View Full Version : Ever Get This From.........
The guys and gals you work with? Hey why are you gone all the time? Youre always on vacation. I am guilty of this myself. During the summer months I spend much of my time boating. So I'm gone for a week or so at a time, once or twice a month. Is it that they miss me that much? Or are they jealous? Like I'm using their time off to vacation. Anybody ever experience this? Am I looking at this all wrong? Perhaps they need some more vacations and they would understand how relaxing being away from this place really is. Also when we are on vacation together I DONT WANT TO HEAR you talk about anything from work. Hit me back brothers and sisters...............
What The **bleep****bleep****bleep****bleep**
You're just to sensative!
I get that alot out here from my crew as well. I will take sometimes the last day of the cycle and 1st of the next (giving me an 8 day!!) and they give me crap like, "nice of you to come to work" yadda yadda yadda. It's no big deal bro. You are probably the "in station entertainment" (like me) and they don't have any fun without you!!
You could be right. I am the life of the party. Not to brag but our crew does have lots of fun. So screw everyone else that doesnt vacation like us..........Oh yeah Im leaving again for our annual boyz trip, two more weeks..Ha
Yeah, dont they give us Vacation time to use it. I too get a lot of flack from the boys at station 10, when I am away. I guess they miss me enough to notice Im gone.
In the other world of normal employment, (like 98% of America) you get your 2 or 3 weeks (maybe 4) of vacation (probably unpaid) whenever your boss (remember HIM?) tells you too. No "ifs, ands, or buts".
You guys are the top $10 percent$ of the top $10 percent$. Your attitude simply amazes me. Taking multiple "mini vacations" almost whenever you want to is simply not available to the average Joe.
No Union. No Firefighter Bill Of Rights. No pay/bennies twice your actual worth. No special laws "protecting" your rights. Firefighter public employees today have it made in the shade. And you are talking "vacation use"? Get real! :) :) :)
Any time you hear something like that, you need to take a minute and listen to what they are saying. If, you are taking time off during scheduled training or drills there may be something to their comments. This also includes days in which shift projects etc. are scheduled.
It's also important to keep in mind that you are part of a crew. It can be difficult to build crew continuity when one of the crew is constantly gone.
Having said all of that, I will tell you that I personally take alot of time off. That's just one of the great benefits of the job.
I encourage you to take a deep breath and review the calendar and see what you have missed. Lastly, I would encourage you to speak to your Captain and see what he or she thinks about it.
Good luck and stay safe,
firemedic301
10-03-08, 22:38
In the other world of normal employment, (like 98% of America) you get your 2 or 3 weeks (maybe 4) of vacation (probably unpaid) whenever your boss (remember HIM?) tells you too. No "ifs, ands, or buts".
You guys are the top $10 percent$ of the top $10 percent$. Your attitude simply amazes me. Taking multiple "mini vacations" almost whenever you want to is simply not available to the average Joe.
No Union. No Firefighter Bill Of Rights. No pay/bennies twice your actual worth. No special laws "protecting" your rights. Firefighter public employees today have it made in the shade. And you are talking "vacation use"? Get real! :) :) :)
Again HB you had some good post in the last week and now back to this $HIT!!! I can say again I don't care for you opinions about how YOU feel that WE are over paid and under worked and WE DON'T deserve to take mini vacations or whatever YOUR take is. YOUR true colors are showing very vividly about how YOU feel about US ( the new generation of Firefighters) I am past being nice and giving YOU respect because YOU worked in the fire service YEARS ago in your so called STONE AGE!!! Remember my comment about not wanting to hear your version of "I walked 20 miles to school in the snow bare foot uphill both ways"
and "I retired at poverty level" ( you are showing that YOU deserve every dime your retirement pays YOU), well ditto that here. You have no clue what it takes to be a Fireman today, with the amount of training and skills, with the advent of ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT, Technical Rescue, Hazardous materials, ECT.... If I did the job you did back in your day I WOULD be way over paid!!!! How many hours of training have you had in ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT and how many times did you actually save somebodies life??? Again can you even phathom 26,000 calls between 12 stations??? 100's and 100's of Gun shot and stabbing victims, pure out and out RAW violence on a daily basis in the San Bernardino knife/gun club City. The fact is plain and simple, YOU haven't a CLUE the stresses and responsibility it takes to be a Paramedic Fireman in the 21st Century!!!!! WE are paid good but not great for what we do, and the more times YOU make comments that WE are OVERPAID and DON'T deserve the benefits we get, it makes me think YOU are an ignorant bitter OLD COOT that deserves 0 respect from me. Before you tell me to RESPECT my elders, CHEESE, I will say, I respect those that RESPECT me, and so far HB you have shown US paid fireman VERY little respect if any!!! So again, you will find some of your OLD COOT, volunteer firefighters that love BASHING paid Fireman at www.firelink.com
Know let the bashing of me commence, JOHNNY.
