FFEMT150

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

Kids in High school belong in bed well rested for the school day. They don't need the added stress of responding to emergencies, nor do they need the distraction. If your dept. relies on 18 year olds in school, then they're in trouble.....

School rules before FD rules for students who have yet to graduate from high school.
If the FD is that dependent on FF's who are still in high school, then the FD bears responsibility to find itself some qualified people who are beyond high school. The school is not cutting into the FD's resources; the FD placed too many eggs in one basket.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

I think that before you take to the keyboard you should get the facts. You make quite a serious allegation of your department being influenced by an outside source, do you know this to be true? Question these types of things in house before going to the all mighty internet.
Now as far as the policy, good job! They are kids in school. Schooling is required for a job, a job is required to feed a family. I don't think my volunteer department had ever bought dinner for my kids.

It's a matter of want vs. need. If there aren't any buildings in your district over 2 stories you may not need a 110 foot tower ladder, but you want it! Practicality is the answer. Seth originally asked if a department who pieced together a $1 beater should replace it with a new one for $400,000. I ask why? Can you justify a $400,000 purchase? Ask yourself if the equipment on this rig can be moved to another. Can we downsize the rig? Can we go pre-owned? Do we even need it? All things that need to be considered when replacing any vehicle.

It's a matter of want vs. need. If there aren't any buildings in your district over 2 stories you may not need a 110 foot tower ladder, but you want it! Practicality is the answer. Seth originally asked if a department who pieced together a $1 beater should replace it with a new one for $400,000. I ask why? Can you justify a $400,000 purchase? Ask yourself if the equipment on this rig can be moved to another. Can we downsize the rig? Can we go pre-owned? Do we even need it? All things that need to be considered when replacing any vehicle.

It's a matter of want vs. need. If there aren't any buildings in your district over 2 stories you may not need a 110 foot tower ladder, but you want it! Practicality is the answer. Seth originally asked if a department who pieced together a $1 beater should replace it with a new one for $400,000. I ask why? Can you justify a $400,000 purchase? Ask yourself if the equipment on this rig can be moved to another. Can we downsize the rig? Can we go pre-owned? Do we even need it? All things that need to be considered when replacing any vehicle.

It's a matter of want vs. need. If there aren't any buildings in your district over 2 stories you may not need a 110 foot tower ladder, but you want it! Practicality is the answer. Seth originally asked if a department who pieced together a $1 beater should replace it with a new one for $400,000. I ask why? Can you justify a $400,000 purchase? Ask yourself if the equipment on this rig can be moved to another. Can we downsize the rig? Can we go pre-owned? Do we even need it? All things that need to be considered when replacing any vehicle.

Kevin was a great fire fighter, a great mentor and an all around great man. His passing is a loss for the entire community he served. Kevin always had a smile and a kind word. He worked hard to provide for his family and would give anything to help someone in need. I'm going to miss you Kevin. Go easy brother.

On spots are intended to get you to a place you can safely chain the rig. Too many people are relying on them full time. They come in handy when you find icy little spots or get caught in a fast storm. That's about it. Gimme a good old wrap any day.

Send that one to firefighter close calls moose. Gotta be careful these days. From what I'm gathering in your post she seems like she will fit into the FD well.

Always worth it. Can't get called if you don't test.

That problem can be easily fixed. Eliminate the beer at parades; serve diet soda and bottled water. If you need a drink (alcohol) hit up the local bar; its good for the local economy as well.

My biggest problem with parades is that they become the focal point of the department. Come home without a best overall and it's nothing but bitching and finger pointing.
The alcohol? Big problem! Some guys just can't hold their booze. The beer starts flowing and the beer muscles grow. No time for crap like that. They also strip the district of manpower. I remember the Lake george parade a few years ago, there were several departments that couldn't get out for their alarms the entire weekend. I also remember running calls that weekend with myself, two other interior members and a driver. No officers or other interior guys around.
Want to have fun in the fire service? Train together or bring back soft ball.

I agree with you in that every department should make firefighting their priority, but I don't think parades are why many of them don't, parades are but a symptom. When you come right down to it, any department that places attending parades over firefighting is suffering a far larger problem within their organization so whether or not they attend them won't make any difference on the fireground.

I'm all for a good parade. I care about two things when it comes to them.
1) Behave like a professional. Don't do anything to embarrass the uniform you are wearing.
2) Ensure that your town/district has proper coverage. Parade in your reserve piece or a non specialty piece. I. E. don't take your only aerial or heavy rescue two counties away leaving your constituents without coverage that they have paid for and expect. Same goes for manpower.
Other than that, have at it!

Well here goes! The thread I'm starting could be positive or negitive.
Parades are important social function to all Emergency Services, not only showing off equipment and members, but also to meet other departments, talk old school stories, and be with friends and family. Now the bad. Paid or Volunteer it is always hard to get numbers in line to march never mind the cost of a band to lead your department with ony 10 in line, and of course there is food and drinks to be provided. And with any combination of adult beverages ( at a bar or brought in a cooler ) the beer muscles flex and the load mouths come out. In other threads in this forum the ex-brewster fire chief has been talked about. First no Paid Firefighter should ever bad mouth Volunteer Firefighters at after parade gatherings with alcohol. I've marched in New Yorks St. Patricks Day Parades ( and I know almost eveyone has marched or hung out ) I've been and seen some nasty fights either verbal or physical, and I've been to White Plains St. Patricks Day Parade ( nobody Paid or Volly ) can say anything, talk about drinking. So the question out there is what to do about Parades, should it be a dry parade or drink in uniform so we can make our departments look like crap when we get into a problem. Never mind Lake George for the Hudson Valley Parade! Duffys Bar is the bar to end all bars for firemen/firewomen talk about fun and some good fights. Well lets see what you think !
Parades Good or Bad?
Drinking at Patades, Yes or No?
And is it worth for a department to pay to go to a parade with a hand full of members?
Let the debate begin.

Good or bad?
Drinking: Yes or no?
It really does not matter what people think the answer is. There are two "new" problems to consider.
The first problem has been addressed in other threads. A few years ago, what happened at the parade, would stay at the parade. But, as other threads show, nowadays people feelings get hurt and they complain. Whatever happened to being an adult about it. It seems that train left the station a while ago.
The second problem, which I have not seen a thread on, but I am sure there will be one soon enough, deals with what happens when someone's antics are caught on tape or confessed on social media? I am sure it has happened already, but if one of those incidents ends up with a bit of airplay on Youtube, you can bet the bosses and Insurers will have something to say. It is only a matter of time.
If some department gets embarrassed, or worse, once or twice, you may see different attitudes and rules towards alcohol.

maybe you should grow up! do you have issue.s with people of color and what they speak?.this is what this web site is coming to now?