FIRST IN’S 6TH ANNIVERSARY

Six years. Thank you all for coming along for the ride.

LAWLESSNESS IN THE D.C.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius violated the Hatch Act on February 25th. Since she was found in violation last week, not one question – not one – has been asked of Sebelius about the incident, which was deemed founded by the ethics office. I’m shocked.

A review of transcripts by The Daily Caller indicate that no questions have been asked by the reporters who cover the president about Sebelius during official White House briefings or gaggles since Sept. 12, when the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said in a report that the cabinet secretary violated the Hatch Act earlier this year.

It’s still up to President Obama whether Sebelius should keep her job or face some sort of punishment after being found in violation of the Hatch Act.

The ethics office said Sebelius violated the law on Feb. 25 while delivering a speech to Human Rights Campaign while serving in her official capacity as cabinet secretary. In her speech, she called for Obama’s re-election, and the election of the Democratic candidate for governor in North Carolina. The Hatch Act prohibits certain civil servants in the federal government from engaging in political activity on the job. (LINK)

Any chance Obama will punish Sebelius for breaking federal law? No, I didn’t think so.

PFD AND NUTTER ADMINISTRATION CRUSHING FREE SPEECH

PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
HEADQUARTERS
August 1, 2012
GENERAL MEMORANDUM # 12 -80
TO : All Officers and Members
REF/AUTHORITY : Special Investigations Officer/Fire Commissioner
SUBJECT : SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORKING GUIDELINES
The use of Social Media and electronic transmissions has become challenging for fire departments and their personnel throughout the country (e.g., Facebook, My Space, Twitter, YouTube, online blogs, email, texting etc.). The proper use of Social Media can be beneficial to the department, employees, and the public. However, improper use can potentially undermine the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Fire Department and its employees. There is no presumption of privacy when information is posted on Social Media websites and/or transmitted electronically. As per Directive #25, Discipline Policy, uniformed members of all ranks are expected to conduct themselves in a credible manner at all times, both on and off duty.
The Philadelphia Fire Department has recently developed a comprehensive Social Media Policy, which will be forthcoming in the near future. In the meantime, it is necessary to provide guidelines on the use of Social Media and electronic transmissions, and remind members of current department polices.
Effective immediately, all officers and members will adhere to the guidelines listed below on the use of Social Media and electronic transmissions both on and off duty.
Social Media Guidelines
• Employees are prohibited from using City of Philadelphia or Philadelphia Fire Department property to engage in personal use of social media.
• While in on-duty status, employees are prohibited from using privately-owned property to engage in personal use of social media. The only exception will be to engage in reasonable and necessary emailing or texting (e.g., text or email from a teacher/child care provider, or family member regarding an emergency).
• Employees shall not identify themselves as a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department on any Social Media and Networking site without prior approval of the Fire Commissioner. The only exception will be a professional networking site (e.g. LinkedIn). Postings will only pertain to professional networking and development.
• The use of cellular/mobile phones is prohibited while driving any department apparatus, responding to or operating on any incident scene, performing official duties, and during training (practical or classroom). The only exception will be for
official communication (e.g., to contact Fire Communications, chain of command or medical command).
• The use of recording devices—camera, video recorder, audio recorder, cell phone or any device with audio and video recorder applications—is prohibited while on-duty and/or at any incident scene without prior approval from the Fire Commissioner. The only exceptions are those persons/units (Visual Communications Unit, Prevention, and Fire Marshal’s Office etc.) authorized to do so. Under no circumstances will photo images, video, or audio of any incident scene, patients, bystanders, or first responders be posted on line.
• Employees are prohibited from posting on any Social Media site or electronically transmitting any information regarding the transport, treatment, or condition of any patient. This includes employees/members who were provided care and or transportation to a medical facility.
• Employees shall not post on any Social Media site or electronically transmit any electronic recordings (photo images, video, or audio) of Philadelphia Fire Department property or on-duty responses/activities without written approval from the Fire Commissioner.
• Employees are prohibited from posting on any Social Media site or electronically transmitting messages, images, comments, or cartoons displaying threatening or sexually-explicit material, epithets or slurs based on race, ethnic or national origin, gender, religious affiliation, disability, or sexual orientation, and harassing, offensive, discriminatory, or defamatory comments.
• Employees are prohibited from posting on any Social Media site or electronically transmitting messages, images, comments, or cartoons that foster or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
• Employees shall not post any material on the internet or via electronic transmission that may adversely affect the efficiency or effective operation of the department.
• Employees shall not post on any Social Media site or electronically transmit any information that is inconsistent with the duties, ethics and Oath of Office of a firefighter or paramedic, such as racist or sexist comments, inaccurate information, personal attacks, or rumors.
• Employees shall not post any information or images involving off-duty activities that may bring a member’s or the department’s reputation into question.
• Employees shall not post any photo, image, or video of themselves wearing any part of the official Fire Department uniform or displaying any City equipment without approval from the Fire Commissioner. The only exception will be a professional networking site (e.g. LinkedIn).
• Employees shall not post on any Social Media site any depiction or illustration of the Official Seal of the City of Philadelphia, or the Philadelphia Fire Department name, badge, logo, patch, or vehicle, so as to give the appearance of an official site of the City of Philadelphia or the Philadelphia Fire Department.
• Employees are prohibited from posting on any Social Media site or electronically transmitting any information regarding a Fire Department incident, ongoing investigation, or pending litigation (both criminal and civil actions).
Responsibility
Division Chiefs will meet with their respective Battalion Chiefs to develop and implement a plan for Company Officers to conduct station exercises reviewing the policies listed below. Battalion Chiefs will coordinate with Company Officers to facilitate the review of policies, and ensure a roster sheet is prepared for each company indicating member has reviewed the listed policies. Platoon “D” Division Chiefs will consolidate all memos and forward to FPSC Jeremiah Laster, Special Investigations Officer by October 1, 2012. Unit Heads will follow the same procedure for their assigned members.
• City of Philadelphia Social Media Use Policy located on the “T” drive, Social Media Policy folder
• Directive #57, Fire Department Wide Area Network
• HIPPA Web Training PowerPoint presentation located on the “P” drive, “H” folder, HIPPA Central and Web Training folder.
• Directive # 25, Discipline Policy
Failure to comply with Social Media and Networking Guidelines may lead to disciplinary action being taken against a member/employee.
LLOYD AYERS
FIRE COMMISSIONER

