ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGERS

ETHICAL
CONSIDERATIONS FOR
EMERGENCY SERVICES
MANAGERS
Marla Graff Decker
Deputy Attorney General
JD, EMT-C
Commonwealth of Virginia

Ethics for Leaders

The Role of Ethics in a Public
Safety System

Where to Start?
Ethics for Leaders

The number
one rule - which
is commonly
echoed in all
management
courses - is:
“Lead by
example.”
“Ethics”
is derived
from the Greek word
“ethos,” which
means “character”
 “Character”
is defined as
“the combination of
qualities or features that
distinguishes one person
from another.” It is also
defined as “the public
estimation of the person —
reputation.”

Ethical
behavior is
the display of
moral
attributes
judgement
 behavior
 self-discipline
 character


However, what
“ethical behavior”
really boils down
to in it’s simplest
form is:
 Knowing the
difference
between right
and wrong and
behaving
accordingly
Character Traits
Reflect Ethics
 Honesty
 Courage
 Compassion
 Even-handedness
 Respect
for Others
The end of the
20th century
brought with
it a public
outcry for
ethical
behavior by
leaders!
 Why?

Why the Call for
Ethical Leaders?
The O.J. Simpson trial
 The Clinton Administration
Scandals


The Florida Voting Ballots

The initial exposure of criminal
behavior by big corporate
executives
What did the 21st Century
bring to the table?







Y-2K Phobia
“ENRON,” etc……..
September 11th, 2001
Post-September 11th Scams
Post-ENRON settlements
Differing opinions relating to Iraq
Allegations of inappropriate
treatment of prisoners by U.S.
military
Ethics Vs. Law
 Ethics
is not
simply a
question of
legality
 Something
may be
legal, yet
unethical

Although the
question of
whether
something is
legal must be
addressed,
that is not the
end of the
story …
Many forms of
unethical behavior
are entirely legal

The Role of Ethics
in a
Public Safety
System


Personnel
Management in
the public sector
is very different
from personnel
management in
the private sector.
This is
particularly true in
the public safety
arena


Ethical behavior
is paramount in
all areas of Public
Safety
Citizens must be
able to believe in
the dignity and
moral fiber of
public safety
professionals
 Public
Safety
Leaders face
three
different
levels of
ethical
concerns:
First
Personal
– ones
own
behavior

Second
 The
Behavior of
Officers-all line
supervisors
Third
 The
behavior of
each
member of
the Agency
or
Department
Ethical Behavior Subjective in Nature
 Like
the
legal
definition of
pornography
 “You know
it when
you see
it!”
Ethics Where to Start?
A Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics

How many of your Public Safety
Agencies have a Code of Ethics?

How many of those Agencies
require all employees to sign a
Code of Ethics?

What do they sign? Read/Agree
Code of Ethics
 Does
the
Code of
Ethics just
sit on the
shelf?
Code of Ethics

Was the Code of
Ethics developed
by management,
rank-and-file,
committee, or
“other
governmental
entity” (like the
state Attorney
General)?
Code of Ethics

The current popular theory is that a
Code of Ethics should be
developed by a committee within
the Agency/Department, even if that
committee simply ratifies the Code
of Ethics in place for the State, City,
County, or Town

It is all about “ownership” of the
final work product
Types of
Codes of Ethics
 Two
Basic Types

Compliance Based

Integrity Based
Compliance Based
Code of Ethics




This type of Code deals with
punishment, or punitive measures
The emphasis is on “unlawful” or
inappropriate behavior
It also focuses on avoiding legal
problems
It centers on protection of the
Department/Agency
Integrity Based
Code of Ethics





This type of Code deals with “core
values”
It promotes integrity of the
individual
It goes beyond simple legal
considerations
It does not stress punishment
It defines the “internal fiber” of
those who make up the
Department/Agency
Integrity Based
Codes
Promote ethical behavior and
create a work environment that
encourages appropriate behavior
by all of the stakeholders
What are the “Core Values”
of The Department/Agency
 Honesty
 Integrity
 Fairness
 Commitment
 Moral
Excellence
What Type of Code of
Ethics is Preferable?


My Opinion —
Integrity Based Code of Ethics
Why?



Public Safety Employees Respond
Better to Positive Reinforcement
“Type-A” Personalities
Core Values are already important to
those involved in Public Safety
Regardless of the Type
of Code of Ethics



All employees
should be
required to read it
during probation
All employees
should be
required to agree
to its terms
It should be
included in
ongoing training
Along with Knowing the
Code ………..


The terms and
provisions of
the Code of
Ethics must be
strictly
enforced
All employees
must be held
responsible for
their actions


Ethical
situations are
one of the most
difficult
management
challenges
Ethical issues
rarely create
yes/no choices
Some Common Ethical
Issues That Should Be
Contemplated
Some Common
Ethical/Legal Issue

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Conflict of Interests
Confidentiality
Use of Position for Personal Gain
Personal Contracts
Outside Employment
Personal Investments
Use of Government Time
Behavior On Duty and Off Duty
Discriminatory Practices
Job Performance

Employees of the
Agency/Department shall perform
their duties earnestly, efficiently,
economically, and honestly. They
shall always have the citizens’
safety and interests at heart and
will not act in a manner that will
bring shame or adverse publicity to
the Agency/Department.
Statement of
Affirmative Action

No employee, during the
performance of their duties,
shall discriminate against any
person on the basis of race,
religion, sex, marital status,
color, creed, ancestry, sexual
preference, medical condition,
handicap, or national origin.
The Aftermath of
September 11th, 2001
September 11th
 How
do the
tragic
events of
September
11th fit into
a discussion
of ethics?
News flash for
the American
Public!
 Wake-Up call
about what
Public Safety
personnel do
…


As citizens
rushed out of
the Towers,
Emergency
Services
Providers
rushed inside
Public Safety Professions
Are Back in the Press
The 1950’s mentality of “I want
to be a police officer or
firefighter when I grow up”
came back
 “Our True American Heroes”
was plastered everywhere
 Media coverage of public safety
entities expanded 10 fold

Media Coverage Means




Emergency Services - in the
spotlight – sometimes
good/sometimes bad
Public awareness translates into
public support
Nevertheless, more ethical issues
have developed in light of
increased media interest
The role of the Attorney General
has greatly increased.
Questions?
References include
Fire Service Personnel Management,
Steven T. Edwards
Brady/Prentice Hall Health © 2000
Chapter One
and
Miscellaneous Public Reports