Firefighters will not collect for charities on county’s time

Clark County firefighters now have to be off the clock if they want to raise money for charity.

In an internal memo to county management, Fire Chief Bertral Washington wrote that he made the change because department resources are "very limited" and need to be prioritized.

In past years, the department has allowed on-duty firefighters to collect donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Fill the Boot program. Washington wrote the change in policy is a matter of fairness to other nonprofits interested in partnering with the department.

"While the purpose of these fundraising activities is commendable and important to our community, it is difficult to devote on-duty staff resources to extended events that are beyond our primary public safety purpose," Washington wrote.

The change, in part, was motivated by public concerns, Washington told the Review-Journal on Monday.

"We never saw any lag," Washington said. "We never saw any delays in getting to calls, but if we were to have a spike in charities requesting us to do things on duty, then that might become a challenge."

A phone call to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for comment was not returned Monday afternoon.

County Commissioner Steve Sisolak has criticized firefighters for participating in the fundraising drive while on duty. Two years ago, Las Vegas firefighter Joy Sager posted online that she wanted "to shoot Sisolak in the (groin)" on a website that bashes local newspaper coverage of firefighters. She later apologized to Sisolak but feared his criticism could hurt the effort to help children.

"I commend the chief for realizing there was an issue related to participating in other charities," Sisolak said. "I encourage people to be involved in charities on their own time. It makes our community better when you have a volunteer spirit.

Ryan Beaman, fire union president, said he was made aware of the policy change through media reports Monday.

"It's unfortunate the fire chief has taken the position in not allowing our firefighters to do this work during work hours," Beaman said. "We'll continue to do that work off duty just like we do with various charities. I'll encourage our members to still support all the charity work we do."

Commissioner Tom Collins said he believes firefighters are being singled out.

"They're a target," Collins said. "Now, they're the bad guys in the community because they're public employees who are paid well for being first responders and saving lives, which they do every day."

Collins said the boot drive is no different that other charities county employees participate in while they're working, including an annual food drive that stations barrels at the County Government Center and elsewhere for canned donations for the needy.

Commissioner Mary Beth Scow disagreed.

"I don't think most businesses let their employees on business time go and do something like that," Scow said. "I think it's just good fiscal policy."

The boot drive was started in 1954 by Butch Snyder, a former fire captain. Last year, Clark County firefighters posted photos of a few employees online stationed near the Strip. That group collected donations in uniform for 14 hours totaling $5,725 while running 49 calls, including two fires.

Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.