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Engine 6 is still running a quint.
 
Engine 5's former quint is being used as a reserve.
 
Both rigs are tired and will probably be retired in the next few years.
 
 
 
 

Engine 6 is still running a quint.
 
Engine 5's former quint is being used as a reserve.
 
Both rigs are tired and will probably be retired in the next few years.
 
 
 
 

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
The only problem has been from those with a fear of change from past practice. There are many on both sides of this equation that suffer from a lack of exposure to other and much larger systems and are often consumed with only accepting things being done as they witnessed solely within the confines of the Stamford system.
 
Since the operational and reorganization changes that first started with the formation of Engine 7 in 1997, I can recall those that were quick to scream that the sky would fall if this or that happened....
 
To my knowledge, the sky has not fallen...yet. In Stamford's case, quick change occurs slowly, but with the finalization of this contract, many new changes will occur to the Stamford fire service. 

 
The only problem has been from those with a fear of change from past practice. There are many on both sides of this equation that suffer from a lack of exposure to other and much larger systems and are often consumed with only accepting things being done as they witnessed solely within the confines of the Stamford system.
 
Since the operational and reorganization changes that first started with the formation of Engine 7 in 1997, I can recall those that were quick to scream that the sky would fall if this or that happened....
 
To my knowledge, the sky has not fallen...yet. In Stamford's case, quick change occurs slowly, but with the finalization of this contract, many new changes will occur to the Stamford fire service. 

 
I don't blame the union either, nor do I think they are a scapegoat, the leadership of 786  is just doing what they should be doing...and that is looking out for their membership and expanding it if possible. No, while I might have issue with some of the tactics employed over the years, I in no way blame them for the problems with Stamford's VFDs, that fault lies squarely with the VFD leaderships. If there is one complaint it is that in many instances the union seemed unwilling to negotiate a solution, but here again that is a tactical decision on their part and quite frankly a good one at that. I said earlier (and Alan you sat in more than a few BFD meetings where it was plainly stated), the solution for the VFDs is to meet the issues cited by the union head on and accept them as fact. Yeah I know the standard argument...for everything a VFD does to meet a standard, the union will only demand the standards be changed and more difficult to attain. Been hearing that one for years and I'll say now what I said then...that's a bullsh!t excuse. Let's be realistic here, had we done even half of what was proposed on numerous occasions, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now. Why? Because the VFDs would be responding, they would be trained to a standard and accountable for that training, their officers would be able to show a quantifiable level of competency, apparatus fleets would have been reduced, and a staffing matrix developed and in place utilizing all volunteers collectively to ensure if not 100% station coverage than at least evenings and weekends. It's all here in these 70 odd pages. Nothing was unattainable except the willingness and courage to put the residents first, face the challenges head on and do something about them.
 
Leaders lead...ours unfortunately, living in their fantasy of a bygone age where politicians and citizens alike favored them, were incapable of doing so. They simply were not up to the task. They refused to see the writing on the wall, despite all of the pleas by some of us to do so before it was too late. In their arrogance they seemed to think they could somehow turn back the clock, ignoring all of the evidence that was right before their eyes to the contrary. Such was their folly, the results of which are now starting to hit home..
 
 
You mention that the next generation, not knowing the  old system, will be a saving grace. Well in some respects I think that's may be true, but I think they will find a landscape far different than the one you and I inhabited in terms of what they can and cannot do. In my crystal ball I see a future Stamford volunteer fire service that is nothing more than a "farm team" of bottle changers and hose packers dutifully servicing their career counterparts while awaiting their "turn" to get hired...which by the way most of them won't.

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Update - The Firefighter's contract was passed by the Board of Representatives tonight with a vote of 20 in agreement and 4 abstentions. 

Update - The Firefighter's contract was passed by the Board of Representatives tonight with a vote of 20 in agreement and 4 abstentions. 

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pete, I hate to sound like an extremist, but many (such as yourself) have invested time and personal capital to try and prevent this type of continued behavior and hostility.
 
To try and sabotage a negotiation that has taken more than 5 years for the Union to reach is nothing short of a "nuclear" sized mistake on the part of these 5 "chiefs".
 
I am not surprised that a couple of these people would continue to fan the flames in Stamford, but having all 5 take part appears to be a collective effort by all remaining volunteers.
 
Disagreements over each departments operations, tactics, hose lays, policies, vehicle colors, etc. are understandable within the fire service....attempting to affect the livelihood of the families of 280 union members is inexcusable and something that will not fade with time.
 
