nfd2004

I started with the First email over a year and a half ago. The days of talking are over. At least as far as I'm concerned. There's been talking going on for years. Certainly within this year and a half everybody is fully aware of the conditions that have existed. Yet despite that we see a total disregard for peoples lives or their property. Two days right after that newspaper story comes out is a clear show of total disregard for any body other than themselves. I have about two dozen emails giving some very detailed facts. We also now have a Front Page article describing a very serious condition which exist. Not only firefighters aware of this now, but so is the public fully aware of it. I also have friends outside the city limits monitoring this as well. Unless something very positive happens in writing, the next move is to seek legal action in a court of law and hold the Fire Commander fully accountable for his/her actions. I made that perfectly clear in my most recent email to a few city council members and have asked them to forward that to the chiefs and city officials. If there is anybody on this site that might be willing to offer their suggestions here is a list of Volunteer Fire Departments within Norwich, Ct. You can contact them through their web site. They all need to come up with some very positive quick answers, in WRITING. 1) Yantic Vol FD 2) East Great Plains Vol FD 3) Taftville FD 4) Laurel Hill FD 5) Occum FD

THEY JUST DON'T CARE ! ! ! On Tuesday July 5th, another Working Fire. Only TWO Days after a Front Page headline story was in a local newspaper titled: "Norwich's Fractured Fire Service". This July 5th fire occurred almost across the street from the Occum Volunteer Fire Dept., one of Five Volunteer fire departments within the city, along with one fully paid career staff. On the initial call the assignment called for a response of this Occum Fire Dept, as well as the Taftville Vol FD. On arrival of that Occum FD Chief he reported a Working Fire and smoke showing. Initally he requested the Yantic Vol FD to man their station as well as the Baltic FD (within the nearby Town of Sprague). Within minutes later he requested the Baltic FD to respond to the fire, as well as the Yantic FD to respond as the FAST CO. While enroute, the Yantic FD was reassigned to go to work on arrival. With the Mohegan Tribal FD (from Mohegan Sun Casino FD) now being assigned as the FAST Co. Yet, the Norwich Fire Depts Engine 2, staffed with three firefighters is actually 1 1/2 miles closer than that Unstaffed Yantic FD which is six miles from the fire scene. In addition, Norwich Fire Headquarters, staffed with Nine Firefighters and a Battalion chief is the exact same distance as that Yantic Fire Dept with being 6.0 miles from this fire scene. About a year and a half ago, I started documenting several incidents in which the Norwich Fire Department with its 12/13 member on duty staff was closer to several incidents, yet they were NEVER ALLOWED to respond. Those incidents are listed as follows: 1) Grease fire at a nursing home 2) Major chemical leak at a Food Warehouse 3) House fire with children trapped 4) Occupied building fire at a "Half Way House", home to several occupants with mental or physical disabilities Now we add this apartment fire. It should also be known that in every major event within this city covered by that career firer department, it is ALWAYS one of the local volunteer fire depts. that are used as mutual aid per department policy. Each and every one of these incidents have been fully documented. There has been years before of this behavior as well. The time is long gone for talking. Unfortunately I'm convinced it will take a tragic event followed by some legal action to change things. Should such an event happen, I think it is safe to say that it will be the Fire Commander in charge of the scene who will be fully accountable for his/her actions.

Thank you "young man", I appreciate that. Only a few days ago, a new acting Police Chief took over as the commander of this city's police dept. That new police chief wears TWO hats. One as Police Chief and the other as Chief of one of the Volunteer fire departments that responded to an occupied building fire right down the street (only 1.8 miles away) from a career firehouse with nine firefighters and a battalion chief on duty. Yet it was "his" decision to rather call for mutual aid from one volunteer dept 5 miles away, and another 8 miles away (from a different town). Now we have that same individual as Acting Police Chief, who is hopeful of that permanent position. Is this the kind of leader a city would want to be in charge of it's Police Dept ? A man who was very well aware of the problems that existed within it's fire department, yet did absolutely nothing to improve it. A man who was directly involved in one of the main causes for this newspaper article coming out. And by the way, as it appeared in that newspaper, the story was given front page headlines and also given another Full Page coverage as the story continued. Here is what I say about this chief of two hats. Every one of us is entitled to make a mistake once in awhile. In this case, there is no doubt that as fire chief he has made a very serious mistake. But no one was hurt. Had that one particular fire been later at night it could very well have been much different. In addition to that, this fire occurred in a community run "Half Way House". A place where people with both mental and physical disabilities stay for recovery. It has very limited staff on duty. I know this because I work a part time job there on the campus where this is located. So here is a "second chance" he should maybe consider. As Police Chief and Fire Chief, he is in the perfect position to correct a problem that has existed for years within the Fire Service of Norwich (Ct). The timing could not have been better. Let him join in with leading the way in the protection of these citizens from both serious crime and serious fires. This week, after the holiday, I intend to follow up with our city leaders on the release of this story. I am not about to let it die. In my next email I will suggest to those city officials how I see an individual who could really become a Role Model Leader when it comes to providing the most important services to it's city residents. As an individual he is free to choose which path he takes. His police position can NOT be held back for the sole purpose of his fire service leadership. However, I do think that should he decide to take what I consider to be the right choice and speak up for improvements within the fire service, he could clearly become one very well respected leader within this city.

