gamewell45

I'm not defending this "department", but don't you think it would make sense to hear the other side of the story from the "department" your describing before we all start castigating this particular fire department? Perhaps you could find someone from "that" department to provide us with some of the details of that alarm on the particular day? As i'm sure you'll admit, there are at least 2 sides to every story.

My department hasn't had a parade in over 10 years now I think. Tough to attract fire departments to come to your parade when your main audience is cows, horses and cornfields.

Grandfather, member Lincoln Engine Co. No.9, City of York Pa; Father, Honorary Member Lincoln Engine Co. No.9, City of York, Pa.; Brother, past member D.P. Hays Hose Company, Pleasantville FD; both my son and daughter very active members Beekman Fire Company; myself 36 years in the fire service between D.P. Hays Hose Company, Pleasantville FD and Beekman Fire Company.

That's assuming of course that one has access to a cellphone. While its not the only way to get the job done, the siren is a back-up in case the paging system goes out or if the person is outside and his/her pager is inside their house in the charger. I think in this case redundancy is a good thing.

Probably the same reason you see IAFF union stickers on the windows/bumpers on some fire apparatus. Its recognition of who you are.

Oklahoma has joined the ranks of states like Ohio, Wisconsin, etc when their senate passed legislation removing collective bargaining rights from non-uniformed employees. Don't be surprised if they go after the uniformed services next. http://news.yahoo.co...unions_oklahoma

How much he paid is irrelevent; the fact is that he knows what his terms and conditions of employment are; that he knows what his benefits package will look like knowing that the employer cannot just decide to "change" things in midstream; he know's what his base level of pay and how much of a raise he'll get every year so he can financially plan for down the road; he know's if there is going to be a layoff, there is a system in place which determines who is laid off and how; he knows that if an issue comes up in the workplace, there is a mechanism to address it up to and including arbitration if the union and employer cannot agree on a resolution; he knows if he's hurt in the line of duty that he'll have his salary and medical coverage continued according to the terms of the labor agreement; he knows that when he has reached retirement age he'll be able to retire with a living wage so he won't have to depend soley on social security to live off of for the rest of his life.....I could go on, but maybe you see the big picture. You on the other hand most likely work non-union and as such have no guarantees; just taxes and death. I know your kind of young yet and have a long way to go in your career(s) but try to be open minded rather then condeming something you really have no idea about. Read up on the history of the labor movement in this country and the contributions they have made and are continuing to make. You might actually change your position to one of appreciation for what the labor movement has done for this country and will continue to do.

Sonny boy, you need a dose of the real world because what you've said proves that you have no idea what labor unions are all about and you obviously have no idea of the collective bargaining process. Stop listening to those conservative talk show hosts (many of whom are in unions themselves) who continually bash unions and read about labor unions on the AFL-CIO's website. It's just how it is in the real world. Whether you want to admit it or not, the people in here who are in labor unions are speaking the truth. http://www.aflcio.org/

You do the possible. The impossible will just have to wait.

If the information contained in his letter is not accurate, then the union would be smart to counter it with a rebuttal so the public doesn't swallow the information hook, line and sinker.

Try lowering the air pressure in the tires.

Roldan got what he deserved. Too bad he didn't get life without parole. http://box45.blogspot.com/2009/10/rest-in-peace-ff-patrick-joyce.html

We already have a museum in Hudson NY; its located at the Firefighters home at the Hudson and although I've never seen it I'm told its a nice place to visit; its staffed mainly by the residents of the home. either way, trying to fund a start up museum at this time given the budget cuts and the state of the economy might not be to viable an idea.

I think that's a question best answered by those in your department (if that's where the issue is) who "think its ok not to show up for a rostered shift." You might try to address your concerns with them and ask them why they have that attitude; I dare say that most people who regularly post here are most likely very active in the fire service and don't have that attitude you've described; all most of us can do is to speculate. I've been in the fire service for over 35 years and only recall hearing that defense used once; the person was asked to resign on the spot at the meeting, but hey not all departments are alike.

Can anyone in here explain, what if anything are volunteers are legally permitted to do on the fire scene without violating the collective bargaining agreement in place? Are they allowed to be called out for emergencies? or have they been relegated to social status only.

Some of you can probably relate to this: http://box45.blogspot.com/2009/10/time-to-sharpen-knives.html

Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio has signed legislation which strips collective bargaining rights from public sector unions, including fire and police. Interestingly enough, the bill was sponsored by State Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro which received the backing of the police unions in 2010. Talk about being stabbed in the back. http://www2.nbc4i.co...bill-ar-439679/ http://news.cincinna...ext%7CFRONTPAGE

GE didn't violate any laws; it was all done legally. If it bothers you that they didn't pay any taxes, then you should consider petitioning your local congressman to change the tax laws.

I don't know if Jeff Pells applied for the job, but if he did I'm surprised didn't get it; seems like he's been a Deputy Chief forever.

If memory serves me correct, when Steve Forbes ran for president some years ago, he proposed a federal tax of 13% for everyone with no deductions or loopholes. To me that sounds like a fair system, sort of pay as you go. Probably would create a poltical nightmare for politicians since they'd be under enormous pressure to give tax breaks to the rich and corporations.

Is the 35% total tax or just federal tax?

Another black eye for the fire service.:angry:

Whatever antenna you ultimately decide on, make sure its a Tri-Band, that way you'll get maximum reception from all ranges on fire frequencies.

I guess if the over-use of radio nomenclatures is our biggest problem in the fire service, then life isn't too bad.

Now that the republican senators have used the so-called nuclear option, unless it is overturned in court, once passed by the House and signed it'll become law in Wisconsin. And it'll stay that way unless in the next election cycle, the people vote out the republicans who supported this bill and repeal it. I think it will happen. According to polls, the people of Wisconsin strongly oppose certain parts of the bill which they feel are an encroachment on civil rights of workers in the state. Governor Walker has done an admirable job of polarizing his state and for that he'll most likely become an icon for republicans and conservatives for years to come. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepo...117472988.html While the public workers may be down, they are definitely not out. I suspect it'll become the 1930's again in Wisconsin labor-wise; in some aspects I think it'll be good since many unionists know very little or nothing about unions in general and the sacrifices made back in the day when they fought street battles with management and company hired security hacks.Tthis is a wake up call to not only public employees but also those in the private sector who think they are immune from what took place in Wisconsin. Furthermore, fire and police will not be immune from future attacks on their unions; indeed Ohio, Indiana and New Jersey are contemplating changes in labor regarding the public sector in their respective states. Make no bones about it, the public and private sector unions in other states are next on the republican's hit list. After all, the Republican Party owes its soul to the US Chamber of Commerce and Tea Party, so hopefully it'll galvanize everyone from both the private and public sectors to band together as brothers and sisters with a common bond to work to vote out the governor and every republican of either house who supported this bill. Tonight, after it was announced that the republican senate in Wisconsin had passed the bill by 18-1, five of my co-workers, all staunch republicans revealed to us that they are so embarrassed by what their party did in Wisconsin, they plan on leaving the party and registering as independents. I look forward with extreme enthusiasm to the next two years. I honestly believe that the Republicans have awakened a sleeping bear.