If the volunteer Chiefs wanted to unite Stamford career firefighters behind one common enemy for many, many years to come, they will have finally succeeded at something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I find it interesting that Stamford volunteers that can't find common ground for issues such as joint-training, accountability, staffing, radio procedures, etc; but always seemed to form a concrete bond and unite whenever the City, Union, or City Fire Department can be attacked.
 
Volunteer firefighters wiring a letter against a tentative agreement after it has been reached in good faith between the City and the Union....
 
The same volunteers then go on to create a telephone campaign to City Representatives to spread more fear and lies about this agreement????
 
I have often read here how volunteers are often unfairly attacked by the big bad IAFF or how the IAFF has these (special pamphlets) that encourage hostility toward volunteers (ALL BS).
 
Yet, here is a glaring and very tangible example of another case were a handful of pathetic volunteer Fire Chiefs have attempted to affect the livelihoods of more than 280 union firefighters. Much like Port Chester, jealousy appears to be the number one value being promoted by some of these organizations. 
 
I can think of no more clear example of why the term "RIVAL ORGANIZATION" exists.
 
Regardless of what action occurs from the Stamford Board of Representatives, the damage done by these 5 clowns will assure an epic fissure will exist between career and volunteers in Stamford. For these 5 ninnies have managed to instantly erode any chance for cohesion within the system. Something that I suspect they knew full well when concocting their letter.
 
 
 
 

I find it interesting that Stamford volunteers that can't find common ground for issues such as joint-training, accountability, staffing, radio procedures, etc; but always seemed to form a concrete bond and unite whenever the City, Union, or City Fire Department can be attacked.
 
Volunteer firefighters wiring a letter against a tentative agreement after it has been reached in good faith between the City and the Union....
 
The same volunteers then go on to create a telephone campaign to City Representatives to spread more fear and lies about this agreement????
 
I have often read here how volunteers are often unfairly attacked by the big bad IAFF or how the IAFF has these (special pamphlets) that encourage hostility toward volunteers (ALL BS).
 
Yet, here is a glaring and very tangible example of another case were a handful of pathetic volunteer Fire Chiefs have attempted to affect the livelihoods of more than 280 union firefighters. Much like Port Chester, jealousy appears to be the number one value being promoted by some of these organizations. 
 
I can think of no more clear example of why the term "RIVAL ORGANIZATION" exists.
 
Regardless of what action occurs from the Stamford Board of Representatives, the damage done by these 5 clowns will assure an epic fissure will exist between career and volunteers in Stamford. For these 5 ninnies have managed to instantly erode any chance for cohesion within the system. Something that I suspect they knew full well when concocting their letter.
 
 
 
 

I find it interesting that Stamford volunteers that can't find common ground for issues such as joint-training, accountability, staffing, radio procedures, etc; but always seemed to form a concrete bond and unite whenever the City, Union, or City Fire Department can be attacked.
 
Volunteer firefighters wiring a letter against a tentative agreement after it has been reached in good faith between the City and the Union....
 
The same volunteers then go on to create a telephone campaign to City Representatives to spread more fear and lies about this agreement????
 
I have often read here how volunteers are often unfairly attacked by the big bad IAFF or how the IAFF has these (special pamphlets) that encourage hostility toward volunteers (ALL BS).
 
Yet, here is a glaring and very tangible example of another case were a handful of pathetic volunteer Fire Chiefs have attempted to affect the livelihoods of more than 280 union firefighters. Much like Port Chester, jealousy appears to be the number one value being promoted by some of these organizations. 
 
I can think of no more clear example of why the term "RIVAL ORGANIZATION" exists.
 
Regardless of what action occurs from the Stamford Board of Representatives, the damage done by these 5 clowns will assure an epic fissure will exist between career and volunteers in Stamford. For these 5 ninnies have managed to instantly erode any chance for cohesion within the system. Something that I suspect they knew full well when concocting their letter.
 
 
 
 

It's not that the Chiefs "Did not save the jobs". It's that when the mayor said: "before we proceed with the budget amendments, is the fire chief ok with these changes?" Once the chief said yes, they moved forward with the budget change. 
 
They never said the words: "layoffs, fire department, career firefighters, etc. so they had already planned this out, because they were afraid to even mention it in front of the public. We all understand that at times the chief has to live with what's been given to them. But to not complain at all? Not to fight for your department? Not to simply agree that this is completely acceptable. Particularly when their has been a running battle for years.