Pete this thing started to blow up after several serious incidents took place with a total lack of concern for it's citizens or the members of the fire depts involved. Basically there was an out right refusal to have that career depat respond no matter how close they were or no matter a fire or a Haz Mat incident. After watching this kind of behavior go on I decided to try and do something about it. It just put too many people in danger with no regard whatsoever with their safety or concern. I kept my own records and ended up going to this reporter after nothing was even considered to change things. This went on for about a year and a half. I finally decided with nothing at all being done by anybody to take on the system myself. No one wanted to get involved. The only thing I asked for was to send the closest depts. Just common sense. It didn't happen. I am digging in for the long haul. Even it's its by myself. There is no valid argument for keeping things the way they are today. If the time comes where there should be one fire dept, then I'll move onto that next plan. My commitment is to the people of this city. Their lives come first. We can discuss how it should be paid for later. But first things first. Basically tiny little Baby Steps at first.

I can assure all involved. I know of ONE Individual who will get involved. His only problem is that he wishes he did this a long time ago. If so maybe one civilian would be alive today instead of dying in a house fire in 2008/2009 (?). That fire got no response from that Norwich, Ct FD by virtue of some imaginary dividing line within the same city. The fact remained that it was allowed to go on and often even condoned by city officials as well as a group of firefighters and their officers. Add to the fact that the firehouse closest to respond was that Staffed Firehouse with 9 firefighters and 1 Batt Chief. I will assure everyone that if this happens again, I will encourage any innocent to take legal action against the city, the fire dept and the commanding officer in charge. My word is here in writing. I have many friends that live here as well who are aware of this problem.

Thank you "10512". Now that this is known public information, should no improvements take place by this city administration, there is a public record of this. As the individual who first contacted this reporter regarding this silly kids game, I have several emails which were sent in much more detail ( I have shared with others ) than was able to be printed in this story. My emails included videos of time as a factor to life safety involving a fire. Everything is very well documented. Based on some of those emails, the city politicians and the local fire chiefs could be held accountable should something go wrong in the future. There is a long history of such incidents as well. In one case, a civilian died in a fire in 2008/2009 (?) while mutual aid was requested from several unstaffed farther away places. All while a firehouse with 9 fulltime firefighters much closer never responded. The same firefighters that were required to spend 16 weeks, fulltime, in a fire academy to learn the skills of their job. I believe that some of the local politicians realize this is a very serious problem and needs to be addressed. If not, a city along with it's fire departments, led by some of those fire chiefs could find themselves in a very serious position.

I must admit, it's pretty tough to argue that case clearly spelled out in black and white. So that is now well understood. So what do we tell the neighbors who see a fire truck show up as they scream; "There's somebody in that building". Do you tell them help is on the way ? The same one's that just applauded you as you marched by in the big parade. The same one's that were glad to buy you that nice big shiny fire truck you pull up in. The same one's who listened to your firefighter stories and could not believe how great you really are. Reminds me of a TRUE story I once heard. While attending a company picnic, one guy starts to talk about the big fire that he fought a few weeks earlier. Of course he apparently didn't know that another firefighter was sitting right there listening to the whole story as he was pounding down a couple of burgers. That other firefighter had not said one word about it, he just listened. The suddenly out of no where, one woman pops up with, "Oh Helen, isn't your husband a firefighter too" ? Well folks the secret was now out. As that hero firefighter asked "Well where are you a firefighter" ? I guess that other FF figured it was time to talk. he said I work at the firehouse right up the street from where that fire was. I was there and as I recall, you actually never went to that fire. "Didn't you just relocate with your company into the empty firehouse up the street" ? "In fact now that I think about it, when we got back, I actually remember seeing you there". "You really were never at that fire". You can just guess what it was like as his balloon just got a pin stuck into it. Motto of the Story. Just be careful what you say to people when it comes to you fighting fires. Make sure you tell them that you are "Exterior Qualified Only". You don't want anybody to get the wrong impression. Believe me, that was NOT the first time either.

