Fire Engineering posted an article I wrote titled, "Why We Need Firefighters." It's a piece that is really written for the lay-person to understand what this calling is all about. I would love to see everyone out there print it out, and send it to the editor of their local paper (please just make sure you include the link so they can cite it properly if the print it) as an example of why fire department staffing is a critical issue.
In other news I am planning on debuting Video Blogging here tomorrow. For the next ten weeks I'm going to post a little bit of my thoughts on Ethos of the Fire Service Warrior starting with the ten points I discussed here.
Thanks to everyone for reading, referring the site, and being part of the discussion.
Very well done Christopher. I just came across this from a link on Fire Engineering and you've done a great job with it. I do believe I will be bookmarking your site.
ReplyDeleteChief Kyle Tischler
Albany VFD
Thanks Chief. Check out the Video-Blog and tell us what you think. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteObviously they meaning the politicians didn't read this in Camden NJ! FTM..they are letting a 1/3 of our brothers and sisters off the job!
ReplyDeleteKTF!
I am glad you are reporting information but instead of griping, complaining and pointing fingers. It is very sad to hear they are cutting this much line safety staff at one time. Why don't you assist these politicians, management leaders and unions in developing strategies to accomplish goals of keeping fire apparatus staffed? The bottom line is, just like your home budget, you can't keep spending more than what you make.
ReplyDeleteYes, some of our leaders or politicians have allowed this to happen. Instead of banking revenue while the boom was going good, they made foolish mistakes of increasing spending and wasting money.
We are all feeling the stretch. We also see the unions equally to blame. Our hands are tied when we look at other staffing options such as volunteers or reserve firefighters filling seats on apparatus.
Unfortunately some, not all of your brothers and sisters in the unions see them as "TAKING AWAY A PAID JOB" instead of a well trained part time paid, reserve or volunteer capable firefighter who can save a life just as well as a paid person.
Your article shows a horrible example of uneducated publishing. Any fire dept that allows firefighters to stand around when an eminent rescue is warranted should be "Terminated" on the spot!!! We signed entered this career, be it volunteer or paid just like a police officer or military officer, to save a life. We are all well trained in doing this. If there is a child who is in need of being rescued we will do all we can do to rescue those victims!! Also, to attempt to spray water on a neighboring home instead of the seat of this fire, attempting to reduce the threat as much as possible is another horrible example of your firefighting tactics!!
2-in-2 out is not required on an eminent rescue.
Now, say this is the same crew responding to a MVA with multiple trapped children requiring extrication and you normally have a crew of 4 plus a second engine of 4 more only 5 minutes away. But today the second engine was browned out and you are now down to 3 firefighters on the engine. This could pose a definite issue in having enough personnel to operate rescue tools and treat victims at the same time.
Thank you,
Jessie Rosewall
Asst Fire Chief
River Delta Fire Distict