DETROIT (AP) - A group of Detroit firefighters who posed in front of a vacant burning home for a photo to celebrate a battalion chief’s impending retirement will be disciplined for what the city’s fire commissioner called their “momentary lapse in judgment.”
Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said Friday in a statement that an investigation into the Dec. 31 incident determined that firefighters entered the house and began battling the fire but were ordered out due to concerns about the building’s structural integrity.
“During this transition from offensive operations to defensive operations, a suggestion was made to take a photo, with the retiring battalion chief, in front of the building,” Jones said, calling their actions “inappropriate behavior.”
“This momentary lapse in judgment brought great embarrassment to our department and our great city. For this poor judgment, all involved will be held accountable,” he said.
The photo of a 18 Detroit firefighters posing in front of the burning home was posted Dec. 31 on social media on the Facebook page “Detroit Fire Incidents Page.” It included a caption: “Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!” The image was later taken down.
Jones said he could not discuss the details of the planned discipline but that “supervisors and above will receive a greater degree of disciplinary accountability,” adding that he’s satisfied that those involved have “shown the appropriate level of regret for this inappropriate behavior.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.