I have always been under the impression that the term "Firefighter" or "Fire Officer" covers it all. So where should the certifications and qualifications end. Do we break it down to a firefighter who might be qualified to force a door but not open a roof ? Or a guy who is only qualified to be a backup guy on a hose line and not be on the nozzle. Let's not try to fool ourselves. Or worse, the people we are suppose to serve. "Either you're in it or you're not". A fire truck full of "Exterior Firefighters" will do absolutely NO GOOD to the occupant who is unconscious from heat and smoke, lying on their bedroom floor. Wearing a badge and a uniform as an Exterior Firefighter, marching down Main St in the Fourth of July Parade takes a lot of balls. It's a totally false claim trying to be a firefighter marching in the same group. Maybe carrying a banner saying; "Exterior Qualified Only" would give credit to where credit is due. I have no problem with that, if that's the way it's done. I'm sure we have all gone to fires where the smoke and heat is banked down at the doorway and some guys suddenly "WISH" they were "Exterior Only" firefighters. In those few cases where it has happened, they became "INTERIOR Certified" whether they wanted to or not. That's when they get a real taste of what this "Brotherhood Thing" is really all about.

This is one of Hackensacks SADDEST DAYS. I remember it well. As x635 mentions it, this brought in a new awareness to a new way of fighting fires with truss roof construction. As I remember it, it gave a new awareness to how fires would be fought depending on the type of building construction. We learned that some roofs would actually collapse much quicker than others and in very large sections under fire conditions. A dangerous place to be on or under. It wasn't long after the Hackensack incident in which another truss roof collapsed killing six firefighters. This would be in 1978 when Six FDNY members were operating on a truss roof at a Walbaums Supermarket in Brooklyn, NY. We learned how these light weight truss wooden roofs were held together with gusset plates having very little holding power. Roof construction became a big part of building surveys as well as the age of the building. Newer constructed buildings were actually more dangerous to firefighters than older buildings, by the shear fact that older buildings would hold up much longer. Those of us who were around won't forget seeing the desperate attempt those Hackensack Firefighters made trying to save their Brother Firefighters. Just as those FDNY members did. In fact they breached through a brick wall but it was too late. One firefighter was seen waving good by to his family from that Walbaums roof as they had just dropped him off at work. Minutes later that roof collapsed and he was one of six that were gone.

Now Pete, aka "FFPCogs", if only you and I can put our heads together up here where I'm at and "TRY" to straighten out this DISEASTER where I am. I have been working with a local newspaper reporter over the last few months to try and explain how a wall can be torn down dividing East and West Berlin back in 1989 (?) creating a Free Country. But somehow, they still can't seem to be able to tear down a wall that divides one city in half. And how one of those halves, are actually divided more in 5 totally separate pieces. All within the same city that has One Police Dept., One Public Works Dept, and one single Board of Education Dept. Somebody has suggested those city departments I mention also be divided into the same separate pieces as the fire department. All broken up to cover a place of about 40,000 people. So what are our thoughts on that ? Should this city create five more police depts. etc., rather than have just the one ? It doesn't matter who's lives are involved either, civilians, career firefighters or volunteer firefighters. Or whether it's a major ammonia Haz Mat incident in a large food storage warehouse, with the commander requesting a Haz Mat team from 15 miles away. Rather than the Haz Mat team about 4 miles away. Not even knowing if anybody is lying down in that building sucking in those vapors. Or how about an occupied building fire that gets help from an Unstaffed firehouse 8 miles away, while a Staffed firehouse less than 2 miles away never responds. These are just two examples of the kind of things that a local newspaper article is supposed to talk about in an upcoming story very soon. Of course there are always two sides to every story and I've only told mine. Hopefully we'll get some good reasons on why the fire commanders of these, and a few other incidents called for the type of fire response I tried to explain here. Once that newspaper article comes out, if it explains the story the way I tried to, personally, I think that city will be "forced to make some changes". If not and somebody happens to drop the ball, then it will be: "Oh Lord, why didn't we make some changes for the right reasons rather than let a few guys hold onto their self centered egos. As soon as that newspaper article comes out, I'll do my best to post it here. I won't consider myself the "winner" or the "looser" of however things turnout. Actually the real winners or loosers will be the people affected by this.

