FFPCogs

If it is true that TOR will be going 100% volunteer, than this is a major opportunity that MUST be seized. Unity and strength in numbers is your only defense and protection, so some sort of confederation with much broader authority than the "Big 5" is now NEEDED !!!. The remaining volunteers in Stamford should in effect become the Stamford VOLUNTEER Fire Dept...join together operationally, administratively ect. It may well be in your best interest to look south to Virginia and Maryland and investigate their set up. Also actively seek recruits anywhere and any way you can citywide. For those of you who know me this is no new call to action. I said all this 20 years ago. The names may have changed but the story is the same. The only way the volunteer system will survive in Stamford is for it to grow into what is needed today, not rest on the laurels of yesterday. I know the pride felt by all the members there for their individual department. I am proud of my time with the BFD too, but don't let that pride blind you to the realities you are facing today. As long as their are 5 different divided little kingdoms, you will never stand up to the city's and the IAFFs onslaughts. It is time to think beyond the walls of Dorlen Rd. or Buxton Farms Rd. Time to work out a consolidation plan that will be workable for the members but more importantly serve the citizens to the level they deserve. The volunteer system can survive and thrive in Stamford, but only if the members are willing to make the changes necessary to meet today's realities. I hope this hits home and makes sense to you all. Take care and as always Stay Safe Cogs

BFD182- Alan I got your message but it seems my reply didn't go thru. So for you and anyone else interested you can email me at ffpcogs@yahoo.com. to catch up. I look forward to hearing from you. Take care and as always Stay Safe Cogs

Thanks Joe And yeah lifes good. I'll be out of here soon (in about a month) and back to the real world. I hope and pray the BFD will still be there when I get back. I look forward to stopping in there. Seems like things have turned out pretty good for you as well...I'm glad to see that. Take care and as always Stay Safe Cogs

First off I just have to say that this whole issue is a travesty. Mayor Malloy and his cronies have stooped pretty low in their attempts to bring Belltown "in line". That being said bashing Glenbrook, local 786, or anyone else serves no purpose at this point. This has now been given over to the courts, so let it take it's course. On a personal note: I served with the BFD from 1980-88, and I've kept in touch regularly since. These were and are some of the finest FFs I have ever had the honor of working with..especially 137..who was one of my most valued and trusted friends. I have been out of the loop here for awhile as I have been working overseas. It pains me to see how far things have degraded there. For me if Belltown does not want a city presence..so be it, as long as they provide the level of service the community needs and deserves. Let me say here that my mother still lives there in Belltown and I have the utmost confidence in the BFD for her safety and security. Belltown has many options given the necessary operating budget to ensure the proper level of service to it's community. I know they would continue to uphold the finest traditions of service and dedication as they always have. I would hope that those of you that are now IAFF members who started out with the BFD would admit this truth as well. I still carry with me the lessons learned way back when on Dorlen Rd. and am forever proud and thankful that I had the opportunity and priviledge to be a part of that fine organization. I will do whatever I can to assist the BFD in their struggle for survival. Peter Cogliano Lieutenant Camp Rustamiyah Fire Department Baghdad, Iraq