SOCIALISM: IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER

It’s the soup de jour of the Obama administration. Consider the remarks he yesterday at a Chicago fundraiser:

“Too many folks still don’t have a sense that tomorrow will be better than today. And so, the question in this election is which way do we go?” President Obama asked at a fundraiser in Chicago on Sunday.

“Do we go forward towards a new vision of an America in which prosperity is shared?” Obama asked. “Or do we go backward to the same policies that got us in the mess in the first place?” (LINK)

Shared prosperity? Is he on crack? The man has no idea what America is all about.

The fact that this man refuses to acknowledge the facts – that his policies got us into this mess – is inexcusable. Can you imagine what this country would look like after another four years of Barack Obama?

BIDEN PATRONIZES FIREFIGHTERS

Joe Biden speaking at this years IAFF convention. His entire speech patronizes and insults the intelligence of many rank and file conservative firefighters. Particularly galling is his use of the memory of our fallen brothers to score political points. Apparently Vice President of the United States, Joseph Biden is completely ignorant of the fact the DEMOCRAT MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER has tried to break the firefighters union and stopped our contract from being implemented for THREE YEARS. Either that or he just doesn’t give a shit. More firefighters have lost their jobs under Obama and Biden than any other administration in history.

DEMOCRATS AND HORSES

Ironic that democrats roundly blistered Anne Romney isn’t it? It’s also pretty clear that Ms. Akbar didn’t build this horse ranch by herself…

NUTTER STICKS IT TO US AGAIN

I guess none of us should be surprised.

City Council passed a $3.6 billion budget Thursday, officially delaying Mayor Nutter’s planned property-assessment reform for at least another year, while nonetheless raising property taxes 3.6 percent. The hike – the third property-tax increase in three years – would raise $20 million for the nearly insolvent School District of Philadelphia.

Coupled with $20 million from an increase in the use and occupancy tax on businesses, which Council approved last week, the district would receive $40 million in new money from the city in the next fiscal year.

That falls short of Mayor Nutter’s goal of raising $94 million for a district already facing a $218 million deficit. (LINK)

The school district’s financial crisis is entirely of Nutter’s own doing. This man gave a $1 million bailout to former school superintendent Arlene Ackerman, and now he wants us to foot the bill. I guess he never considered collecting the millions in unpaid taxes from the thousands of his deadbeat Democrat electorate. That would be silly.

THE HONORING HEROES BLOCK PARTY

A huge thank you to the folks at Maggie’s Waterfront Cafe here in Northeast Philly.

A FUNDRAISER for injured firefighter Pat Nally and the families of the two firefighters who were killed in the April 9 Kensington warehouse blaze will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Maggie’s Waterfront Cafe on Delaware Avenue, near Linden, in Torresdale.

Most of the proceeds will go to Nally, 26, who was seriously injured in the fire, said Bill Gault, president of Local 22, the firefighters union, which is sponsoring the Honoring Heroes fundraiser along with the police union.

Some of the proceeds will go to the Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund, set up for a new memorial for fallen firefighters and police officers in Franklin Square Park.

Tickets are $25, which includes admission, beer, food and entertainment. They can be bought at the event, or in advance at Ladder 16, 2601 Belgrade St.; Engine 7/Ladder 10, Kensington and Castor avenues; Local 22, 415 N. 5th St.; and at Maggie’s. (LINK)

If you’re in the Philly area, stop by. It’s for a great cause.

L.A. LEAVES SOMEONE BREATHLESS

Los Angeles has never been a healthy place to live. Shootings and other gang-related violence are rampant, while drunken celebs smash their cars with impunity. Not to mention the fact that smog and other pollution can cripple those whose health is not up to par.

None of this, however, can possibly explain this story:

Authorities said on Monday that a pair of lungs had been found on a Los Angeles-area sidewalk and that coroner’s investigators were trying to determine if they were from a human or an animal.

The organs were found by an unidentified person on Sunday night in an area just outside the city limits, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sergeant Pauline Panis said. Panis said it was the first time she was aware of a pair of lungs being recovered from the streets of Los Angeles. (LINK)

The most likely explanation? Michael Moore went for a run and coughed up his lungs thirty feet into it.

THE CHIPS ARE FALLING