Great post Pete. I certainly agree with every point you say. I bet you'd never see that happen !!!! But it just did....

But what about all the other firefighters in Port Chester that didn't back those eight guys. Except for the guys at Washington Hose and Fire Patrol Rescue, nobody else came forward to stand up for what is right and point out to the mayor where he is wrong. It seems to me that this was NOT only the politicians, but a group of firefighters as well, who did NOTHING to try and defend those guys. I just can't buy the fact that it was only the politicians who caused this problem. Most of us know just where those other guys stood and who's corner they were in. A group of firefighters from two companies gained the respect they all deserved. While a large group of our so called Brothers and Sisters sat there and made absolutely no attempt to change things. Well the fact is we all know who our Real Brothers and Sisters are. This was proven since this story first started to appear. Many of us across the country won't soon forget that we are NOT really all Brother/Sister Firefighters. We all may ride on pretty fire trucks with lights and sirens, but we really have nothing in common. There is a very large gap between us.

Sorry, I misread the entire thing. I hope they fight the battle. In the meantime, I hope they are able to find a career firefighters job in a place much more welcoming than Port Chester, NY. A place where people actually care about its citizens and know the value of a quick response to a fire in the very early stages. Perhaps a visit to Youtube can prove my point. Type in Youtube "Bedroom Fire Test" LancashireFire. There you will find a 3 min 57 sec video. This is just how things happen and it shows how quickly a fire can spread within a building making escape impossible. It shows how every second that goes by really DOES make a difference. Whether it is Port Chester or New York City, the heat and smoke is the same. What makes the difference is the response time. What would it be like being trapped upstairs waiting for that first hoseline to be stretched or that first breath of fresh air. Better yet, I think this is it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezJ6SorlpJo Mr Mayor what if you happen to be that guy trapped upstairs. So Mr Mayor, "this ones for you".

Perhaps this mayor had some serious second thoughts. He makes the wrong decision, something goes wrong and he owns it. When reality finally kicked in just maybe he could be in some big trouble some day for getting rid of those eight career firefighters. Maybe those career firefighters are worth more than that million dollars he was willing to spend as he stated earlier. It has been a roller coaster ride for those firefighters. That mayor didn't bring back those firefighters because he was concerned about them or the citizens. He brought those firefighters back out of concern for no one but himself. He would have brought them back much earlier if he was so concern about response times. No Mr Mayor, their Brother and Sister Firefighters were watching very closely. If things had gone sour, "guess who was going to answer for it" ? It was "YOUR DECISION" to get rid of them. You would have a very hard time of convincing me otherwise Mr Mayor. Us career firefighters have seen it many times before and we know your style. The good news is that they are coming back. I hope they hold Port Chester fully accountable for their actions. I also hope that this is a very good lesson to be learned and that it won't happen again. For the volunteer who supported them, you have gained the respect of many career firefighters outside your community. For those that did NOT support them, you know who you are. May I suggest you do your very best to welcome them back. You now have a second chance at trying to mend relations for making a very serious mistake. You just might find that you really have a lot more in common than you think. It's entirely up to you.

"LTFIREPRG", thank you for providing that information. Of course I completely disagree with that decision made and you bring up some very significant facts as well. I would encourage those eight laid off Port Chester Career Firefighters to seek firefighter employment elsewhere. If any of those eight firefighters are interested in doing so, if they would be willing to pass on their email address through a pm, I would certainly do my best in trying to keep an eye open for any career firefighter jobs in the Connecticut area. I had to make a move myself 75 miles away from my home city of Bridgeport because of some affirmative action deal which rob me of the firefighter job I really wanted. Today some 40 years later as a retired firefighter, I think it was one of the best moves that I was ever forced into. Maybe a move for you would be one the best moves as well. "You (PC8) are not alone". Many others have been forced to relocate to do a job they were happy to once do in a place that let them down. In addition Thank You to the members of the Washington Engine and Hose Company and to the members of Fire Patrol and Rescue Co. your support will NOT be forgotten. Many feel that you stood up for what is right and we, as active and retired firefighters respect you for what you've done. I know that I won't forget it and I'm sure many other career firefighters won't forget it as well. I consider you the strongest link in the chain, holding both career and volunteer departments together as ONE. you represent the way a True Brotherhood should be. "All for One and One for All". Unfortunately, for the others the same thing can not be said. They represent the reason why this form of cancer is allowed to grow and do more damage from the Inside - Out. A Brotherhood that turned their backs on eight firefighters and would rather see these guys unemployed. I PROMISE YOU, "we won't forget". We will all be watching your future performance. I also feel very strongly that these eight laid off firefighters should pursue every legal avenue that they have to get every penny they might be entitled to. After winning and collecting anything you deserve, tell Port Chester just where they can go and just leave. I will also look forward to hearing of that Fire Chief who falsified those records for his own benefit. I hope that he is fully accountable to Port Chester for his actions. If there is anybody that should take a hit on here, it is him. In the long run, it will be the citizens of Port Chester who will pay the price. Every day that goes by is one day closer to a tragic event happening that might very well had been prevented had those career firefighters been on the scene with a quick response. We know very well, that now a quick response may NOT always be possible.

