What Not To Wear....... Firefighter Edition

Recently there has been some controversy over a group of Washington D.C. firefighters appearing with President Obama to illustrate the impact that sequestration (forced spending cuts) would have on emergency services.  While their heart may have been in the right place their actions, more particularly their outfits, were inappropriate.

Why it was not ethical

I feel that since these firefighters were wearing their department issued uniforms, it was inappropriate and ethically wrong to show support for something as politically divisive as the sequestration debate.  All politics and other potentially controversial issues should be avoided when representing a public employer because the public is composed of many different viewpoints.  Remaining neutral on politics or other controversial issues helps assure citizens there is no bias or corruption in these professions that serve the public. 

When those firefighters put on their uniforms they are representing the city of Washington D.C and should not be giving the impression that an entire department or city for that matter holds the same opinion.  It would not be ethical for any public employee whether it is a teacher, police officer, or garbage truck driver to be making political statements while in uniform.  Can you imagine if they had shown up at a pro or anti gun control rally?  That would be highly unethical, and so was supporting the president in this partisan debate.

The other side of the story

These firefighters and their supporters will argue that they are individuals and allowed to have their own opinions on subjects such as these.  I agree they should be able to support this cause, but the firefighters should be dressed in street clothes or their fire department union apparel.  Every firefighter is an individual and should be able to personally support any political party, movement, or position they see fit.  The problem with wearing a department uniform while doing this is that you give the impression that an entire group or department that is supposed to serve the public is picking sides on political issues.

These firefighters will also argue that the president was just using them to showcase how emergency services could possibly be cut by sequestration and that they were not "taking sides" or playing politics.  I feel this isn't the case because as soon as you stand behind one side or the other you are showing your support or at least giving the appearance of support for one sides politics over the other.

How to fix it

I think the best way for the Washington D.C Fire Department to handle the situation is to make everyone aware that it is unethical for any member to make political appearances in their department uniform.  I don't think any discipline for the firefighters who chose to stand behind the president is necessary, but they should be made aware that it is possible in the future if a similar circumstance arises.  In the future all political activities should be handled through their union.  In fact when the white house originally contacted these firefighters, it was through their union and not through the actual fire department.  Unions are very politically active and are able to throw their support behind political candidates without the conflict of interest that comes with a government run departments supporting or appearing to support a political candidate or political stance (such as the president's opinion on the sequestration debate).   Informing the public of political issues as a member of a union is much different than doing it as a public employee.....and far more ethical.


References:

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-23/local/37249252_1_first-responders-fire-department-firefighters