P.S. Just because you put smiley faces after your posts, doesn't make it look cute, just condesending!!!
Also HB if YOUR family member was in a grave medical situation, with all your wealth of medical knowledge you learned back in YOUR day, want to handle it yourself, or would you call 911 and get a sharp, polished, EXTREMELY well trained PARAMEDIC to come in and make split second LIFE SAVING decisions and handle it for you???
How much is my training and skills worth to the citizens of OUR cities 26,000 times a year?? I'll show you my next pay check and that is how much!!! And YES I thank and give a SALUTE to the tax payers that pay my salary, EVERYTIME I am floating in a cove at the Lake, listening to some tunes in my boat, the FIRST beer is to THEM and the next 5 or 6 are for me, for spending the MASSIVE amount of hours paying my dues to be there at that very moment!!!!
HB,
Glad to hear retirement is treating you well. A firefighter has every right to take time off, either with a shift trade, vacation, or holiday.
I reviewed your profile and see that you retired (I believe on a medical). Did you go out on a tax free disability pension?
Here is the way I look at our pay and benefits. I manage roughly 50 people in my Battalion. What would a person in the corporate world make who manages 50 people? I can guarantee it's more than I make.
I did not settle on becoming a firefighter. I am proud to be here. If I can get hired and promote in the fire service, what could I have accomplished in the public sector?
What about the fact that most firefighters die within 5 years of retirement (you have already had the "big one").
I find it amazing after reviewing your posts that you would be so critical of today's firefighters. As was pointed out so well by a previous poster, it's much harder to be a firefighter today that it was 10 years ago.
You mentioned that your engine ran 800 calls PER YEAR. That's an average of 2.5 runs per day. We have stations that run 800 calls EACH MONTH.
This also clearly explains why you don't see the need for a firefighter to take a vacation. Many of the contributors of this forum would be thrilled to "only" run 10 calls in 24-hour shift. Running an average of 2.5 calls per day would be a nice break for them. I am confident, however, that these same guys who run 10+ calls EACH SHIFT would fight to get back to their busy assignments.
You also made reference to having fist fights with your coworkers. You would have been FIRED in "TODAY's" fire service.
If I were you, I would think twice before I made such comments.
Stay healthy and enjoy retirement. I plan to in six years.
ladderpiper
10-04-08, 00:47
I love your wisdom Chief Lepore. You seem to be in touch with today's MODERN firefighters.
Listen guys.. When CalFire put us on mandatory recall and I was gone for an entire month during the northern Cal fire series, I was glad to be off for a few days and then back for another 20+.
How much is being gone from my significant other worth in that case?
How much is putting my life on the line worth?
Just like firemedic301 said. As much as we get paid. That's how much.
I know you are welcome to your opinion, and the Forum Host welcomed your banter in another post, but please.....stop being such a hammer.
This forum is mostly FULL-Time professional union firefighters and NOT volly's. That's why I come here. Therefore give us a little more credit.
Just why are some of you so angry? Dunno. Look in a mirror people. Killing the messenger is alive and well. I actually don't know where to start here.
Pull down the individual and family wages for California, then compare them with yours. Don't use MY data...find your own. More accurate and timely.
Find out the average individual retirement system state wide (if any) and again compare them with yours. Pull down some labor law and compare.
California Firefighter Bill of Rights. Kelly hearings. Collective bargaining. Law suits paid for by others. Sacramento lobbyists. About the only guys....
....better off than you are the State Prison Guards. Wow...you have it great. You need a reality check. You really have it good. Very very good.
