Getting Explicit, FDNY Hoses Firehouse Porn

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

The Fire Department last week officially pulled the plug on porn, issuing an order Jan. 30 that clarified and strengthened an existing ban on "inappropriate materials" in fire houses.

STEVE CASSIDY: Raps FDNY for talking dirty.

In addition to outlawing the "viewing or display" of sexually explicit photographs, posters, pictures and other printed materials, the FDNY is also eliminating racy "television or audio programs, videotapes, DVDs or adult/movie programs [and] adult channel[s] from a cable television company. Premium channels, which provide sexually explicit material, will not be permitted to be received on any cable box at a Department facility."

No Word on HBO

An FDNY spokesman didn't respond to a query about the potential banning of cable channels like HBO or Cinemax, both of which carry an array of what's known as "sophisticated" adult-oriented programming, some of which is sexually charged, but not necessarily in the gratuitous way of randy films.

The FDNY's Departmental Order, however, suggested it would be up to fire officers to find the boundaries of good taste.

"Commanding officers/unit heads shall contact cable television companies and have them 'block out' any stations received on the basic package which show sexually explicit programming," the FDNY order read.

Uniformed Fire Officers' Association President Peter L. Gorman said his union welcomed the new policy. He said his members wanted to better understand their responsibilities and were appreciative of what the FDNY had done to clarify them.

At the same time, he added, the UFOA wasn't looking to turn officers into the "cable box police."

Light on Enforcement

The FDNY, in theory if not always in practice, has banned any kind of lewd or suggestive material from firefighter quarters for decades. Those edicts, however, much like the one prohibiting alcohol consumption while in uniform, have been viewed by members more as advice than strictly enforced rules.

Uniformed Firefighters' Association President Stephen J. Cassidy said he was pleased with the stronger, stricter regulations. Mr. Cassidy sparked the First Amendment battle with the FDNY last month by hiring civil rights attorney Ron Kuby to represent firefighters in a free speech lawsuit against the department.

Mr. Cassidy contended that an FDNY order banning all materials from display on lockers - including patriotic symbols and private family remembrances - infringed on firefighters' free speech. He demanded a clarified policy in writing that gave more specifics.

The FDNY at first refused to produce a list of what constituted "unacceptable material," but then later put out an order saying Mass cards and American flags were allowed.

Kuby Unconvinced

Mr. Kuby showed no signs of backing off, however, and sent FDNY officials a letter stating that Jan. 31 was the deadline to issue a clearer policy or papers initiating a First Amendment lawsuit would be filed.

While the FDNY has sought to paint the issue as a tussle over smut, Mr. Cassidy insisted last week that porn was never the problem.

"This regulation is a victory for firefighters and we are happy with it. As regulations were before, none of these things were acceptable and our arguments were never about that," Mr. Cassidy said. "We wanted our First Amendment rights; we wanted them to define what was unacceptable and they have. And now the guy who wanted to have a picture of his wife and kid on the locker can."