Sad Day

Well it's official, 2 districts are being eliminated. Of course I am totally against it and the obvious vendetta being perpetrated against us by the administration.

Is it tough economic times ? of course, we all know it, but why are we the only ones suffering at this magnitude ? 200 plus positions eliminated, brown-outs ( always lead to Black-outs), less supervisor positions. Meanwhile the cops lose the cadets & the people who take care of the horses ?

Read the papers, magazines or on-line news, my friends, the attack on the working class continues and is increasing. I just saw where a certain town is going to lay-off ALL of the teachers and re-hire them at lower wages ? WTF ! Two times ! What's next.

Getting back to us. If all agencies were being forced to do the same I would believe it is a necessary evil, but unless other public safety agencies are also facing these Draconian cuts I see it for what it is. This city has declared war on us with a no-prisoners mandate. Do not think this will be it. If they get away with the the brown-outs we will lose companies. The city is not out to drag a contract along ,they are out to gut us.

I don't know what we can do to stem the tide and maybe it's already too late, but I for one will not go gentle into that good night. This administration is out to cut us, they are just using the economy as an excuse to bullshit the public.

I had always hoped we could get by and survive anything but I guess not.

Boston Drivers

 This Boston driver thought the light was green ( no light just a stop sign) and narrowly missed some kids on the porch.

  

  In this incident Inspectional Services, Building Inspector, was notified to respond and check the stability of the building. We notified the owner to contact a contractor as the need to shore up the floor might be required. The inspectors arrived and agreed that before the car could be removed, shoring should take place in the basement. The cops, however, were none to happy as they are required to guard the scene.    

  One in particular tried to yell at the Tow Truck driver to remove the car. So, I had to remind him of who's in charge at emergency scenes and asked him do we need a Sergeant to respond ? Turns out it was his turn and being close to relief time he didn't want to get stuck and miss his detail.

   I'm not a Structural Engineer so I try to over do it, my goal and yours should be Life Safety, Incident Stability & Property Conservation. Don't make a decision you can not defend in court. When in doubt call for someone who has the knowledge that can help you.

  As a side note, had a working fire here about 15 years or so ago.

Apparatus Replacement Schedule

  The latest equipment on tap for purchasing. 

  The powers that be are doing a great job turning our job around. If it wasn't for these highly intelligent civilians we would be screwed. All I know is for the last 400 years we firemen have lost our way and we should realize that city hall needs to step in and set us on the right path. It is for our own good.

  We know that because of the economy, the job needs to be downsized. So what if no other department and especially the other public safety department is not feeling the same cuts. Over 200 positions (back step & supervisory ones) and the cops can only afford to lose horses & cadets. What are we crying for ? 

  Don't we realize that we are all the same ? We all have the same character, thoughts, feelings and what one individual does means we all do it. 

  Anyhow, I can't wait to get those latest Fire Buckets, bright red and low maintenance.