OK, you run hard. Some of you. I would be willing to bet that the AVERAGE company has it a little bit slower. What is the average yearly calls?
I have some education and experience. Twenty years as a RN counts for a little bit. Used to teach paramedics. Also taught Red Cross Instructors.
Worked the ER. Probably have saved (and lost) my share of patients. Actually that's one reason why I left Nursing. It sucked. Too much death.
Lets key back in on your anger. A normal response would have been...yep, we are over paid, we are lucky, and we are very glad and proud doing our job.
Yes, we are very fortunate being able to take VT almost ANYTIME we want. Staffing permitting. Take the boat to the river. A boat? Whow! A boat?
Most of us don't have boats. Too expensive. And if we could take VT almost whenever, we probably could not afford mini vacations either.
Anyway, your anger is beneath you. This is a friendly board. Get real people, you are sooss lucky. Apparently you even don't realize how much.
Where else in the Federation could you find a job that pays soooss well with the average education found today in the Fire Service. Please name one.
Gee, if I have peed you off, well, that is your problem, not mine. Here I am, blaze away if you choose. So child like. Plus, I gots thick armorplate. Thanks. :) :) :)
KungFooPanda
10-04-08, 12:52
just why are some of you so angry? Dunno. Look in a mirror people. Killing the messenger is alive and well. I actually don't know where to start here.
Gee, if i have peed you off, well, that is your problem, not mine. Here i am, blaze away if you choose. So child like. Plus, i gots thick armorplate. Thanks. :) :) :)
bring it!!!
beware of muzzle flash!! don't show the soft side. someone out there may have depleted uranium, or a sabot round and trying to square up on the target.
bclepore, you've hit it on the head. i can remember being assigned to an engine that was the single resource for the city/county contract area and at 6 1/2 years old had accumulated 115,000 miles. call volume was irrelevant because during the summer months we rolled 20-25 x daily and felt lost if we dropped below 12-15.
"...whaaatt!? you can't scare me by reassigning me to h/q..i been to fort del rosa...andbeenthere andbeenthere...i just remember doing what they told me/toldme...."
chatterbox
10-04-08, 13:31
You guys on the floor are are always talking about the firefighter family. But after reading and following these posts for the last few months, I find that you are tremendously brutal to one another.
Why? I still have respect and appreciate you guys, but I think that the firefighter brotherhood should be honored better by all of you.
I know the majority of you are full-time guys, so is there something that I am missing regarding how you guys treat one another? Are you hardest on one another because you are a family?
HB,
You come insult us and then completely ignore my post. Let me see if I got your profile correct:
Back when you were a firefighter:
You ran 2 calls each shift
You fought in the station
You retired early on a medical
You failed out of PM school
Do you feel guilty when you cash your PERS retirement check each month? By your standards, you certainly didn't earn it......
I bet the guys really miss you in the firehouse.....
Hey Paul, give me some warning next time you take a nice shot like that. I have blood all over me now!
Trkmant46!
You guys on the floor are are always talking about the firefighter family. But after reading and following these posts for the last few months, I find that you are tremendously brutal to one another.
Why? I still have respect and appreciate you guys, but I think that the firefighter brotherhood should be honored better by all of you.
I know the majority of you are full-time guys, so is there something that I am missing regarding how you guys treat one another? Are you hardest on one another because you are a family?
Well CHATTERBOX,
Most of us in here are alpha males full of testosterone and are uber competitive. Most of us feel that OUR fire department, station, and crew is the best one on the friggn' planet..
Yes we are "family" and we belong to the biggest "BROTHERHOOD" in the nation. We fight like brothers or family members sometime, especially when someone from our extended family attacks a brother or brothers. Trust me, WE all have very very very thick skin and we can sling the poo with the best of them. But when shots are fired, ya shoot back. That's just the way it is. Most of the time there is no love lost and sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. Besides, this kind of stuff is soooooo entertaining to read.
Hey chatterbox, don't take us that seriously. This here is a friendly fight. The bottom line is that we are all brothers. Hey Chief, I have some questions.
Ever bit down hard and break a tooth? AUUUGHHHHH! Gosh it hurts. No ones fault, it just happens sometimes. What do we do when it happens?
Well, I for one scream, cuss, rank and rave and get really mad. Why? Because IT HURTS!, thats why. No one at fault, no one to blame. I get mad.
