FirefighterJr

If it has come to the point of billing for FD responses, why did they choose to bill for MVA's, which are real emergencies?
Why not bill for repeated false alarms, or basement pumpouts and other "public service" calls? Doesn't that make more sense then billing for real emergencies?

Sounds as if there was a lack of planning when planning and building the rig. How do you purchase something that does not fit the streets or serve the proper purpose? C'mon!

Bro relax!! I'm with PFD you don't buy rigs that won't fit on your roads in your district.

Of course there have been shootings that in retrospect were unwarranted or mistakes. But, I could probably guarantee that in those cases, with literally only a split second to decide, the Officer's involved made the best choice they could.
Think about the many video of traffic stops gone bad that permeate those reality shows. Imagine conducting your 5,000 "routine" traffic stop, and something goes awry. We are not exaggerating when we say you have a second or two to react. There are some that would advocate the officers wait and take more time to make a "better" decision. Unfortunately, that will inevitably lead to more officer fatalities. It's indisputable.
The best part about the LoHud article is the injured passenger conceding that they drove into the officer, yet he goes on to fail to see the what "prompted the shooting."

My thoughts and prayers go out to our brothers who were forced to take the action that no cop ever wants to take. I use the word forced because thats what it was, they were forced by the suspect to use deadly physical force. I have every expectation that this shooting will be found justified by the grand jury.
I am disgusted but not suprised by the reporting by news12 of this issue. This guy wasn't the "victim" he is the "suspect" but yet they keep referring to him as the victim. The only victims in this situation are the 3 officers that are involved.
I laughed when I saw the comment from one of the naacp leaders who asked when will the police move away from the mentality that they always have to use a gun and when will they learn to use a taser instead. This is comical because when a cop uses a taser, the same guy will be crying brutality. The police literally can't win.
I wasn't really suprised by a lot of the news12 and lohud comments, not in this liberal county. It's amazing how people that know nothing about policing will always try to second guess us, no other profession gets second guessed like law enforcement.
Stupid comments like " sounds like someone is trigger happy" and " why didn't they shoot out the tires." You come to expect it but what's very bothersome to me is that the officers and their families have to see and read that nonsense and it only makes it worse on them.
I am so disgusted with news 12 that I have called verizon and made an installation appointment for fios just to get rid of cablevision and I cancelled my subscription to the journal news as soon as I saw their headlines... I would urge other to do the same.
Sorry guys, I know I started ranting but some things just get under your skin..

14-17?

If we wanted free food we shoulda been cops

I don't post on here often, and when I do I keep my posts to a minimum. I like to get involved in debates about sensitive issues just as much as some other members do, but I don't get involved in serious debates on this site because you say one thing and right away 10 people are crying that you're bashing or criticizing. Quite frankly, it's a turn off for a lot of people who may be able to contribute positively to the forum, but don't want to get all mixed up in the nonsense.
I don't think that outright attacks should exist in this forum. I don't think this forum should become the equivalent of an NYPD Rant type forum where a bunch of disgruntled emergency services personnel talk about who is the worst paramedic, or the laziest cop, or the buffiest firefighter. I think this forum should remain a constructive place for local emergency services personnel to debate and discuss the issues that exist in emergency services, whether at the local or national level. Chris192's post in the other thread related to this topic is a perfect response I think... if only I could put it so eloquently, but honestly I don't care much about being eloquent.
Emergency services personnel generally have Alpha/dominant personalities. They're leaders, they face things that the general public does not face, and we do things that the general public does not do. Having an alpha personality means sometimes you have to grow some thick skin. If someone throws a jab at volunteers, don't cry about it. Come up with an educated rebuttal that disputes what that member is saying. Problems exist across the board with paid, volunteer, and combination departments. Discussing these problems is not bashing, it's a discussion to talk about the problems that exist. If you don't like the fact that your agency has faults that someone pointed out in this forum, get over it. Maybe the points brought up here are valid points, so instead of crying about it, do something about it. Make necessary changes, ask how things can be improved, ask what you can do to bring your agency up to the recognized standards.
The simple fact is that in an area where there is so much diversity amongst its emergency service personnel, there's always going to be conflict and debates. Just because someone's views on a certain person, agency, service, or method of doing things aren't your own views, as JFLYNN says, QTIP.
I can only hope that too many members of the general public don't read the nonsense that goes on here. Some of the threads are fantastic, with great input from a lot of educated and experienced individuals. The moderators do an excellent job of weeding out posts that are not constructive.
While I don't personally know you Seth, I know you value this forum for what it is and I know that you and the staff have put a lot of time, effort, and money into creating this forum. All I can say is, don't let all the petty complaints and other nonsense get to you. If people have a problem with things that are said here or topics that arise, let them move on, and find another forum where everyone holds hands and sings songs around a campfire. If they choose not to move on, then they are going to have to learn not to be so sensitive and grow some thicker skin.