Geppetto

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/greenwichct/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=683302&hit_count=yes&headerFooter

There are thousands of examples across the country where volunteers report to a career chief. It can work and will work for the volunteers who want to serve. If your sole motivation is preserveing your fifedom then this is bad but unfortunatly it's worse for the taxpayers.

New Haven Register
10/11/12

http://www.nhregiste...dd179413403.txt
WTNH clip
http://www.wtnh.com/...ed#.UHeMbFH080M

Port Authority boat sinks off Breezy Point as officers practice water rescue
By KATE KOWSH, PHILIP MESSING, LARRY CELONA, KENDALL RODRIGUEZ
NY Post
September 10, 2012
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rescuers_cop_sized_bAnMRVdcxDyfXpTINy5K6N

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-residents-to-vote-on-charter-changes-3815459.php
"...The election's charter questions, which elected officials finalized earlier this month, represent the culmination of nearly a year's worth of work by the Charter Review Commission and Board of Representatives. The volunteer commission presented more than 70 recommendations to the board this summer, which city representatives whittled to nine ballot questions.
Chief among them is the question of whether Stamford should combine its professional and volunteer firefighters into one department under a single fire chief. City representatives approved a three-part ballot question on the subject, which proposes a unified department with one chief and one fire marshal. The department would also have assistant fire chiefs from both the career and volunteer ranks. The question stipulates that the "Volunteer Departments are an important component of the new combined department."
"We tried to formulate a structure where there would be a partnership between career and volunteers," Sandak said. "In fact, the proposed charter changes include language that solidifies the role of the volunteers in the Stamford fire service."
John Mallozzi, co-chairman of the Board of Representatives Charter Committee, said the question was designed to streamline Stamford's fire services, while highlighting the importance of the volunteer companies.
"We're talking about a consolidation of service that is fair," Mallozzi said. "That recognizes that there is one city department, but also recognizes the service that the volunteers give the city. There's language in that charter change that protects the volunteers. Nobody is going to push them out."..."

In any case, that would require certification of a hiring list, which the mayor has been stalling for quite some time. Now wouldn't that put a spin on things?!

“While I could see how you may disagree I can say with all candor that we at BFD are working diligently to ensure as smooth a transition as possible should the proposed Charter changes pass, while at the same time working to develop viable cooperative alternatives should it not. As you might expect we will do all we can to bring about the changes we feel are in our residents and our best interests, but as you say the political process will decide and ultimately that will be that.”
Pete:
Is this the smooth transition that you mentioned? Or is it the viable cooperative alternative?
It looks like, and I could be wrong, that since BFD is represented here, that they have no intention of going along with any political solution.
The charter commission met, and all parties had multiple opportunities to give their input for development of at least the framework for where Stamford’s fire service should be going. As proposed, I see no removal of any of the fire districts, but a responsibility given to 1 chief for all of the city. It appears that that independent panel of city residents didn’t entirely agree with any particular side.
As for R&R, the proposal gives the volunteer sector an assistant chief, chosen from their ranks to handle and represent their issues. Sure, there is a Chief above him, is he accountable for every issue? On paper yes, but then so is his boss, the director of Public Safety, and his boss, the Mayor. As it stands now, it appears to me, that the volunteer sector wants NO other bosses.
I believe, that the sense of frustration, as exhibited here over nearly one hundred pages, is also felt on the public side, and pressuring/threatening/coercing/warning – pick your verbiage; of a potential lawsuit is not helping the volunteer position.
http://www.boardofre..._ltr_120709.pdf
115 days to go.

Slow News Day - Check out BOTH links below
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...0,6809174.story
Mediation starts for Turn of River department
AND
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local...0,7924355.story
Stamford volunteer fire chief cries foul

http://www.norwalkct.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2307

The Dart: 'The best job in the world'
Stamford Advocate
Harold Davis
May 14, 2012


http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/The-Dart-The-best-job-in-the-world-3554388.php

The Dart: 'The best job in the world'
Stamford Advocate
Harold Davis
May 14, 2012


http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/The-Dart-The-best-job-in-the-world-3554388.php

Op-Ed: Let the Charter decide fire service, but how?
Stamford Advocate Op-ed
May 3, 2012
http://www.stamforda...but-3533152.php
Here's your 15 minutes of fame, Pete -

Jack Cavanaugh: Solidify fire service under one chief
Stamford Advocate editorial
April 25, 2012
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Jack-Cavanaugh-Solidify-fire-service-under-one-3510349.php

Mayor urges BOR to vote on fire plan
By KARA O'CONNOR
Stamford Times
03/28/2012
http://www.thestamfordtimes.com/story/522563

Mayor Pavia: Adopt fire plan without further delay
Stamford Advocate - Letter To The editor
Friday, March 23, 2012
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/opinion/article/Mayor-Pavia-Adopt-fire-plan-without-further-delay-3430654.php
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus.

We idolized and memorialized Whitney Houston, yet looked the other way concerning her well known substance abuse and tumultuous life with singer Bobby Brown.
Charlie Sheen is 45 and his story is all over the news because he is a
substance abuser, an adulterer, sexually promiscuous and obnoxious.
Lindsay Lohan is 24 and her story is all over the news because she is a
celebrity drug addict and thief.
Something as frivolous as Kim Kardashian's stupid wedding [and
short-lived marriage] was shoved down our throats, While........
Justin Allen 23
Brett Linley 29
Matthew Weikert 29
Justus Bartett 27
Dave Santos 21
Jesse Reed 26
Matthew Johnson 21
Zachary Fisher 24
Brandon King 23
Christopher Goeke 23
and Sheldon Tate 27...
Are all Marines who gave their lives last month for you. There is no
media for them; not even a mention of their names.
Young Men who most likely came from rural America seeking a chance
to better themselves and to serve this county.
Rest In Peace, and THANK YOU,TROOPS.
This was an email i got and wanted to share it

Belltown Fire Department fills out volunteer ranks
Belltown: Amid pending consolidation, all-volunteer fire department adapts, thrives
Jeff Morganteen
Stamford Advocate
November 2, 2011
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Belltown-Fire-Department-fills-out-volunteer-ranks-2249372.php

Just the faces change.

Dramatic Video of Momper Fire -- Wall Collapsing on Firefighter
By Peter Neumann
INCNOW
10/30/11
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/home/Dramatic-Video-of-Wall-Collapse-on-Firefighter-132882423.html

Dramatic Video of Momper Fire -- Wall Collapsing on Firefighter
By Peter Neumann
INCNOW
10/30/11
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/home/Dramatic-Video-of-Wall-Collapse-on-Firefighter-132882423.html

Dramatic Video of Momper Fire -- Wall Collapsing on Firefighter
By Peter Neumann
INCNOW
10/30/11
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/home/Dramatic-Video-of-Wall-Collapse-on-Firefighter-132882423.html

Lawyer: Fire company consolidation would ease volunteer shortage
By W. T. Eckert
Register-Star
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2011/09/27/news/doc4e814ef12187c316655664.txt

12%, That's interesting data. Is that for a fully staffed piece of apparatus, or 1 non-qualified (medical or fire) person in a pick-up truck, signing on with a radio? I would be interested in seeing how well the other "maligned" companies actually respond. But as always, their sovereignty seems to afford them with the luxury of not providing it.

February 23, 2011
Marnie Eisenstadt
The Post-Standard
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/concerned_about_its_protection.html

February 23, 2011
Marnie Eisenstadt
The Post-Standard
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/concerned_about_its_protection.html