I passed Parmedic school. Nine of us. City hall decided to go with private enterprise to provide ALS EMS. Ouch. We felt betrayed big time.
Never got to do the required clinical. I now understand that the decision of the elected city council was correct. I just did NOT agree at the time.
Yeah, I had a little problem with my lower back. Retired. It happened. Also left Nursing because it got worse. Ancient history. I crashed and burned.
We also ran slow. Yep. Slow. You run very hot. Good. Perhaps you are earning your paycheck. You certainly believe so. The public's view?
Yep, perhaps the Fire Service needs more fist fights. Would such get one fired today? Gee, when I was in, it apparently was required to stand up.
Back to the broken tooth and the pain. Again, lets get right down to the heart of our argument. I have hit a nerve. It appears some of you got mad.
Why? Simple question. Why are you responding with such anger? Not logical. Are you just responding to my post, or is there something else?
As I see it, I have posted practical posts based upon the facts as I see them. We disagree, so what. Doesn't explain some of your reactions.
Yes, I know 99% of you didn't get mad here. Thank you. I hope I didn't get too mad either. However some of you are acting like spoiled children.
Final question Chief. You are spending lots of time on this silly forum. Hope you are off duty. Perhaps you have too much free time. I know I do.
Yep....thick armor. Tritatium Rodium Starship hull metal. Pretty proof against nearly everything. He he he. Blast away. Here I am. :) :) :)
HB,
The fire service is a very small community. You would have known this if your career lasted more than a few years. Isn't it funny how I mentioned that you would be terminated in today's fire service. It seems that's just what happened so many years ago to you.
Now all of your posts make sense. You did not enjoy the benefits of a great career in the fire service and now you are kicking yourself for losing the best job you ever had.
So Henry, don't be bitter. We all love our jobs and plan on working hard toward retirement.
It's a great job, with great friends, and at the end of a productive career it has a wonderful retirement.
It is now 15:17 and I have had 14 calls and 5 transports. And I still have another 16 hours to go. Not complaining, just EARNING my over inflated paycheck, HB. I don't think sooosss.
The best part is, I still love what I do.
Thanks for playing.:cool:
Hey Ash,
Do you guys fight any fire at station 10 or just run MVA's all day long?......:D
Just kidding, don't get all butt hurt I know get yours. We gotta come open the roof up for you water ferries :eek:
Sooos anyways, you gets any new tatts lately? :confused::rolleyes:
Oh could you remind me again how "hot" you guys run over at 10 HOUSE?
Isn't it like right around 10,000 calls per year between one Rescue & one Engine? Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Get SOME!!!
Please tell me that you were on more than 10 yrs with BFD! Please tell me that you were a member in good standing and Left ON GOOD TERMS! If you left with just a few yrs under your belt, then how can you be calling yourself a veteran Fireman??? Were you fired, medically retired, what??? I'd like to know, please :):):) Does that help?
Please also tell me that you are not one of those individuals that left the fire service on bad terms, and now you have to write letters to the local paper expressing how envious you are of what we do for a living! Oups, I meant to say: Expressing your concerns about how much FF's are paid and the "generous" benefits we have. Because if you are that person, Maybe its time you come to grips that you were never really a fireman, you just dressed like one for a short time! You are probably a person that likes to blame everyone else for something that went wrong, instead of being a big boy and taking responsibility for your own actions!
I will be honest, there have been a few times when I thought I was over paid because my family members and friends, all who have educations were at the poverty level, busting their *BLEEP**BLEEP**BLEEP* to make ends meet, and here I am with some great luxuries. Then I think about all the days when my kids had school functions, soccer games, XMAS, easter, you know and I was at work PROVIDING for my family so they can have a decent life! A life which a lot of people dont get to have! And that is just a tip of the Iceburg. I havent even begun to include, the countless hours of out of county assignments, USAR deployments, training, sleepless nights from seeing kids blown away by violence, classes etc.
So, with that said, I am very thankful for what I have and what I am paid! I only pray to god that I am able to enjoy all this hard work in 12yrs when I can retire-god willing!
Another thing, I am not angry with you, it is your opinion, but I do believe you are a very un-educated person when it comes to knowing anything about the fire service of today! Yes there are those out there who believe the same way you do, but they are the ones who never passed the test and had to sit back and watch!
