Social media guidelines have been revised after a couple in Garfield Fire Company 1 were threatened with suspension for posting their wedding invitation on Facebook that featured their turnout coats.
The couple will not face suspension from the department. City Manager Tom Duch said what originated as a "lack of communication" has been corrected after a several hour meeting with the five fire department chiefs, himself and Deputy Mayor and Council Fire Department Liaison Glenn Mati, where everyone left with a "clear understanding" of what is acceptable on social media.
According to Duch, what is positive and favorable can be put online (including the wedding invitation) and that the city encourages it, but anything negative, demeaning, degrading or that can violate the privacy of a fire victim is not allowed.
Garfield Fire Company 1 volunteer members Paul Mellor, 27, and Danielle Szep, 26, were proud to incorporate their fire department turnout coats on their wedding invitations.