Felons as Firefighters? I still don’t think it is necessary to allow felons to be firefighters. That being said, I have heard from some who have turned their lives around and become upstanding firefighters by their accounts and some of their peers. Unfortunately, some felons who have infiltrated the fire service continue to prove my point that it isn’t a necessity.
Captain John Pernay Fields
The latest is charges against Piney Grove Fire and Rescue Department (NC) Captain John Pernay Fields. Pernay, 34, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon among other charges.
Fields is listed on the department’s website as a captain. He will remain suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation, Piney Grove fire officials said.
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Fields was convicted on felony vehicle breaking and entering charges in 1996 and served four months in prison, according to state arrest records.
Past articles related to felons in the fire service include:
- Felons as Firefighters? New York State Law Aims to Stop Employment Discrimination Against Ex-Cons. FDNY Considers Hiring Felons
- Should Felons Be Allowed to be Firefighters?
- Should Sex Offenders be Firefighters? What About Pardoned Ones?
- This thread on Firefighter Nation that I began…and was eventually closed by the webteam
The problem with anecdotal (e.g., headline-based) citations is that they don’t reflect the success stories. Such as, say, employed felons who have successful and non-problematic careers.
Surely some social scientist somewhere has done research on this topic, and has objective conclusions measured using scientific methods.
I don’t believe a portion of the felon firefighters committing a crime should prevent all of them from being allowed to become firefighters. Albeit, their past crimes/current behavior should be taken into consideration. How many of these felon firefighters have a good career with no crime committed since release. I doubt that all of them are going to commit crimes, let alone a majority. If I am wrong though, I will eat my words,
I’m not seeing any real change from the current situation. Firefighters and fire officers who aren’t felons are committing felonies too as reported in the news media on a daily basis. They are diverting funds for personal use, physically and sexually assaulting patients, women, and children, driving drunk, false representation, causing death and disability by wreckless driving, pretending to be law enforcement and conducting traffic stops, arson of all degrees, theft, etc. etc. The list of shame could go on and on.
Singling individuals out for special attention simply because of their past does not make their crime any less offensive than the same crime carried out by a non-felon…does it?
i hate the news reporters they just need to mind their own business and get a life
– Victoria fields
john fields daughter
i think same as Victoria
i think they need to get a life too and stay out of my familys business