County Fire taking more Depts over??

[trkmant46]

Is there any truth about the rumor I am hearing that Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Redlands and Colton are considering going over to County Fire in the very near future??

[BabyCity]

Yep, it's true....that it's bullshiot!

Anytime I hear, "I heard", I know to stop listening right away. There is no way that Rancho or Redlands would ever relinquish their pride and ownership in their fire departments. Colton, maybe. Rialto, I doubt it. The County isn't exactly a cure all for struggling Inland Empire agencies, in fact, they could cost more in the long run. I am deeply involved with the areas local agencies, and can say that this is a poorly manufactured rumor, but a nice one!

Believe 25% of what you hear, 50% of what you see, and .9% of your buddy saying, "Hey dude, wanna know some drama, check this out."

Then again, they could be hiding it from me.

[firemedic301]

Hesperia and Victorville learned it only takes 3 counsel members (usually with something to gain personally) to vote away the cities FD..... Fact

County will promise the world and once the "TAKEOVER" happens they will stick it to the tax payers!!!! Just ask Hesperia that is spending 9.9 MILLION dollars this year for basically the SAME service WE gave them for 5.7 Million 3 years ago (OH ya and SH$tier service!!!!) NO DEPT is safe from the COUNTY TAKEOVER!!!! I have ZERO respect for COUNTY FIRE ADMIN and City Counsel Members they are ABSOLUTE LIARS!!!! Just remember THEY are the GREATEST, just ask them they'll tell you!!!

So to answer TRKMAN's question YES, you can bet that COUNTY FD is ABSOLUTELY in talks with EVERY city in SBCO (behind closed doors and in backrooms) to takeover FD and SO services!!! $$$$$$$$$$$ IEHP and SOCIAL SERVICES are in the HOLE finacially and Fire Dept's are GUARANTEED $$$$$$$

[steeltown71]

This message is directed more towards firemedic301 than it is towards the topic on the initial post. I enjoy reading the posts on this website to find out what is going on with various departments as well as the fire service as a whole. Its a place where brother firefighters can discuss thier feelings about issues in the the fire service, whether good or bad. However this is not a forum to openly bash, belittle and insult a fellow fire department. Over the fast several months, firemedic301 you have gone out of your way to express your dislike with my department San Bernardino County Fire to the point of complete disrespect. At no point have myself or my brothers made any attempt to bash your department or any other department. In fact, we have let you openly insult us without any retaliation from us at all. Every post you make full of false information, accusations and ridiculous political banter makes you look foolish and unprofessional. I know your past and yes I know you still may have some issues that bother you. I cant change the past and for that I offer my apologies. That does not give you a reason to beat down our department publicly. I have great respect for your department and the guys that work in it. Whether you like it or not, in these forums we are the voice of our departments. What you say can instantly change peoples impressions of a fire department, both yours and mine. All I am asking is show your fellow brothers as well as neighboring department a little more respect and we in turn will continue to show you and your department the respect you deserve.

Respectfully,
Firefighter Westfall
SBCoFD

[illdaddy]

All I am asking is show your fellow brothers as well as neighboring department a little more respect and we in turn will continue to show you and your department the respect you deserve.

Respectfully,
Firefighter Westfall
SBCoFD

Very well put Westfall. I think that we need to focus in on those people that continue to insult other firefighter "brothers".
I think that we need to treat one another's departments with respect even if it is a department that we left on bad terms.

I was formerly a Cal Fire guy, but I don't hate on them, even though I was not as happy there as I am now in my current FD.

[sansoofireman]

I won't condone or condemn what Firemedic301 has recently said, but there isn't one of us out there who wouldn't be pretty PO'd if our department got taken over by another one and we were unhappy with the change.

I did my paramedic-internship at Hesperia in '94 and it was a pretty cool department. Most of the older guys went to high school together, most everyone lived in town, and it was, undoubtedly, a family.

In comes SBCoFD, much to the changrines of everyone. A lot of the guys had to work OUTSIDE of Hesperia. A lot of leadership comes in expecting respect that has yet to be earned. After three years they are providing the same service for a lot more money.

Am I the President of the Firemedic301 Fan Club? No. Would I accept a nomination? Probably. Would I be pretty irate when faced with the same circumstances? Without question. Firemedic301 is a good dude, but, just for a second, put yourself in his shoes. Even if its just for a second.

