Community Guidelines

Last Updated: April 14, 2026

FireMatch is built on the same principles that guide first responders: trust, respect, and integrity.

Whether you are a firefighter, EMS professional, police officer, military service member, medical staff, or a civilian who respects the lifestyle, you are expected to uphold these standards. If you cannot abide by these rules, FireMatch is not the app for you.

1. Authenticity & "Stolen Valor"

Honesty is non-negotiable. Do not misrepresent yourself, your profession, or your credentials.

  • No Fake Badges: Uploading fraudulent IDs or claiming a first responder status you do not hold is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban.
  • Civilian Honesty: If you are a civilian, proudly own it. The community is here for you just as much as it is for responders.
  • Current Status: Ensure your profile accurately reflects whether you are active duty, retired, or a volunteer.

2. OPSEC & Confidentiality

Operational Security (OPSEC) and patient privacy (HIPAA) are critical. The Responder Lounge and your private messages are not the place to share sensitive data.

  • Do not post photos displaying sensitive equipment, secure facility layouts, or tactical information.
  • Do not share identifiable information about patients, ongoing investigations, or confidential department affairs.
  • Be mindful of what your uniform photos might inadvertently reveal in the background.

3. Respect and Boundaries

We do not tolerate harassment, bullying, or discrimination of any kind.

  • No Unsolicited Explicit Content: Sending uninvited sexual images or highly explicit messages will get your account terminated.
  • Respect the "No": If someone unmatches you or indicates they are not interested, respect their boundary. Do not attempt to contact them outside the app.
  • Zero Hate Speech: Racism, bigotry, homophobia, and misogyny have absolutely no place on FireMatch.

4. The Responder Lounge Rules

The Responder Lounge is a place to decompress, share advice, and build community. To keep it a supportive environment:

  • Keep debates civil. Department rivalries are fine if good-natured, but toxic arguments will be removed.
  • Do not spam, solicit, or promote external businesses without permission.
  • Do not "dox" (reveal private, identifying information about) other users.

5. Reporting and Enforcement

If you see something, report it. Our moderation team relies on the community to help maintain these standards.

How to report: Use the "Report User" button found on every profile and within the chat interface. You can report for harassment, fake profiles, underage users, or inappropriate content.

Violating these guidelines will result in actions ranging from a warning to a permanent ban, at the sole discretion of the FireMatch Admin Team.