bigrig77

I personally would prefer not to see any rank or former rank sewn on coats. If that guy wearing the coat is an Ex-Chief and either moves, gets fatter, gets skinnier or otherwise resigns, than I have a coat that says "Ex-Chief" on it that I can't exactly hand out to just any member. This was the same reasoning that our department stopped putting company names/ numbers on our coats several years ago - if a new FF comes in to Engine 118 and the only coat that fit him was from R18 - it made no sense. The coats are too expensive to alter, so for me, I think they shouldn't show ranks unless it's a snap-on or velcro patch. At least then you can swap it when the time comes with the successor. Along the same lines, I'm over the whole white coat thing too. When I get done as Chief I will have a coat that's still good for another 4 years that I can't wear - wasted money unless my successor is as portly as I am.
Helmet fronts with the rank for CURRENT officers is fine by me. An Ex-Lieutenant or Ex-Captain is still a senior guy in that house, and he doesn't need a special helmet front to show it - IMHO. Our Line Officers have white helmet fronts, Deputy Chiefs have gold ones and Chiefs have the white hats. Simple, and we all know who is who. If an Officer isn't on the rig, then it is the senior member in that company that should be riding shotgun, and that person will identify themselves as the "Officer" of their rig on the radio at a scene.
Our firefighters now have helmet fronts with their company # on the insert and their department ID# on the line below. If FF so-and-so transfers to another company, he just pops out the two brass pins and puts in his new company's insert. Done.
Like a few of you said, our dress uniforms should be the place to recognize past officers.

May I say, what we have here is a "culture clash" of sorts. Most of us know the following, but for the edification of the member who asked the question;
There is no such thing as a career chief's turnout coat that says "Ex Chief." The only way a career chief would still be wearing a turnout coat and not be a chief anymore, would be through a demotion (voluntary or involuntary) and the new coat he would be wearing would display his current rank, or through a move from being a career Chief to a career Commissioner.
In volunteer fire departments, the selection of chiefs is a different process than in the career civil service system (which is primarily based on testing). The election of a chief does carry a significance to the members of those departments. Words like "honor" carry a lot of weight in both systems. But, a member would probably say he was honored to have been selected to serve as chief, and therefore might chose to wear a turnout coat that displays "Ex Chief", as a way of showing his gratitude to the department for that honor as they see it. Additionally, the other members of the department will probably recognize that "Ex Chief" simply by leaving the "Ex" out of the title. It's a way for other members to show their respect; especially if they believe that "Ex Chief" was a good chief while in title.
In this particular instance, there is no way to lump the two different systems together, or for that matter to even try and compare them. They are distinctly different, so maybe we should just note those differences.....maybe not judge them....and just say.....
"It Is What It Is."

Agreed. But what is truly achieved when it is aired out on a public forum? We all know we have room to improve, but when we specifically call out certain agencies or certain incidents we go against what the original intent of this forum was! When Seth started this forum we could talk tactics and ways to improve things without hating on one agency or a call. Now it's a free for all where everytime a photo is posted, it gets criticized. When an Incident Alert is posted, times are questioned.
If you really want to question something, ask those involved. Airing it out for all to see is a HUGE MISTAKE! People are going to get in trouble, the press is going to print things that are hurtful and non-constructive, and the public is going to think we're all a bunch of cry babies!
Bring back the old EMTBravo.net where we would praise in public, and insult/question eachother in private!
It's bad enough that morons go on Facebook, Twitter, etc. airing out departmental issues, insulting other departments, etc. We're all suppost to be BROTHERS - grow up and speak to those you have an issue with, don't air out your dirty laundry for everyone to see! I'm tired of seeing guys getting their rocks off by seeing others look bad.
I was one of the original members here, I check it more than once a day and try to always be positive. But over the past couple of months I find myself losing interest. Let's put aside the BS and actually offer constructive criticism without the finger-pointing.
Life is stressful enough, we don't need another avenue of disappointment.

I did a power point training with another member of my Dept. a few weeks back for one of the companies in my Dept. that lost a lot of senior members the past 5 years or so. They do not have that senior leadership to "crack the whip" so to speak and most of the company is younger and do not "get" the fire service as a whole to this point.
Some of the topics we brought up were if you associate yourself with an organization, like a FD, Paid or Volunteer, all of your actions, right or wrong, reflect back to the organization. From responding to the firehouse with your blue light and driving like an idiot, to wearing FD t-shirts, jackets in public and having your actions embarrass yourself and the FD. ( I once heard it said that firefighters should have a good set of party/drinking clothes...nothing that says FD anywhere on it!)
We discussed a new topic that we never had to worry about 10 years ago, the ramifications of posting on social networks like face book, and how far is to far. Fair or not all the negative stuff you do comes back to the Department, including posting certain things and being part of certain "groups". I would say most Departments do not have a policy in regards to face book or others of this sort, and it is your right to say what you want, but a line must be drawn at some point when your face book page has a large logo of your Department patch, but you are also posting negative statements about the Dept. or fire service in general. And this does not have to be about your own Dept., it can be comments about your neighboring dept.s. Even harmless jokes or an "inside joke" to a friend from another Dept.may be taken the wrong way by others of that same Dept. Stuff like this travels fast, and it's not just the young guys who are taking part in this social network. I have experienced this first hand, and stress to our new members to be very careful what you post.
News people are not stupid, if they get word of something negative about your Dept. they may search out a Dept. roster, most websites list all active members, and search individual members who may have a face book page. If you post the "dirty laundry" for all to see, you have just helped towards more negative publicity towards your dept. Not to mention if what you say is not the truth or "stretch the truth a bit", the news people will run with this and write about it.
It's very hard to enforce the "what goes on in the firehouse, stays in the firehouse" these days. These things could come back to haunt you later in your career as well. firefighters have good memories, a controversy you were part of when you were a rookie and could care less can come back and sabotage you as you try and rise through the ranks one day, both paid and Volunteer. To the young guys out there your proud to show and tell the world who you are and what organization you are part of, but think twice before you hit the "send", "join" or "accept" buttons!