Mary Lincoln used to sit around the White House and bash on the Southerners. There wasn't one good thing she could say about them. The President told her,

"They're just what we would be under similar circumstances."

[sansoofireman]

Every post you make full of false information, accusations and ridiculous political banter makes you look foolish and unprofessional.

I'll have to disagree here. Every post? I know him, and he is not perfect and probably guilty of SOME of those things. His ankles even get a little wet when he walks on water.

However this is not a forum to openly bash, belittle and insult a fellow fire department.

So... let's not make it personal either. When we do that we put people on the defensive, arouse resentment, and make them strive to justify themselves.

It will be interesting to see what waves of discontentment come out of Victorville, if any. My guess on the original post, Rancho and Redlands, no way. Colton, probably not. Rialto, probably. I wish I had a crystal ball...

[firemedic301]

Hi FF Westfall,
I completely stand by my post and as far as being disrespectful to your Dept. my discontent is for your dept's ADMIN more specific, the people that literally looked myself, my brothers and the Tax payers in the eyes and KNOWINGLY spoke mistruths (I call them lies). Anyway, let me say I had a GREAT time with the SBCoFD BROTHERS on the floor I worked with in my time after the takeover. I have a lot of respect for the guy's I worked with at SBCOFD, I never BASHED your FIREMAN that is why I specifically said ADMIN!!!!! I had some bad experiences with a COUPLE Captains, and an Engineer that had no problem telling me what a piece of crap my BROTHERS and I were, however that was way acceptable under the circumstances. I hold NO ill feelings for YOU or your BROTHERS!!!

I stated FACTs when it comes to the $$$$'s SBCOFD is charging city's for the same service WE provided. I will give you some credit for SBCOFD adding 1 ambulance in Hesperia, bet heck for an extra 4.2 Million dollars I would hope Hesperia is getting something more.

You are right good or bad this is a forum for Fireman, Law Enforcement, EMS and a place where we can OPENLY discuss issues. Like me or Hate me, I have discussed issues that I am VERY knowledgable about and I am being honest maybe not politically correct but honest. You want to CORRECT me just post up facts that are different from what I stated and I will sit corrected.

As for apologizing for the way some of the Hesperia guy's were treated, you don't have too, YOU were not on the list of guy's that DISRESPECTED us.

There are MANY POSITIVES that happened to my BROTHERS from HFD after the takeover, and a lot of them have GREAT things to say about SBCoFD and that is cool. I have a long story that will let you know that "NOT ALL PEOPLE THAT CRAP ON YOU ARE YOUR ENEMY, AND NOT ALL PEOPLE THAT GET YOU OUT OF CRAP AND STAND BY YOUR SIDE ARE YOUR FRIEND"

Finally, Thank You for having the respect of disclosing your name after your post and not hiding your identity!!! 2 thumbs up - You have my respect!!!!

[Ash702]

I don't know much about SBCOFD, but I do know that a department in the 909, that rhymns with Bialto, sucks. Mainly because I worked for them for free for nearly 2 years, and then didn't get picked up :mad: Oh well....what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right....
However, that said, I now work, for what I think, is a GREAT department. I know us Vegas boys are in the minority on this site, but we still represent!!

[booya]

After working with many Hesperia brothers I can completely understand firemedic301's feelings. The Hesperia guys were taken for a ride and screwed over. It was a sad day when Hesperia fire was sold down the river. If my department was taken over and I was given much less to do the same job I would be upset, wouldn't you?!

[firemedic301]

I'm posting again because I think it bears repeating. I have NO problem with SBCoFD brother on the floor!!! I was raised in a Marine household that was built around a philosiphy that your word is your honor, and stand up and fight if you your family or close friends are WRONGED!!!! That is where I have a problem with the Chiefs and Counsel Members that KNOWINGLY spoke LIES to our faces with a smile on thier faces. Now I completely understand why SBCoFD wants to take over depts signing contracts that are lets say 10 year contracts with the ability to negotiate EVERY year. Thus make it look good to the tax payers the INITIAL year by savng $38,000 - $400,000 in the cases of Hesperia and Victorville, then EVERY year after that hit the City's with HUGE increases!!! GREAT business for sure!!!!! At the tax payers expense. That to my is not very HONORABLE to the people that TRUST SBCoFD. Luckily 99% of the people in these City's aren't aware of this.