This opens an entirely new chapter for the Port Chester Fire Department. Now it seems that some of the earlier negative comments made may appear to actually be true on that fire chiefs leadership qualities. Any members of that department that were aware of such behavior or conditions going on and failed to act, in my eyes are guilty as well. This is now an embarrassment to the entire department. It appears their leader has let them all down. I feel sorry for those that had no idea of any of this kind of activity going on and were only there to help the citizens of their community. The Port Chester Fire Department now has a stigma attached to its name. There apparently id no way that the fire chief can continue in his position. For any new chief coming in, you have inherited a hornets nest. With the right leadership things can and will improve. But it will take time. I will hope that this thought is kept in mind. "Don't blame a whole group of people for the actions of a few". For those of us on the outside looking in, we need to try and remember that.

Maybe that career should have never been started in the first place. As the saying goes; "You can fool some of the people some of the time BUT you can't fool all of the people all of the time". Those career firefighters need to get their jobs back, and I hope they go after everything they are entitled to get. Let the citizens understand exactly who is to blame for this.

The mayor says he wasn't driving it "THAT DAY". How long has it been since the mayor DID drive it ? How long has his license been suspended ? Doesn't really carry weight for this time but maybe he has been known to drive it in the PAST without a license. Where was the mayor sitting according to the other witnesses ? Maybe the officer is telling the truth and those other two witnesses are not. If I get pulled over for speeding and the occupants in my car say I was NOT speeding, does a court listen to their story or that police officers story ? Am I innocent because my four or five buddies in the car say I am ?

Unless that Probationary Police Officer made an illegal arrest and there has been other previously, earlier documented violations for this probationary police officer, I think he has every right to get his job back and all back pay and benefits he is entitled to. As for the mayor and it's citizens, if that is the case they should be very proud of a police officer who was hired to protect and serve within their town, regardless who who it is. Sorry Mr Mayor, but the same rules apply to you as we'll as everybody else. You should commend this officer for doing such a good job. Mr Mayor, "you should lead by example as well".

As was pointed out, despite some written test scores or some certification program, the standard can really never be equal. When it comes to being paid for a particular job, the standards applied to do that job are much far higher than those who are not paid. Yet in both cases, there may be some form of self satisfaction on doing a good job as a fire department officer. From the topic of training, reports, firefighting, personnel problems, most career fire officers must be much more accountable for their actions. A career dept chief does not look at it from a self satisfaction thing, but as "you're paid to do a job and why haven't you done it". As when the same concerns face a volunteer chief, the duties of the officers is more in the form of a request with no legal right to demand it must be done as part of their job. Career firefighters face a probation time in which they are evaluated. As a final solution to a "problem child", they could face termination and the loss of their new career.And by far, that also includes the rigorous recruit school.

What you say above "FireMedic049" is EXACTLY how it happened in my 30 days suspension case. The union officials did go into the chiefs office with me. When "they" told me of the pending 30 days suspension I was facing, of course I wanted them in that chiefs office with me. They acted as my defense attorney. When the chief, acting as the judge, told me in that office that "based on his decision, I would be suspended". The union officials then told the chief, "chief we intend to file a grievance on this", He still went through with the suspension. The next week we had a scheduled appearance in city hall with the Department of Personnel to hear my case. At that point, that is when all charges were dropped and my case was won. I got back all my back pay I had already lost. (For those anti union sign carriers - if not for that union grievance policy, I would have been guilty as charged, unless I hired my own lawyer). The union felt that because I was a new officer, and the chief was also new, the chief tried to use me as an example to show his authority. The chief and I spent the next 5-6 years together before the chief retired. I had won my case and the chief had lost. But we maintained full respect for each other after that happened. Today he lives in Florida and we still keep in touch. As a new Probie, he was my first captain and I sure respected him. Everybody did. He taught me a lot and he sure paid his dues as a firefighter and officer. He certainly impressed me. But sometimes we all make mistakes. Even chiefs do. I certainly made my share of them. Now in keeping with the thought of this thread, "how many volunteer fire officers have gone through something like that" ? Not too many I would guess. Otherwise, there probably wouldn't be any left and nobody would raise their hand to want to become one.