You wanted missiles, well ok! Here is the first: Did you or did you not get fired from BFD? And Was your brother a FF also? Do you write letters to your local paper complaining about Firefighters? Well Do ya???
See, you must have forgotten how inter-connected the fire service really is!
Have a great day-BROTHER...I mean Henry
Trkmant46
This strange thread began when a person admitted using lots and lots of V/T. As I interpreted it, he was inquiring if such FF use was common or considered normal, or perhaps not. Am I missing anything here?
I answered his question with my idea/fact/opinion that his V/T time use/frequency could reasonable be expected to be by the general public as being unusual bordering on abusive. Sound OK sosss far?
Then I added that in the general population/wage earning areas, most if not all of the public (me too) do not have that luxury. Then I said that the Fire Service is in fact overpaid for what you do. All reasonable and very true.
That is all I said. This is a public forum. I am a retired FF/RN. You would have thought I had nuked the World for the angry response I have received. Now I am being personally attacked by people who know better.
B/C Paul, please E-mail me off this board, or feel free to use the private channel provided. We really need to talk. Brother to brother. We are not communicating. Please. As to continuing to simply kill the messenger..
...gentleman, consider what you are doing and why. Is it possible that you are acting like inmature spoiled individuals? You actions (not mine) would certainly indicate sooss. What is really going on here? You are ganging me.
Well...I can handle that OK. Should not have too, but I will cope. Now down to brass tacks. Wasn't going to say it before, but, with all frankness, you are beginning to pee me off. Also wasn't going to say before, but will now.....
...yeah, the tooth hurts. I have certainly hit a nerve. You people are actually very sensitive about your wages, hours, and benefits. OK. Why? Why are you killing the messenger? Could I ACTUALLY BE RIGHT?
Your reactions may indicate sooss. Please tell me it ain't so. Suggesting I have no right to even rub shoulders with you and that MY motives are lacking just because I expressed an opinion is way beneath you. You can do better.
A friendly fight getting out of control? Hope not. Not wise all around. You can rise above this. Your apology not needed. Again....thick armour plate. This thread is getting out of control. Love you all. :) :) :) (my personal logo)
No, we are not sensitive to people attacking us based on our wages! What it boils down to, is you and the "general" public are totally uneducated as to what it is we do on a daily basis. You cant compare running 2.5 calls a day at BFD to the significant increase of today! In 20 plus yrs, almost EVERY Fire dept in the nation has had their call volumes increase with considerably less staffing then before.
You keep referring to the fact that FF's are over paid. What are you basing that on? What data are you using to gather this information? I would really like to know. Most if not all FF's have to work OT to some extent.
Please EDUCATE ME! I want to know your DATA on why FF's are over paid!!!
Any time you hear something like that, you need to take a minute and listen to what they are saying. If, you are taking time off during scheduled training or drills there may be something to their comments. This also includes days in which shift projects etc. are scheduled.
It's also important to keep in mind that you are part of a crew. It can be difficult to build crew continuity when one of the crew is constantly gone.
Having said all of that, I will tell you that I personally take alot of time off. That's just one of the great benefits of the job.
I encourage you to take a deep breath and review the calendar and see what you have missed. Lastly, I would encourage you to speak to your Captain and see what he or she thinks about it.
Good luck and stay safe,
Chief,
I don't think that it's because I am missing training or damaging "Crew continuity." (Which I'm not). As a matter of fact, my Captain is our Local's president and is also frequently gone. I just think my crew misses me because I am the Bomb-digity!! Who else is gonna come to the station after another 4 day with "Poor Decisions" involved? (By the way, I got another tattoo over this 4 day:D)
What I typically hear from my crew is friendly ribbing and continued material for them to shoot at me. I take it as all GOOD FUN. Every station needs a target....I just happen to make myself a bigger one for my crew!!:rolleyes:
chainsaw5vent
10-04-08, 18:30
The guys and gals you work with? Hey why are you gone all the time? Youre always on vacation. I am guilty of this myself. During the summer months I spend much of my time boating. So I'm gone for a week or so at a time, once or twice a month. Is it that they miss me that much? Or are they jealous? Like I'm using their time off to vacation. Anybody ever experience this? Am I looking at this all wrong? Perhaps they need some more vacations and they would understand how relaxing being away from this place really is. Also when we are on vacation together I DONT WANT TO HEAR you talk about anything from work. Hit me back brothers and sisters...............
aren't we guilty of being at work too much to support all of our toys so we can go and play with the boys?
