Philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, two firefighters and one police officer failed to heed the lessons of recent history. Instead of holding their words, binding their fingers or turning off their devices, they took to social media to share with the world their thoughts on the incident that claimed the life of one man, a firefighter, and injured three others, including the former president.
- Pa. fire chief resigns after sharing social media post following Trump assassination attempt
- Pa. fire captain resigns after social media post about Trump rally shooting goes viral
- N.C. officer placed on leave after social media post about Trump assassination attempt
What was the history lesson they failed to learn?
This number of firefighters and fire officers who found themselves facing consequences after making light of the murder of George Floyd or promising to run over protestors in the summer of 2020 is just as disturbing now as it was then. Those firefighters were fired, suspended or chose to resign (likely before being terminated) from their departments. This isn’t ancient history or an isolated incident in a community far away. These suspensions, terminations and resignations were trending news in every corner of the country all summer long.
Can I still learn from history?
Of course, you can learn from history and prepare for the next time. We can be sure there will be another national or global incident, and the frenzy of hot takes, shouting and red-hot partisanship will entice you to partake. But before that happens, I implore you to read the words of Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder:
“You didn’t take an oath related to posting career- or reputation-ending comments on social media, so don’t lose your position, membership or career over it. Plenty have and plenty regret it.”
Next, watch this video from Chief Marc Bashoor about the life-altering and job-altering impacts of social media posts. Bashoor reminds viewers that they are not “granted the right from the freedom of consequence, the right to a job or a right to a specific employer.”
Then set a reminder to read Goldfeder’s article and watch Bashoor’s video at least once a year. Even better, make both department training assignments, coupled with a review of the department’s social media policy and consequences for violating the policy.
Does the public want me to post to social media?
Yes. The public wants to see the training you’ve completed. They want to hear the actions your department is taking to make your community safer and read the community risk reduction messages that save lives and improve the quality of life. The citizens want you to be present, face-to-face (not by keyboard) at community functions, events and parades. They even want to know about the sacrifices you make to serve the community and the mental and physical toll of the job. They also want to know what the department needs to better serve the community.
For everything else, as Bashoor says, it is time to back away from the keyboard and put your phone in your pocket. Before posting to social media, especially on political and societal events that are reverberating through every corner of society, “think twice and back away once.” Bashoor admonishes firefighters to build trust rather than compromising the public trust firefighters have spent decades building in their community.
