Watch out, this could be a firing offense: This text-to-movie animation “educates” the public on when not to call 911. It is the type of video that cost a South Carolina firefighter his job. See the story below.
Check out the player to the right for the latest fire & EMS videos from around the country. Just today WUSA9.com‘s Emily Cyr added the story of 911 frequent fliers in Denver (relates well to the spoof video above), the picture of Jesus that some think miraculously survived a fire and video from the Hampton, NH ocean front blaze. There is much more over here – >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Warning! Warning! Warning! This video that got a South Carolina firefighter fired has language that some might find offensive. Now that you have been warned, you can watch it by clicking the image.
LEAD STORY – Firefighter canned over YouTube video: It isn’t just the video you shoot at a fire or in the firehouse that can get you in trouble. Animation can also cost you your job. Most likely you have seen those text-to-movie videos from xtranormal.com (see above) that seem to be very popular with firefighters and others. One created by a South Carolina firefighter and posted on his Facebook page has resulted in his firing. WCSC-TV in Charleston has the dismissal letter issued to Firefighter Jason Brown by Colleton County Fire-Rescue Director Barry McRoy. It says in part, ”You [Brown] displayed poor judgment in producing a derogatory video depicting a member of this department with a physician which is implied to be at Colleton Medical Center.” Brown told a reporter, “There was no malicious attack to anybody involved personally or countywide or any certain department ever.” Read the letter. Watch the story. Read the story.
Ocean front block gone thanks to fire during storm: The Atlantic Coast storm helped drive a fire in Hampton, New Hampshire. It spread from the Surf Hotel to eight or nine other businesses along the ocean. Click here for our coverage.
The keep back 500 feet sign ignored with almost disastrous results: In Washington, DC last night a 14-year-old skateboarder latched onto the rear of Truck 11 as it was leaving a box alarm. It apparently didn’t work exactly how the teen anticipated. The rig ran over his foot. He is in Children’s Hospital with injuries that aren’t life-threatening.
A man and young child were rescued by firefighters from this burning Hyattsville, Maryland apartment building this morning. Both were burned and CPR was being performed. PGFD called two-alarms to handle the fire. Click the image for details and check the video player at the upper right of this page for an interview from the scene.
Firefighter/union president made acting chief over higher ranking officer: One day he is a firefighter and the next day he is chief. In Nahant, Massachusetts a lieutenant is calling it a “bag job” in the move that makes Firefighter Kevin Howard the acting fire chief. Howard had to resign as union president to take the position. Read more.
Two firefighters charged in bar brawl: Three from FDNY turned themselves into police investigating the fight at a firefighter hang out in Brooklyn. Only twoof the firefighters were charged after police identified them on the surveillance video. The dispute started over a spilled drink. Click here for more.
Another off-duty bar brawl leads to suspension: This one is in Frankfort, Kentucky and it took an eight-hour personnel hearing to give a firefighter three months without pay. Brian Olds says he was trying to break up the fight, but the chief says Olds has a past with anger management issues that left him barred from the city’s contracted fitness facility. Here’s more.
Arrest in the Philly sound fire: A man described as so drunk it is amazing he didn’t pass out and die in the fire has now been charged in the blaze we told you about that destroyed the offices of Philadelphia International Records. Investigators say the man has no connection to the legendary recording company that brought us artists like Teddy Pendergrass and Patti LaBelle. Read more.
Firefighter charged in fatal collision: Firefighter Close Calls has the story of a firefighter being charged in a wreck with a fire engine earlier this month that killed a 54-year-old man in Vaughan, Ontario.
Sheriff’s deputy makes grab: In Indiana, the Angola Fire Department is crediting Steuben County Sheriff’s Corporal Chris Emerick with crawling in on his hands and knees armed with a flashlight to rescue a man from a burning home at Jimmerson Lake. Here’s the story.
The Urban Firefighter debuts: I was greatly disappointed when I learned thehousewatch.com was about to handle its last alarm. The writings of Erich Roden have been a favorite of mine. Whether I agree with what Erich has to say or not, I believe he is one of the most talented writers in today’s fire service. It would be easy to be almost condescending and say for a front line firefighter he’s a good writer. No, for a writer he’s a good writer and he makes me look like a hack (which I am). When I discovered Erich was putting his efforts to a new venture I got out of my depression. Continuing his partnership with Ray McCormack, whose articles constantly remind me that firefighting is more an art than a science, they have debuted Urban Firefighter Magazine. It is online. It is free. Check it out. Also, Firegeezer has his view on Urban Firefighter.
Also on STATter911 …
- Quick Takes – April 21, 2010
- Quick Takes – March 19, 2010
- Wind-swept fire damages 7 buildings in Ocean Grove, NJ. Historic Inn destroyed during fire in middle of storm. – March 14, 2010
- UPDATED with new details. Must see video from Baltimore close call. Firefighters caught as fireball comes out front and rear of rowhouse. Five hurt in smoke explosion event. – January 15, 2010
Dave,
I ran Fireman Mike a few months back at the Happy Medic because it was so truthful in it’s presentation. the firing video has poor language, and if the names used are real certainly is a poor choice of dialogue, but if this conversation actually took place, that would be the firing offense.
It worries me how some departments choose to handle social media like this. This member should have been disciplined by working on a video for real public education, not fired because some Chief is getting heat from the hospital exec.
Hi Justin,
I sort of picked Fireman Mike at random. It was the first one I came across where the language might not be viewed as objectionable. Of course, I run a family oriented website.
It was much later that my colleague Emily Cyr posted in the STATter911 video player the Denver frequent flier video that is the real life version of Fireman Mike. I guess we were using our psychic powers today.