I here cricketts... Why Henry??? Where is the Data that shows FF's are over paid???
Your killen me here!
Can anyone hum the wheel of fortune song while we wait for the highly anticipated data that proves we are over paid from HB>?
Damn, CHOW TIME! Better go eat before we get yet another CALL! lol
firemedic301
10-04-08, 19:55
Just thinking out loud here but could HB of CJ be HOTTIE4FYR??? Look you never see them in the same place and the both have about the same ignorant inflamatory statements. Just again thinking out loud.
Sorry if we are PISSING you off HB. How was your TOP RAMON and JELLO tonight??? My 16oz Ribeye was PERFECT.
Respectful opinions and discussions are one thing, but you are acting like you want to expose US (today's PAID Firefighters) for what we are, the BIG BAD PUBLIC FINANCE RAPING MONGERS. Good luck with that one in here!!!! Their is a reason WE make the money we do, and there's a reason you make/made the money you did/do,and it is obvious to all of us why.
WE should be ashamed to TAKE vacation time we have ACCRUDE, damn us spoiled little brats. Burn us all at the cross for goodness sakes, can I get a huuruumf or an AMEN!!!!
Also PLEASE purchase (if you can afford it) BC Lepore's books on what it takes to get hired and the first 2 years. It might enlighten you as to where the Fire Service is "Now-a-days", They are awesome reads!!!!
I'll take the Jeopardy theme song for 100K a year Alex :D......(Is that the tune you were thinking of TrkmanT46?):confused:
It comes on after Wheel of fortune (I think). All the old salty dogs watch it during or after chow.
Yea thats the song. I couldnt think of it as I was watching Oregon scoring against the trojans! Thanks for the help! I was too busy eating my Baby back ribs and watching the game!
Henry??!! Where are you? I didnt mean to PEE you off.. OK, I did mean too. But I am still here waiting for the proof FF's are over paid. Wow guys it got real quiet in here. Hey HOTTIE4FYR have you seen Henry, aka HB OF CJ? He seems to have disappeared from this forum.
Hi All. Quick answer first. At this time, it MAY serve no appropriate purpose for me to simply give you the facts. Anything I provided would probably just either be ignored or twisted. And....it is NOT at my fingertips. Yep. I can get it, but not right away. But..would you believe it anyway if I did?
Nope....if you are really honest about wanting to know how you stack up against the general public, you are going to have to find it out yourself. Kinda like a double blind study. Don't take my word as worth anything.
Wheather (sp?) or not you will do so and if or not your choose to believe what you research is up to you. Again, at this point, there is nothing constructive I can do. It would seem you have closed your minds.
But.......if you want to read and weep, start with the Census, both USA and State of California. Then go to the various County and City Board of Trades. Then try the various Chamber of Commerences. (sp) They will give a district--county--city--area average individual and family incomes.
Compare the individual or average family of 4 or sossss total monthly income with yours. Which is higher? Duh...which is $higher$? That is what this silly talk is all about. Who makes the most money? Who makes $more$?
I am talking about THE FIRE SERVICE!! Like in the whole thing. The average. Please re-read my posts, if you choose too. Again, most of you have been quite polite. Thanks. My beef is not with you.
However, some of you have directly attacked me personally. Since you can't attack the $income data$, you choose to go after me. Well, that sucks. Compared to the general public, you are overpaid. Like you make MORE!! You make more money.
Why does that simple fact seem to bother you soosss much? No, I don't complain to the newspapers. Yes, I was on the job less than 10 years. Yes, I was hazzed. Yes I had a fistfight. So what? Yes I did stuff which would fire you today. Could you actually be jealous? Nah...no way. Ancient history.
Yes I have nearly a Masters Degree. I think 187 hrs. AS Fire Science. Paramedic class training. No clinical. Yes I blew my back out on the FD job. Yes I receive a Disability Pension. Yes I'm an old Coot. Old Coot, Old Coot, Old Coot. So what. So go ahead, beat up on me. Ha ha ha. Give it your best shot. I'm laughing at you. Please Re-read All my posts.
