Propaganda disguised as news

[A fire alarm sounded this afternoon at 2 Center Plaza, forcing Mayor Thomas M. Menino's campaign headquarters to evacuate, right as staffers were working the phones to get out the vote. Perhaps inevitably, the alarm raised eyebrows on the campaign because Boston Firefighters Local 718 has been at loggerheads with Menino for months and has endorsed Councilor Michael F. Flaherty in the mayor's race.

Nick Martin, a Menino spokesman, said about 50 people in the office were forced to leave the building for about 30 minutes.

“It was supposedly just a routine drill, but it’s a little bit of coincidental timing,” Martin said. “There were people trying to make phone calls at the time and they had to leave for half an hour, so that was definitely a disruption.”

Steve MacDonald, a Fire Department spokesman, said the fire drill was scheduled by the building management.

“We had absolutely nothing to do with it,” he said. “It was strictly building management.”

Equity Office Properties, which owns 2 Center Plaza, described the drill as a routine safety precaution.

“Like many building owners and operators, Equity Office Properties holds fire drills at all of its buildings in the event of an actual emergency," Karen Baker, a senior vice president at the company, said in a statement e-mailed to the Globe. "This was a routine drill. As always the safety of our tenants and employees is our first priority.”] (BG 9/22/09)

I re-printed this article only to show you what exactly it was I read. Maybe you saw it also, I don't know. When I first read it I laughed, not a funny ha-ha, more of a snicker, and I couldn't help but respond. It's another example of how one particular "News Source" printed an article to try to smear not only a candidate, but an entire public safety department as well as its union.

I commented on the lack of facts and questioned the "reporters" intent. Of course my comments were deleted almost as fast as I put them up. Deemed objectionable.So much for free expression.

The Fire Department DOES NOT CONDUCT fire exit drills. At most, when asked we will WITNESS the drill and add any suggestions on how to improve them. That is all.

While I have come to expect this from the incumbents machine, how is it fair when the "news" spreads such propaganda? Opinions are for blogs (such as this one) but when the "news" insinuates and tries to stear people to the conclusion that the union would use such tactics, well I ask, where is their integrity?

Random Thoughts

Another week in the world of first-responders and here are some of the things that caught my attention.

• A Chicago Battalion Chief was suspended for missing a fire. Companies were dispatched to an alarm of fire and it seems he slept right through the alert tone. He was suspended for 15 days. Now I realize that Chicago Battalion chiefs do not have aides but I couldn't help think that this guy must of been an arsehole or this is another example of the erosion of the Brotherhood. The days of taking care of our own are rapidly diminishing. To be honest here, I have often wondered what Brotherhood meant and will soon post something on the subject.
• The L.A. Station fire is contained to about 60% ( yes it's still burning) and has been determined to be caused by Arson. Just following it through the media, I couldn't help but think how hard it must be physically and mentally to operate at these types of fires. I have much respect to the men and women who fight wildfires.
• FDNY firefighters were upset that they were taken OOS for a P.R. event, which entailed washing off an elephant from the circus. I can certainly understand the angst that occurs if something came in while doing a dog & pony show but anytime you can make yourself look good to the public you should take advantage of. The days of hiding behind the doors and working at a "Fort in Injun Country" are long gone. We all took an oath to serve the public. Remember we are here for them, not the other way around.
• Due to budget cuts and layoffs the Lawrence Ma. Fire Department has decided that they will no longer respond to medical calls. Two firehouses have been closed and ten members layed-off causing the Fire Chief to determine that medical calls will no longer generate a firefighter response. Talk about slitting your own throat.

L.A. Wildfire

Wow, this is a devastating fire. So far, the fire has burned nearly 219 square miles (140,150 acres), cost 21 million dollars to combat, destroyed 5-dozen homes (with another 10,000 being threatened) and caused the line-of-duty deaths of 2 L.A. County Firefighters. It’s being called the Station fire and the smoke from this particular fire is obscuring the mountain views all the way in Denver, Colorado. Amazing.

Wildfire season out West usually is during October due to the winds but this one is being driven by the dryness of the brush due to drought like conditions. {L.A. Times}

Deputy Incident Commander Carlton Joseph (Forestry Service) reported on Wednesday that they believe the fire was started by Human factors. No clarification of whether they think it was arson or accidental in origin. They also reported that 22% of the fire was contained. I guess that sounds hopeful and I’m not sure what that statement really means, but that’s what was reported. I’m sure to the men and women, who fight Wild fires on a regular basis, can understand that statement. It’s just that I have never heard fire containment used in those terms where I’m from.

Those wildfires out West are of a size and scope of which I am not familiar with. The Strategy and Tactics used are as foreign to me as another language. My experience with fires has been primarily buildings, autos, dumpsters, and small (compared to out West) outside fires. There is a huge difference between Structural firefighting and Wild Land firefighting. Both are dangerous to operate at and cause death and property destruction all the time. But controlling ans extinguishing them are different The thought of operating at a fire of this magnitude is unreal to me. I couldn’t even imagine being a Smoke Jumper. Jumping out of planes and landing in the middle of a fire with a tool and an aluminum blanket is not for me. I have so much respect for those men and women who perform these actions. Crazy arse MoFos as far as I’m concerned.

Fire Captain Ted Hall and Specialist Arnie Quinones died when the truck they were in crashed while trying to escape the flames. Rest in Peace men.