegedly began a relationship with Hase III identified him after she discovered he was also communicating with other women through the dating site.