B/C Paul, sorry, my PC won't let me open your private message. I tried. Something to do with some popup program. Working the problem. Will try again. Might be a few days, I will be traveling a little. Please give this Old Coot a little time here. Thanks.
Everyone else, in the meantime.....don't believe me. Do the research yourselves. But....I kinda suspect your won't because deep down inside you know you will not like what you find. You already know. You are overpaid. You make much more $money$ than most. That is what this is all about. Hey, I stole some Rum...anybody want some? :) :) :)
First of all I am keeping an open mind here. I asked for the data and behold nothing!
How do you come to the conclusion that we are overpaid? What is that based on?? Is it education based? The higher the education a person has the more MONEY they should make? Or is it job classifications? Please enlighten me! I am listening!!!
HB Yes, we make a very good income, there is no denying that. But So do police officers, Doctors, Nurses, OIL EXECS, BLAAH BLAAH BLAAH!
You get the point! So is it because you are making poverty level income that you are basing this on? Just curious
NEWS FLASH HB, the "general" public typically does not put themselves into harms way like we do. Nor do they expose themselves and their families to the *BLEEP**BLEEP**BLEEP**BLEEP* we bring home. They dont work the 24hr shifts like we do and they dont have to deal with getting awkened in the middle of the night ruining their "beauty" sleep. They dont have the potential health risks that all of us face, your a good example of that-back injury-a typical career ending injury for some!
I can go on and on. but wont.
You cant compare public safety jobs to the general publics jobs! Not the same!
Its funny, when the "general" public becomes educated about the job of a Firefighter they always seem to say, you can have that job! We do things others wont or cant do.
Furthermore, I can tell you that a good majority of my non firefighting friends make as much or more than I do. So, sometimes those "averages" of family incomes are off a bit.. ever hear the saying dont believe everything you read! lol
Come HB, those surveys are never 100% accurrate and you of all people should know that.
Let me know what you think
In one thread I am your "brother". In the next one you are slamming my peers and I for being underworked and over paid.
Hi brothers and sisters of the west coast. It’s been a while sense I have posted, but I have been keeping the finger on the pulse so to speak. Most recently helping Chili get rid of the B.S. spam posted on the site recently. Steve, thanks for brining that to Chili’s attention so quickly. Ok back to the point here. I am so entertained by these comments and how they take such a 180 off the main topic, so lets party on.
Brian, go ahead and take your time off brother you deserve it. We all now what a hard charger you are at work with your “I’ll do it right know jack attitude” we miss you but not that much and besides the guys on the B-shift will pick up the slack while your gone. Oh did I mention I like the overtime (hb) so take all the time you need bro and have 2 or 3 for me while your at the riv.
As for you HB you’re the real reason I wanted to post a response. We all have choices in our lives as to what we choose to do for a living. Most of the professionals that use this great forum I would say the choice was simple. They wanted to make a difference in peoples lives, they wanted to provide a safe and comfortable life style for themselves and there families, and they wanted a job that would provide challenges that were above and beyond the normal 9 to 5 professions.
For you to come on this site and make remarks about how over payed we are just shows me how ignorant you truly are about this subject and no I am not angry. In fact I kinda of feel sorry for you. I feel we don’t get payed enough for the sacrifices we make on a daily basis but that’s just me. One thing I have concluded though by reading all your post is that your bidder because you made the wrong choices in your life. For example getting fired from the best profession in the world. (BAD CHOICE), not passing medic school (BAD CHOICE), obviously not paying attention to what you were taught about brotherhood (BAD CHOICE), coming on this site and trash talking to a bunch of seasoned professional civil servants (BAD CHOICE). So my advice to you for what it’s worth Henry start making better choices or just start posting on friend finders cause your not going to have any friends in here.
Scuba Out! :cool:
Ladderpiper,
In another post I did not welcome "banter" from HB but rather stated that he was welcome to express his opinion in our forums.
Although the majority of us that are active service, disagree with his implications of our lack of worth, it is in fact his opinion, and he is certainly entitled to it.
HB,
I would like you to consider a few things:
When you worked for Bakersfield Fire I am sure that you did not think you were overpaid. Why?
