Over and out for Baltimore chief’s Internet experiment. Chief Jim Clack signs off thewatchdesk.com.

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For our previous coverage on Chief Clack’s postings on thewatchdesk.com click here, here, here, here, here and here

Click here to read Chief Clack’s final posting and the response

This is probably a coincidence, but just a day after I mentioned Chief Jim Clack’s use of thewatchdesk.com (TWD) in my class at Firehouse Expo, and just hours after a pleasant conversation with the chief about his efforts, he has pulled the plug. Baltimore’s fire chief has long complained about the anonymity and the sometimes vicious attacks in the postings on the Internet forum. The chief, who frequently posted in the middle of the night, sent out his final message at 6:45 AM.

We have covered Chief Clack’s postings on TWD since the end of March, 2008. The chief opened the dialogue even before he took over the post in Baltimore, writing under the name BaltFireChief. Many who read the forum were initially skeptical that the person writing was actually their new chief.

In the first few months the chief would often have to respond to questions and criticism of policies from the previous administration. More recently, budgets cuts and the need to close companies permanently and on a rotating basis soon became the topic that brought the most heat and criticism of Chief Clack.

In his final posting, Chief Clack was very direct about his reasons for saying goodbye to TWD, writing, ” … some folks use their ability to be anonymous on this board as a license to be rude, obnoxious, defamatory and even openly racist”.

Not only will he no longer write to TWD, Chief Clack says he will no longer read the postings. Instead, the chief says he will post on the forum run by IAFF Local 964 (Baltimore Fire Officers).

The chief expressed concern about the personal attacks he has endured on TWD “instead of attacking my ideas and engaging in honest debate about what is best for our department.”

Here is another excerpt that sums up Chief Clack’s views on the subject:

Many will form an impression of us as a professional public safety agency by what they read here. I have a pretty high tolerance for foolishness, but I feel that this forum is not healthy for me personally, for the members of this department who read this stuff even for the people who don’t work here. The Baltimore City Fire Department is full of dedicated heroes who put their lives on the line every shift. They deserve better.

FossilMedic Mike Ward also writes about this development at Firegeezer.com.