Good hearing from you.
Statter
fireman mike is the man!!!
I guess the next thing will be you sign paperwork pertaining to what you can do to keep your job. It is a questionable video and the choice of language is less than desirable.But it is not something to be fired over.
Okay so aside from the language the Fireman Mike video kinda sums up the abuse our 9-1-1 systems are facing nationwide and in the name of “customer service” it is allowed to proliferate by the powers that be.
What Dave? You don’t agree with all of my writings?!! And I always agreed with yours…All kidding aside, I have always appreciated your support the last couple of years. I think we’re both fans of the first amendment and rational arguments, save a few of mine…Regardless, I have been blessed to have been in the company of those passionate enough about the job to blog about it; You guys are truly pioneers. Thanks for the plug on the new magazine, it’s truly amazing to see it come to fruition. Thanks again Dave and keep in touch,
thehouseewatch.com
And this is the problem with being employed in a right-to-work state. Upset the wrong person, and you can loose your job. Even while off duty. He has no grievance allowances, save for what is provided by his job or city (if there even is any). If he wants his job back, count on this going to court and for this fireman to pay out of pocket.
Hell Erich, I don’t even agree with myself half of the time. Don’t think you are so special.
The best to you and Ray and the rest of your contributors. I am already looking forward to the next issue.
Statter
Dave – once again you have the goods. I know you have lots of ideas about the stuff you put out there, but mostly you just let it roll. This topic is way more than just about this particular situation. Anybody running EMS knows all about this.
I don’t see one thing wrong with Fireman Mike. Using the word “hell” is offensive? Wow, I must have missed that memo.
I cannot believe this guy was fired for making this video. What has this country come to?
I think Fireman Mike should make more od these. Thius is not offensive. It’s the truth….Keep it up Mike
If the fireman had been black, and the doctor had been caucasion there would be absolutely no issue. As soon as I saw the characters, I already knew how it would be interpreted. It’s so sad that you can’t have a sense of humor anymore.
I was a professional firefighter in Baltimore for 30 years… You would not believe what people call 911 for….. I see nothing wrong with the video…YEA! Fireman MIKE!
Well Dave social networking rears it ugly side…. again.
I think we need to hear the whole story about the case. Was this movie made while on duty? IT can track your computer history people, if on duty, how is representing the department? Is this the only video made by this guy? I am not saying he made more than one but there are a bunch of these text-to-movie videos on youtube, but this guy used FB with his real name and admits to day-to-day operations which drove the storyline.
These videos are yes quite funny to us who work in fire or EMS, but in the big picture (outside world) they are completely unprofessional, vulgar and disrespectful to others.
He does mention a doctors name, so that directly links him to a specific individual. I have represented a few union firefighters over the years and after reading this guys disciplinary policy, he is stuck… why, it was posted on his FaceBook page, he admits to making it, and he states a name, so it is a justifiable termination under his departments policy.
Policy, 15.3A (12) which states, Inmoral, unlawful or improper conduct or indecency, either on or off the job, which would tend to affect the employee’s relationship to his or her job, fellow workers, supervisor, reputation or goodwill in the community.
That is just (one) subpart of this department’s policy, which also states you could be terminated for any of them.
If I was this guy I’d find a good civil rights lawyer and sue the department for violation of his right to free speach an his own time. I’ts bullshit what Major Companies and Civil Service Orgs. can get away with and the adverage joe lets them. Take a stand FIGHT for your right to speak ur mind off the job, or let’s just turn this contry into a communist contry, after all that’s what it seems like we’re stating to look an act like.
Dave,
Can you find out if Fireman Mike did this on duty and used real names?
If he created this outside of work, I would be shocked that a department could find a city attorney that would have approved the termination. It seems to have 1st Amendment protection written all over it.
I would love it if all of us good old boy firemen were defended by the ACLU. Oh the irony.
I sure do miss the days when fire departments were concerned with putting out fires.
Fireman Mike needs to sharpen his script, but that is my only complaint.
how does DR.WARD refer to anyone in particular. If it was DR. Smith would we know who that was. The movie was made off duty at his home. It was only posted on FB which would mean it was only shared with his friends. Also the policy for termination pretty much says they can fire him for just about anything they feel like.
I think I have confused the issue for some of you. Fireman Mike, to my knowledge, is not the creation of Jason Brown the firefighter who was let go in Colleton County, SC. I used that as an example of the text-to-movie type videos from xtranormal.com that many of us have seen with this same animated firefighter figure. I posted that video before I realized Jason Brown’s creation was also available.
The Firefighter Mike episode on the abuse of 911 is relatively tame. I think the most profane word it uses is ass.
The language in Jason Brown’s creation seems to be more likely to offend people. I do not know the cirumstances on where it was made (home or work).
Hope this clears things up.
Statter
MJS hit the nail on the head. For you union bashers, this is what working in a Right to Work State looks like. It’s a hell of a misnomer because the only right an employee has is the right to be fired by management for ANY reason. I don’t know all the facts of this case, I’ve only seen what was posted on this website but if he has the resources, this Firemedic should get a Civil Rights attorney and sue the living crap out of Colleton County Fire-Rescue, Barry McRoy (Fire-Rescue Director), and Colleton County government for violation of his First Amendment rights. At the very least he’ll get his job back with back pay and benefits, at the most, Colleton County will make him a very wealthy man…
Also to clear things up the movie was made at home on his time. We are not allowed on internet unless it’s fire related materials, which is fine by all of us. The work place is not the right place to play online. Thanks.