BALTIMORE (WBFF) — The Baltimore City Fire Department is facing scrutiny over its recruitment process following a potential threat on Tuesday at Frank J. Trenner Fire Training Academy on Pulaski Highway.
Matthew Coster, President of the Baltimore City Firefighters IAFF Local 734 union, expressed concern after a recruit allegedly sent text messages on Dec. 3 threatening to shoot others and himself.
“You don’t want somebody that’s going to ultimately shoot somebody (with the department), that’s not what we’re looking for,” Coster said.
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The alarming messages prompted recruits to alert fire department officials, who then contacted police.
Officers discovered loaded weapons in the recruit’s vehicle, though no one was injured. The recruit was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Coster is advocating for mental health screenings during recruitment, saying, “As far as I know, there is no mental health screening process.” He added,
It’s deeply concerning if somebody with any kind of mental illness or issues can make it that far in the process.”
Coster has been in discussions with Fire Chief James Wallace and the administration to implement mental health evaluations, but Coster said financial constraints appear to remain a hurdle.
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BCFD spokesperson John Marsh confirmed that recruits are not required to undergo psychological evaluations, but must pass a thorough background check.
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