Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The Spokane Fire Department is reviewing an investigative report into allegations of hazing and bullying of probationary employees at one of their fire stations. The investigation was conducted by the city’s Human Resource department who interviewed 30 members.
Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer is now reviewing the report and will have to decide whether to take disciplinary action against those involved. The concerns were brought to light by a lieutenant who reported that the “culture at Station 2 creates an unhealthy atmosphere for probationary employees and members of Station 2 take pride in bullying probationary employees.”
The 40-page report recommends disciplinary hearings for five members and training for all members. More on the story.
Today’s story breaks on the heels of another hazing-related lawsuit in FDNY, which was covered yesterday. Hazing, harassment and bullying are one of the 10 High Risk Policy Areas that account for 75% of fire service litigation. And as Gordon Graham from Lexipol says, if it’s Predictable, it’s Preventable.
