Fire Critic An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service
The Houston Fire Department is having a bought of negative news. The Fire Critic has previously posted on the AC being broke at Station 25 and a recruit costing them $500,000 recently.
The latest news is not really news at all. The story from Click2Houston.com (with video) is titled “Apparent HFD Hazing Videos Posted On Internet”. My question is “apparent to who”? If you watch the video til the end you will see that there haven’t been any complaints that this was hazing. If you click on the link above you will also get to see the actions which are under question as being hazing. Unfortunately, the youtube user mfoster84 removed the videos from youtube so I will not be able to show you the raw videos.
Basically, we are talking about minor firehouse hi jinx. Nothing I haven’t heard about happening before and some that I have partaken in. Hazing? The Fire Critic says HELL NO!
This seems like the news channel is trying to exasperate the already stressed department and create more havoc. They will never know what it is like to be a firefighter.
These humorous actions usually build the team while having fun together. Having water dumped on you is part of becoming a member of the team. Once it is done to you, you then partake when the next new guy is brought on.
I noticed the following on Firehouse forums
GeorgeWendtCFI says:
Here’s the big deal…
Discipline.
If the FD has a rule againt ANYTHING, it is a rule that must be obeyed. It doesn’t matter what it is. The rules are there to be obeyed. Period. The FD is a paramilitary organization. If you don’t like it, don’t join.
All other discussion about any -ism starts there.
I could not agree more… Policies have to be followed! Am I missing something? Does the Houston Fire Department have a policy against having fun? Getting wet? Eating cinnamon? Maybe they have a policy against hazing that he is referring to, but this is not hazing.
I noticed this anonymous comment on Statter 911’s coverage of the story:
This behavior has no place in the modern firehouse. Does anyone think that a business or professional office would allow this behavior? What makes us so different. We stress professional training and education to our young people then bring them in and treat them like children. Dont give me the”we need to release stress B.S. if you need that get a massage.
Where the hell does this guy work? In an office? What is a modern firehouse? I heard my Chief use that term once. Are the old ones no good anymore? When was the cut off date? Yes we are professional but we can’t have fun? What a kill joy. I would hate to work for that guy. His attitude sucks. If you aren’t having fun go do something else. Do you really think that all the people working all those other professions in the world don’t have fun at their jobs? Let me guess? You aren’t asked to partake in this fun and in middle school you were the last one picked for dodgeball? Loosen up!
