San Diego

Warned that not all firefighters accused of misconduct are being punished equally, the San Diego Fire Department will formulate new procedures to ensure a more uniform system for meting out discipline, officials said Friday.

Battalion Chief John Hale said that department officials, after reviewing a report from the city’s Civil Service Commission, have decided to improve their system of performance evaluations and to implement new procedures for firefighters accused of misconduct.

The commission’s report noted that firefighters have received a wide range of discipline in recent years, particularly in drug cases. The panel also directed the reinstatement of Vincent Stevenson, a seven-year firefighter who was discharged for smoking drugs while off duty.

Hale said the department will abide by the commission’s ruling to reinstate Stevenson. He said department supervisors also will work more closely with firefighters suspected of having drug problems, and encourage them to participate the city’s Employee Assistance Program.