Like I said in the other thread, check the egos at the door. I'm taking this from my end of the emergency services spectrum. I don't care how many halls you've crawled down, how many babies you've delivered,or traumatic arrests you've worked, how many high profile collars you've made. I don't care how many big ones you've worked on the radio. I don't care if you're paid, or pride is your paycheck. Be it a rockin truck company in Southern Westchester or a Vollie Trolley doing two runs a week. You're no different than me or anyone else.
We all have a common goal, and that's doing the right thing by our peers, and the people we have a sworn obligation to protect. There's always room to learn, critique, or just show off some pictures from our latest travels. Let's keep that in mind.
Here's my opinion on Facebook. There are some real despicable groups on there, that are much more worthy of the time and effort placed on the anti-Seth G crowd.(F the Troops, anyone??) Like it or not, the people who own these groups have every right to put forth whatever they want to say. We agree, we disagree, we think that person should be taken behind the woodshed, whatever. I have no problem with Facebook, as it has gotten me back in touch with a lot of friends from my childhood, high school years, and my military years. It also got me in touch with my girlfriend, who was a classmate of mine in elementary school nearly 30 years ago.(Although at first she didn't remember me and I had to point to our 4th grade picture to remind her who I was.)
In the little more than two years since I joined, I have been able to see and spend time with people who meant, and mean the world to me. Either in person, or online. I've shared in triumph, tragedy, and flat out silliness. It's not a bad thing, nor at times, is it a good thing. It's what you make it. You can use it like any other website out there, to your advantage. I use it, and this site, and a few other sites to my advantage. Just a little nugget of something to ponder.
Excellent point brought up about how your actions, positive or negative reflect on the department you are a member of. That includes Facebook. I have already seen what complaining about the mess that FDNY Communications has become can do. We had a page which was nothing more than a bitchfest about this that and the other. Things got posted, it got back to downtown, investigations were launched, and people got some stern talking to's and the page disappeared. If any of you have me on your FB Friends list, you know most of my work related posts are just saying I'm off to work, looking for some fun at work(which is in rare supply these days) and, every other Thursday, the famous line from Goodfellas, FU PAY ME!!!! There's a few pictures of me, off duty, and intoxicated, but hey, I'm 36 years old and I am allowed to drink. It all boils down to using common sense. What would you want your family or friends to see?? Secondly, do you want to put something up there that is going to bring discredit upon you, or the Department you serve?? Spin from Elmont makes a great point, people in this job have looooooooong memories. There's crap that I did when I was a probie, and a dispatcher, and a supervisor that has not been forgotten. One Aw poop will wipe out any Atta Boy's you've had.

Well that wouldn't be you with your 20 posts in two years. Thanks for the positive reinforcement towards the effort the rest of us who don't write IA's but try and contribute something helpful for the board and the membership. We certainly do appreciate your positive feedback! And I agree, we have some great IA writers. But to criticize guys, lump everyone in as a bunch of gum flappers?
What's up with that?

Right... OK so why are you not volunteering in your town? Maybe you should move if you want to volunteer in one of these communities. It is also a pointless rant and really people have bigger issues on this site then some kid who cant get in a volly department. Make the step up to the paid department.

I was surprised that you all still bring this up every year. It's the same thing. "Hey look at these knuckleheads on top of the rig" Or "look there are 27 people on the ladder truck". We all know that it is wrong. This is not anything new. I also like the idea of a safety officer out in the staging area who can pick out the Disqualifications before hand. Then at the end right before the awards you read the DQ roll call and let everyone know that they failed to heed the safety rules. No trophy, no awards just good old fashion ridicule. Is this going a little too far, ya clearly, but you all know it would be a great idea.
Also I was surprised to see that the guys were not tan and covered in Hawaiian Tropic and glitter. I know they love that stuff down on the Jersey shore
But really stay off the roof guys and stay safe.

Recruitment for Firefighter
The City of Stamford is recruiting for the position of Firefighter. Applications and further information will be available on Friday, January 22, 2010.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
· At time of application, must have graduated from an accredited high school or received an equivalency diploma (G.E.D.) from a recognized authority.
· By date of written examination (4/10/10), must be at least 18 years of age.
· At time of application, must have a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) card dated no earlier than 3/21/09 from an accredited IAFF CPAT testing site OR be registered with the Connecticut Fire Academy for the May 2010 physical ability test . Those who have to take the ability test will be admitted to the written exam, but must pass the physical ability test by the end of May 2010 in order for their written exam results to be considered for purposes of this selection process. Further information regarding this requirement is included in the application supplement.
· At time of appointment, possession of a valid driver’s license.
The last filing date for applications is Friday, February 19, 2010. A completed “City of Stamford Application for Examination or Employment-Firefighter #10-01”; Page 3 of “Application Supplement 10-01”; and copy of CPAT card or CPAT registration as described in the application packet must be submitted or postmarked to the Human Resources Division on or before February 19, 2010 to be considered eligible for purposes of this examination. A resume and/or other correspondence will not be considered as equivalent to an application.
As of January 22, 2010, the application materials and further information will be available on the City website (www.cityofstamford.org). Application packets will also be available in the Stamford Government Center Lobby and at Stamford Fire Headquarters, 629 Main St.
The starting base salary for Firefighter, effective 7/1/10, is $45,182.
We ask that all City employees relay this information to people they think would be interested. Thank you.
Human Resources Division