I was told by a buddy who lives there that a firehouse is only about one block away. He said when this guys got there some guys ran back to the firehouse to get their own private vehicles and transport some of the injured to the hospital in their own private cars. I would guess that for a city the size of Orlando, this would be on a scale for them similar to a NYC 9/11. I just can't imagine pulling up to something like this.

In the case of my suspension (NFD2004), it was designed for me to loose 4 weeks pay regardless of how many days I was scheduled to work. A total of 42 hours pay taken away for four weeks. No matter how we toss around and play with the numbers, the loss was designed to be there. I agree, the investigation of the topless photos was not done correctly. As soon as city hall saw those pictures, the blame went to the guys that work there. As I remember correctly, a few days had passed and the ball was about to drop. I believe it was actually one of the off duty career firefighters who buffed the fire that night. It was him that first brought up the point that just perhaps, these pictures were taken by a relocated group of firefighters. Again, I wish to point out the success of the two combination departments I had mentioned before. One a town of about 60,000 people. The other a very well known, progressive county department, covering a very large population.

Pete of course you make some very good points. Of course I know of career officers that hoped to advance for the extra change in their pockets. For others it was a form of some kind of prestige making them feel "MORE IMPORTANT". At this part we are ONLY referring to the selection of Fire Officers, not at all covering the issue of the entire volunteer vs career system. You're absolutely correct, the discipline factor is NOT really the sole purpose of how firefighters are held accountable. That is used only as the final result. Generally speaking ALL firefighters get a sense of pride and accomplishment in performing their duties to help others. But once again, let me point out unequal discipline results. As you say, "What does a Volunteer loose" ? You say: "Whatever it was that motivated that person to seek that promotion and drives him can be taken away". Well, as a career fire officer that can also be taken away. BUT HERE's THE MORE IMPORTANT FACTOR. It's a loss of income. In my own example, mine would have been 30 days. That is a huge price to pay over the fact of some kind of motivational thing. Pete, it just really can not be compared. I wish the standards could be equal, but it just can't happen. And add this, the fact that career firefighters enjoy a decent career of steady income and benefits they should definitely be held to higher standards. People pay them to do a job. They are expected to be honest and trustworthy. More so than anyone else. Why shouldn't they be held to higher standards.

Pete does that system you mention involve a Career Firefighter being given orders to by a Volunteer Lt ? If so, just by the nature of the accountability issue, there might be a problem trying to implement that. For that career firefighter, he comes under a semi military form of discipline, with plenty to loose if he disobeys an order. Now lets reverse it. A career Capt gives that Volunteer Lt an order. That Vol Lt doesn't follow the order. "What type of disciplinary action can be applied to him ? Yes, that volunteer Lt took and passed the same test as those career Lts., but it will never really be equal. Just as I mentioned the story earlier of the topless lady photos taken in a firehouse. There were two totally different standards applied. Those career firefighters faced some serious charges if they had done it. While the volunteer firefighters, who actually committed the incident, had no action taken against them. The reality is, "nothing could be done against them". Just by virtue of passing the same test, does not make things equal. Here's an example. As a new officer, I was once called into the chiefs office for a personal issue. One of the firefighters got in a little trouble. I wasn't even there when it happened. As I headed to the office both the Union President and Vice President met me in the hallway. I was surprised to see them, so I asked what was going on ? The union president then said to me; "Willy do you want us to go in there with you" ? I asked "for what". They then told me the charges of what I was accused of and said, "he wants you suspended for 30 days". I couldn't believe that. Of course as it turned out, I was completely innocent and after serving four days of my 30 day suspension, I got my job back and also the four days back pay I lost. First of all, sometimes it's no fun being an officer. In the career dept you are held accountable for everything that goes on. But my real point here is the kind of standards that career officers are held too. Here's another example which happened within the last year or two. A career Lt is inside a building fighting a fire on the line with his members. Outside, the pump operator was NOT wearing his helmet. I believe he had been told to do so earlier on. The pump operator got suspended and the Lt was written up for not disciplining his men. He had no idea this guy wasn't wearing his helmet. Both true stories. Now can a Volunteer Lt be held to such standards ?