Now when I have "slammed" and "Disrespected" the level of service that SBCoFD is providing to Hesperia. I live within 10 houses of 2 charge Nurses in the local Hosp and I'm still good friends with MANY ER Nurses here in the Dez. Their comments are LESS that steller about what they have seen as a whole with the level of service that has rolled thru their ER doors in the last 3 years. Sorry if that offends anybody but, it is the way it is. Now is that the FD's fault? NOPE, it is a fact that HFD had some of the sharpest and knowledgable MEDICS in SBCo and WE took pride in our service with the MAJORITY of Medics having 10-20 of experience (on an AMBULANCE) and if you are not "ON YOUR GAME" the Nurses, Doctors, and Fellow HFD medics handed you your A$$ (some called it the SHARK TANK). Now I don't think anybody in SBCoFD can dispute that the AMBULANCES in Hesp. are Staffed with the Counties YOUNGEST and most of the time least experienced Medics as a whole (it is obvious that when a medic on the box gets some senority he usually heads to a Medics Engine) So I COMPLETELY understand the lack of experience rolling Pt's thru the ER doors. That is NOT a BASH or Disrespect it is a fact IN MY HONEST OPINION and if that is offensive to someone out there I apologize. The fact was at HFD we knew we would be on the boxes for (MOST of the Medics) many years, so we WORKED very hard at being SOLID Medics. Now a day in the current situation Medics are just doing their time on the box until they can get a Medic Engine spot. I will be the first to say, I dont walk on water, I will only be maybe 30% the medics I was on the box. That sounds bad but it is the way the system works in an ALS system with AMR transporting, I have become an information gatherer. Don't get me wrong though, when the crap hits the and I need to kick up the skills they are still there!!!!!

So to recap, I have MAD respect for ALL my friends that work for SBCoFD you are a GREAT group of guy's. I dislike CAREER POLITICIANS (including deceptive FD admin), that are sworn to make decisions in the BEST interest of the citizens (and employees) they serve and Don't and make decisions that give them PERSONAL gain.

P.S. I also have MAD respect for ALL the Medics, EMT's, and Kick A$$ Firemen that I have worked with in my years of service that have a PASSION for giving OUR customers the very BEST SERVICE they deserve. OUR Honor Guard has a moto that says: "THE BEST WE CAN DO IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO" I work hard everyday so when I retire I can say that is how I rolled!!!

Hope that cleared up my point of view. Now with that meet me at the MUDSHARK BREWERY 4-6pm in Havasu for a beer July 6th - 13th!!! The first beer is on me:D

I might not be posting for awhile I think after this I have CARPEL TUNNEL now:eek:

[cheese]

What's up Westfall? Well spoken but I know 301 isn't bashing the guys on the floor. He's a good dude and just pissed at your admin. Besides, I love you guys and I wouldn't let any of my dudes put ya'll down. By the way, when we gonna get together and strum some banjos? LOL

Arvizo SBFD
aka CHEESE

[TaylorMade]

We will always see various County Fire Departments taking over other cities. I have seen it many times throughout the state in my career.

We may not always agree with the manner in which administrations initiate or complete such takeovers, but one thing is for sure. we must not let the animosity of an absorption destroy the brotherhood.

I commend you Firefighter Westfall for standing up for your department in a tasteful manner.

I also commend you Medic301 for having the gall to stand up for your passions, what you think is right, and taking responsibility for all comments.

I'm not sure how much time either of you have in the fire service, but I personally think that we are lacking those that are willing to do what both of you have just done; Take responsibility.

[SBCoFD10/103]

well im going to have to agree with steeltown71, i am also apart of SBCo if you couldnt tell but its hard to sit back and let your depatment get bashed on or get belittled its not cool, and i know that medic301 just trying to say it how it is but S*** happens, not always for the best reasons or the right ones. but i am sure that if you were to go and talk to anyone of the hesperia guys that are still with county and ask them how they like SBCoFD you would hear no complaints. County is a great department along with everyone of your own with awesome medics and kicka** firemen, hesperia is full of the most skilled medics in county and when you say that "least experienced Medics":eek: i find it hard to believe.



i enjoy reading your post 301 and hopefully you can get over the carpal tunnel to reply:)