Your Input is needed!

[web-chief]

Originally I posted this as a reply to a thread elsewhere in the forum. I decided to re-post it here to be sure to get the message out to as many as possible.

As I am sure you all know we do monitor the forum. The question is always "how far do we go?" If we delete posts, edit threads, sanction users, we get accused of censorship, yet if we let it go, we get complaints. Often there is a misunderstanding and someone feels slighted. Sometimes people make unrelated irrelevant or abusive posts, and they still don't get why we would delete or move their posts. Finding that balance can be an awesome task. We are definitely not perfect, I personally can remember errors in judgment, that I and others on my staff have made in this forum.

We hate to see anybody feel that they want, or need to leave. We would like to make this a better resource, or shall I say community, for all visitors. The question is how do we do that? Should we make more rules and be stricter on enforcing them? Should we enlist members as moderators? Would anybody like to step up to the plate to help us make this forum better?

We are open to your thoughts and or suggestions. Feel free to post here or send me a private message. If you are not currently a member or would prefer not to PM, you can click here to send me a message. (http://www.firehall.com/forum/sendmessage.php)

Cris Leonard,
President/CEO
Firehall Online Inc.
aka web-chief

[Rescue78]

Hey Boss

I think there can be such a thing as overmoderation in a public forum. A bunch of Type A personality individuals don't want to be treated as kids.

I believe it is up to the users to use a bit of self moderation. Unless there is obvious disrespect, offensive comments or posts or violations of the rules of the board, you should not have to police the site.

People in a group can have a positive influence on each other. We see it happen once in a while when a member will jump on an other for a comment and someone else will jump in and say "Breathe through your nose buddy, what he meant was..." to which a "My bad" often is replied.

I don't see my platoon chief jump in everytime the tone of voice is raised at the kitchen table.

Keep up the good work.

[fireman66]

I have been on the site for 2 years. Was a volly for a long time and am now full time. The site has great information and insite to safety and how departments deploy units.

Yes at times we all make a smart comment or see page after page of guys trying to get on a department.

Overall the guys and gals are great sure things get out of hand at times just like at the station. People in this business are proactice and aggressive at times.

Some times its like e mail type it out come back 1 hour later and read it over before sending.
You may not send it.

Just my 2 cents

I enjoy the site.

[ndvfd_ff33]

This site is pretty good as far as moderation goes. I think you guys allow people to get what they need out as long as they remain respectful about it. Sometimes a slip up happens but life goes on.

I belong to another forum that the mods are made up of people who are active members with far stricter rules. Starting threads without searching first will get you a warning and then banned. Having multiple screen name gets you banned. One good thing about it though is people who troll around just looking to pick fights get the boot. So there is a lot less BS. Threads that turn into a s*** show right from jump street generally get locked pretty quick. In some ways it's good and others not so much.


Having said that though I think you guys do a good job. Keep it up.

[RugbyCanada]

Mornin Chief,

Some pretty good points by the guys above.

Like anything in life, sometimes people have to develop a thick skin on some issues, a sense of humour on others, or do what I do when the wife watches Dancing with the Stars--change the chanel. I'm not gonna cancel my cable because of one dumb show.

In answer to your other questions about Mods from members, etc., that is totally up to you. Who really has the time to watch all that stuff, and has the common sense to police it? Not me, thats for sure.

IMHO, leave it as it is. Too much moderation would not make for a "fun" read. Your site is different from all the others because of that philosophy. Let people express themselves; if it gets outta hand, block the offensive nutter, but at least let people express themselves, good or bad.

By the way--great site, I get lots of info, and have even made a few friends from here. Keep it up.

Cheers,

RC

[StillHopin]

Hey Chief, great site dont sweat it.
I joined this site to find out who is hiring, when and to find out what I can do to better my odds of getting hired. I still get that info on a daily basis. That is all I expect from you. As far as the other conversations, people choose to argue, belittle, run down or just plain disrespect others. That my friend is life. There is always good people and bad people and until you gain respect from others you could be a tartget. Again this is life. The people complaining about the site, well you chose to get involved. If you pick a fight be prepared, if you insult be prepared, if you do nothing and someone jumps on you DO NOT REPLY or you are chosing that fight. This is a free service you offer and it is full of information, I agree their is a few that should be locked out and you know the ones, most of them have a few posts of nothing but looking for a fight. But tomorrow they will be back under a new name anyways. My advice would be for the people that do not want confrontation dont get involved, for those of you that do I find it very amusing.
Good luck to all

[vwbug]

I think you are doing a great job with the site. I wouldn't want firehall to censor the posts only because too me its like reading the news paper some of it makes sense and some of it pisses me off but I also wouldn't stop reading the newspaper and depending what paper you read the information changes, just like the users on here.

Frankly unless someone is buring the flag then freedom of speech is the way to go. Its lets us form our own opinion on topics and its easy to spot out the dingbats on here. It's honestly a great site with lots of useful info!

I have made many friends on here and to answer your question on mods, you're always going to get those stupid posts but really do you want to babysit people? Also some posts get lost in translation its sorta like when I text my parents and say "DNBL8" those usually get lost in translation.

Anyway keep it up I think this site rocks and everyone has their days even LGT can be a DICK ..lol

have a safe day

[LTPVFD]

Hey Chief !!

I have been on here along time, almost six years now, and would probably qualify as a senior member. I joined your site/forums for many reasons, one of which is this is a Canadian site, and generally has Canadian content. That being said, the input from our brother and sister members from the south has been valued and appreciated.

During my time on the boards, I have had the opportunity to learn alot about the different aspects of fire fighting, gear, apparatus, strategies & tactics, technical rescue, volunteer issues, union issues, etc, and about the people who make up the fire fighting community. The general chat has been interesting, and some of the jokes have been excellent. While I have only met a few of the members in person, I have made some "on line" friends, who have been very helpful for a variety of reasons.

Over the years there have been some whose sole intent was to stir the pot, not in fun, but maliciously. :( There are others who like to stir the pot, but do it in fun. ;) Then there have been others who I'm sure posted just to see their name on a web page. Some posts have been deleted, and rightfully so.

Like others have said, if you do not like a thread, or don't want to stir the pot, then don't reply. If you have nothing valuable to add, don't waste your time.

Overall I have enjoyed participating in the forums. You guys are doing a great job - please keep up the good work !! :top:

Stay safe !!

LTPVFD

[FiremanLGT]

even LGT can be a DICK ..lol

Impossible....I've enrolled in Professor Dentedhead's charm school ;)

[PFD023]

I wouldn't change anything. I've been on sites where there are moderators....and some of them need moderators to moderate them.
Everyone is looking for something different when they come into these forums. Some are content to be voyeurs...others wanna reply to every discussion...others are just trying to be or do something they can't outside of the web (ex. being aggressive without getting their teeth knocked out). Many are just looking for a job.
99% of the folks who offer something to others end up staying (it's been my experience). From what I understand there have been some really positive folks who have left...thats unfortunate....Workingfire was one of them.
Probably the best method of reducing the number of negative contributors is by leaving them to fend for themselves against the vast majority in here who won't tolerate them. They tend to leave after awhile....abit punch drunk at times. I don't know any other way around it unfortunately.
I like to blame it on all the recent introduction of the preservice programs............(insert laugh here).

It seems that the Hiring threads are the ones which cause most of us the most grief. If you wanted to try to reduce the number of negative confrontations you could probably just focus your efforts there. Not sure how you would do that though.

[wilderness]

Some great people have come and gone.... some will be missed and some won't..... I do hope maybe oneday we can put our diffrences aside, and become as close as we were once..... ..... your staff here does an out standing job, don't change a thing