As we approach the one year anniversary of the use of fire equipment at a police incident in Newport New Hampshire, we, the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs and the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire are issuing this joint statement to urge all departments to engage in the immediate creation and implementation of policies that clearly outline the appropriate and inappropriate use of firefighters, firefighter uniforms, protective personal equipment, fire apparatus, and/or images of fire service personnel. 

The public depends on the fire service in their hour of emergency.  A key element to performing our jobs at the top level of skill and professionalism is the trust that the public gives us when we enter their neighborhoods, their homes, their schools or their places of business.  That trust cannot be jeopardized in any way or the effects will be detrimental to the public and the fire personnel who serve them.  The action of using fire personnel, equipment or apparatus during an investigation, apprehension, or arrest by law enforcement agency tears at that trust between the public and the fire service and it cannot continue. 

click to read full statement  

Final Joint Statement on Newport Incident.pdf