EDITORIAL: What’s the problem in fire department?

There are three possibilities: First, most of the issues coming out of the fire department may just be due to one or two people. As is often the case, the actions of a few can reflect badly on the group as a whole. We hope that’s the situation here and that the problems are limited.

But another possibility is that the department has developed a frat-house culture where training and finances aren’t taken seriously. It’s not uncommon in closeknit public safety departments to find good ol’ boys mentality, especially when departments have come under the kind of pressure that has happened in Barrow recently. A defensive “the world is against us” thinking can infect departments under that kind of pressure.

Finally, the current problems may come from systemic issues in the public safety structure in Barrow County. While a combined fire and EMS system isn’t uncommon, that system may not be suited to Barrow’s needs. The cross training necessary to have that system often narrows the employee pool — some Paramedics and EMTs don’t like putting on coats and running into burning buildings while some firemen don’t want to deal with medical issues. While on paper the system makes sense, in reality the two jobs require different kinds of skills. So the current system may lend itself to training issues and other abuses at the management level.

So why is any of this important?

For one thing, public safety is one of the core functions of local government. Citizens often give public safety spending a free pass because of the perceived importance of the duties they entail. But if public safety departments abuse that or are seen to be dancing around requirements, then faith in public safety is diminished.

There are a lot of good people working for the Barrow fire and EMS department and they deserve to not have this cloud hanging over them. Barrow leaders should quickly get to the bottom of these issues and take whatever action is necessary to put the department back on an even keel.