FFPCogs

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Thank you for the opportunities I've been given and the freedoms I enjoy.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Thank you for the opportunities I've been given and the freedoms I enjoy.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Thank you for the opportunities I've been given and the freedoms I enjoy.

Fascism flourishes when the fear to speak your mind replaces the freedom to do so. Remember Nazism was "politically correct" once too.

To the "PC" police...
You may not like what I have to say, but I have the right to say it...you only have the right not to listen.

Posted these on another site and they're just as appropriate here.....

You don't need to collect a paycheck to act professionally....NEVER, EVER settle for being anything other than the best you can be!!
Career, volunteer or anything in between, if you're in the fire service it doesn't get any clearer that this....

Posted these on another site and they're just as appropriate here.....

You don't need to collect a paycheck to act professionally....NEVER, EVER settle for being anything other than the best you can be!!
Career, volunteer or anything in between, if you're in the fire service it doesn't get any clearer that this....

Posted these on another site and they're just as appropriate here.....

You don't need to collect a paycheck to act professionally....NEVER, EVER settle for being anything other than the best you can be!!
Career, volunteer or anything in between, if you're in the fire service it doesn't get any clearer that this....

Posted these on another site and they're just as appropriate here.....

You don't need to collect a paycheck to act professionally....NEVER, EVER settle for being anything other than the best you can be!!
Career, volunteer or anything in between, if you're in the fire service it doesn't get any clearer that this....

Very nice looking rig...the key here being nice looking. That thing would be a b!tch from a practical standpoint for working a fire....my God you'll get a nosebleed or a broken ankle trying to stretch a line. And while it might be serviceable (barely) in an industrial setting the sad fact is alot of municipalities are trying to outfit their FDs using the same ''one rig does it all" concept and it simply doesn't work. Bigger isn't better and whatever is saved in dollars is lost in practicality where it matters...on the fireground.

Very nice looking rig...the key here being nice looking. That thing would be a b!tch from a practical standpoint for working a fire....my God you'll get a nosebleed or a broken ankle trying to stretch a line. And while it might be serviceable (barely) in an industrial setting the sad fact is alot of municipalities are trying to outfit their FDs using the same ''one rig does it all" concept and it simply doesn't work. Bigger isn't better and whatever is saved in dollars is lost in practicality where it matters...on the fireground.

Very nice looking rig...the key here being nice looking. That thing would be a b!tch from a practical standpoint for working a fire....my God you'll get a nosebleed or a broken ankle trying to stretch a line. And while it might be serviceable (barely) in an industrial setting the sad fact is alot of municipalities are trying to outfit their FDs using the same ''one rig does it all" concept and it simply doesn't work. Bigger isn't better and whatever is saved in dollars is lost in practicality where it matters...on the fireground.

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.

Great topic Chief==I think that most Fire Departments should take a real close look at them selves in a mirror and see what they see. Are they stuck in the 70's or 60's or worse yet 50's. We see time after time departments buying bigger--bigger--biggest--bester things. We all realize that especially in the volunteer service there is a erosion of manpower. In the career side its do more with less-- basically it's the same thing. How do we get everyone into the 21st century is the question.. better recruitment? incentives? training? community involvement?? getting home to our loved ones is a priority --- as I say in my classes---you didn't start the fire--- you joined to help your community. you cant do that if your not trained properly. 5 points I strive for -- get there--get there safely--do your job--do your job the best you can--get home to your loved ones.
I guess the answer might be in full disclosure. I once knew a Fire Chief that every meeting he went to stated that he did not have sufficient manpower.
So Chief there is not easy answer to your question just more questions

They have to follow OSHA's Fire Brigade standard, but that's a joke. State Statute does not require them to be NFPA certified, though most individual departments do (I can't think of any that don't require it, except in the instance when a department allows a member with out-of-state certification to join)

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.

i feel like a lot of this thread is people grandstanding for their own opinions and feelings rather than looking at the facts / looking at what folks on hand had to deal with.
Well, on the bright side... at least there's an "active" thread again on this site :-) woohoo.

Yes we do, but more so we owe it to ourselves to be honest with ourselves. What I mean by this is that we are the greatest obstacle to solving the problem of inadequate responses and until we can admit that truth there is little hope of progressing. Like an alcoholic the first step in fixing the problem is admitting we have one and having the willingness to do what it takes to fix it. Most can readily admit to the first part, that there's a problem, but very few can honestly say they are truly willing to do what it takes to fix it. Oh sure, many will loudly jump on the consolidation bandwagon and proclaim that this is "the answer", until that answer involves them making concessions to serve the greater good. "We must consolidate, but my agenda is more important that yours", "we must consolidate, but don't change my contract", "we must consolidate, but don't touch my apparatus", "we must consolidate but don't take my rank" and so on and so on. Sadly, egos, agendas and a warped sense of self importance makes it virtually impossible to progress out of the tradition of putting ourselves first. And make no mistake we have always put ourselves first, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion. The public will only get what they deserve when we put their needs above our wants....and that my friends is a tall order indeed.