Because it is very expensive to reside in the Golden State, and your pay was reflective to the cost of living at the time. Am I right?
You and I both know that I am. Otherwise you probably would not have relocated to Oregon once you were off of the City's books.
So Henry, or HB I hate to pick at the scab, but are you going to show the proof that Firefighters are overpaid? I am still anxiously awaiting the data. Please dont tell me to go and look for it in the census surveys, those are always skewed in some way. I want to see where it says that FF's are paid to much. And remember, you cant compare us to the general publics jobs, because they are not the same!
Have a great day!
Henry is busy making new friends on the Firehouse.com site. Hete is his introduction:
Hi...I'm the Old New Guy. Rook here. West Coast. Old. From the all time highest I.S.O. Class 1 Outfit. Then...not now. Former 'Nam Vet", (Corps) FF, EN, (MPO) AS FS, Paramedic, BSN RN, now retarded, 'er retired. Very Old School. Very glad just to be here. That is all.
Notice the Paramedic listed in the resume. Isn't it cute that in this very same post he states that he never finished school.
Makes you wonder how else he stretches the truth.
Henry, dont run from us, we dont bite (unless you like that). So are you gonna into Firehouse.com and spread some love there like you did here? Becareful, they can be alittle less forgiving then Westcoast911. Well Let me know when you find that Data about FF's being overpaid.
Good luck
firemedicmatt
11-24-08, 09:07
Firehouse.com, where it's all hugs and handshakes. AHHH how cute..
I know I am late to this party, but I thought I would jump in.
I own a boat. I take vacation, trade shifts in order to extend 4 days and such. However, I busted my a%$ to get where I am today and earned such privileges. Starting pay here in the County isn't much in my opinion.
$4200/month last I checked, plus 18.5% PM bonus, yes I am a Paramedic grad, finished the program and went on to private EMS for a bit.
Sounds like there is a bit of jealously and regret from some users in this forum about FF's. I admit we have it good, and on the flip side there is always the possibility of leaving for work and not coming back home, serious injury, disease and well, hard work. The general public isn't faced with these issues, last I checked sitting behind a desk is pretty safe.
firemedic301
11-24-08, 11:00
Firehouse.com, where it's all hugs and handshakes. AHHH how cute..
I know I am late to this party, but I thought I would jump in.
I own a boat. I take vacation, trade shifts in order to extend 4 days and such. However, I busted my a%$ to get where I am today and earned such privileges. Starting pay here in the County isn't much in my opinion.
$4200/month last I checked, plus 18.5% PM bonus, yes I am a Paramedic grad, finished the program and went on to private EMS for a bit.
Sounds like there is a bit of jealously and regret from some users in this forum about FF's. I admit we have it good, and on the flip side there is always the possibility of leaving for work and not coming back home, serious injury, disease and well, hard work. The general public isn't faced with these issues, last I checked sitting behind a desk is pretty safe.
Matt Matt Matt don't underestimate the hazards of desk work. There are papercuts, back injuries from spinning around too fast in your chair to see the "new girl" walk by, stress if you don't fill out the "TPS Reports" correctly, hemodilution from hanging at the water cooler to long per day, Cardiac problems when you slam "REDLINE" near the end of the day as a pick-me-up, extremity trauma from the OLD swingline stapler mishaps, Diabetes/Hypertension from lack of exercise, ECT..........
BIGGEST stressor of all - working for a BOSS that hates his job and is on a POWER trip and his only motivation is to make HIMSELF look good to his BOSS and make YOU feel like you are a POS pee-on.
It can be a DANGEROUS place in the office!!!! DON'T be a hater.:eek::rolleyes:
firemedicmatt
11-24-08, 12:49
I stand corrected, it must be the "New Generation" thing that led to the very disrespectful post. Too much entitlement.
That Henry guy is ridiculous Matt. I have not seen any posts from him lately so obviously he got the hint.
I may be new to this forum but I can tell this man was totally out of touch with normal firefighters.
firemedicmatt
11-24-08, 14:41
Thats too bad, I miss him already.....;)
Johnny on the spot
11-24-08, 20:40
301... "TPS reports" lol... don't forget about problems with the copier such as paper jams!!
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