[redeard]

Based on the article, the only things he could be charged with are: disobeying a lawfull order ( he was told not to go into the building) and disorderly conduct ( reason same as above) He cannot be charged with reckless endangerment because of the self-stated policy of the fire department. According to the department, the firefighters will enter a fire to rescue a person, pet, etc. when they have knocked the flames down to a safe(?) level. If this is the case the fact that this man entered the building should have had NO affect on the firefighter's decision of when to enter the building. If it were to make a difference then they are lying about their policy of when to enter a building. I would have done the same thing to save my dog!

[Drammach]

Go back and read the article.

He never entered the building.
He was told not to go into the building and he didn't. He climbed the 16 to 18 ft. up to his balcony, OUTSIDE the building, and rescued his dog.
Something ANY one of those firefighters could have done with a simple 20 ft. ladder.
He did not disobey a lawful order. ( "leter of the law". The order not not specific concerning climbing the outside of the building.)
Disorderly conduct. ( His "conducted" actions showed more intelligence and resource than the "trained" professionals on the scene, who had obviously forgotten how to use a ladder. )
Likewise, reckless endangerment. ( He never "entered", so they would not have had to "enter" either. He was on a balcony, some 18 ft. away. )

Those people were just uncaring idiots, out to get someone that made them look bad.
And evidently, they were also caught on tape by local media, and shown up for what they are.