This afternoon ,members of the Port Chester Firefighters Local paid a visit to village hall. Along with the members were signatures of approximately 4000  citizens. This forces the village of PC to have a referendum to bring back the union firefighters. Only 3000 were needed, went beyond and got 4000. Their brothers and sisters from locals across the tristate hit the pavement and helped reach their goal. All I could say is job well done..

This afternoon Port Chester local turned in 4000 signatures from village citizens, with help from their brother and sisters from locals throughout Westchester. This is 1000 over amount needed to force a referendum , so village taxpayers have their say to bring back the professionals.This shows that you can't pull suprises that effect public safety. So the village board can eat their words and the chiefs can have a good cry tonite. Job welll done.....

Response videos are the best. Thank me for my service 
 

FD7807 - I don't have to claim anything......your hero (I mean zero) Fire Chief was the stooge that stood before his personnel and went on a tirade encouraging vandalism and other types of obscene conduct against a Union member. 
 
Care to comment on why a Fire Chief would behave so irrationally or irresponsibly?
 
Is his behavior acceptable to you? Do you find this normal? 
 
Rather than rant about Unions and demonstrate your personal animus or jealousy for career that you could next have, try and build a case to defend the actions of this Chief and his cohorts.
 
This discussion will work far better if you actually stay on the issues that are tangible.
 
Save the Ben Franklin and taxpayer mantra for your next XXXL T-shirt printing or belly-bumping amongst your pals in the beer garden. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I like how some here will continue to try and sugar-coat what this story is about (very predictable).
 
It is also cute how one clown had such a "strong" defense of his fellow volunteers that he blurted out the "get a life, get a job" rebuttal (that kind of response could get you on the fast track for a Chief's position in Port Chester). 
 
Sorry folks...."it is what it is"..... and that is a poorly orchestrated plan to retaliate against Union firefighters for blowing the whistle about actual problems within someone's little kingdom. 
 
I know that many volunteers have traditionally cherished the "victim role" in the endless career vs. volunteer saga, but this piece of history should not be looked upon for anything more that exactly what it is = textbook anti-union animus . 
 
This story will not have a happy ending for those who had a hand in the release of these firefighters.
 
 

As a starting point.....Change the name of the thread to VOLUNTEER VS. CAREER. 
 
This entire issue was manufactured by a small group of completely incompetent volunteer fools wearing Fire Chief costumes from the Port Chester FD.
 
Sorry if the truth may hurt for some of the pro-volunteer carrot snappers on this board, but this story is going to sting for awhile (as it should).
 
Contrary to the claim of one "dinosaur" here......This has everything to do with career and volunteer relationships and the absolute jealousy that a few complete losers from PCFD attempted to enact upon 8 unionized firefighters who did not conform to their failing regime. 
 
Speaking out earned them being thrown out.
 
Except, the labor world is a bit harder to con than the archaic volunteer fiefdoms that these pieces of trash have matriculated through.
 
Open check book PCFD.
 
Elections have consequences. 
 
 

FD7807 - I don't have to claim anything......your hero (I mean zero) Fire Chief was the stooge that stood before his personnel and went on a tirade encouraging vandalism and other types of obscene conduct against a Union member. 
 
Care to comment on why a Fire Chief would behave so irrationally or irresponsibly?
 
Is his behavior acceptable to you? Do you find this normal? 
 
Rather than rant about Unions and demonstrate your personal animus or jealousy for career that you could next have, try and build a case to defend the actions of this Chief and his cohorts.
 
This discussion will work far better if you actually stay on the issues that are tangible.
 
Save the Ben Franklin and taxpayer mantra for your next XXXL T-shirt printing or belly-bumping amongst your pals in the beer garden. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FD7807 - I don't have to claim anything......your hero (I mean zero) Fire Chief was the stooge that stood before his personnel and went on a tirade encouraging vandalism and other types of obscene conduct against a Union member. 
 
Care to comment on why a Fire Chief would behave so irrationally or irresponsibly?
 
Is his behavior acceptable to you? Do you find this normal? 
 
Rather than rant about Unions and demonstrate your personal animus or jealousy for career that you could next have, try and build a case to defend the actions of this Chief and his cohorts.
 
This discussion will work far better if you actually stay on the issues that are tangible.
 
Save the Ben Franklin and taxpayer mantra for your next XXXL T-shirt printing or belly-bumping amongst your pals in the beer garden.