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Comment by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on February 3, 2010 at 1:05am

P.S. There are lots of people that will hire you in many fields BECAUSE of your skills in firefighting and crisis management. So think out side of the box for job options too. Fire investigation, haz mat, building inspectors, etc. etc. etc. Every job that I have ever applied for appreciated that I worked as a firefighter and that I can use the problem solving skills, etc. in other arenas. Just to give you some hope that you have extra options as well.

Comment by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on February 3, 2010 at 12:42am

Hi Josh: Sorry you have been backed into this corner. Hold your head high and keep on moving forward. You will find that most departments are not this chaotic, and most fire fighters want to be great community leaders and good team players. Always remember there are things to be learned by everyone, patience is important, and trust your gut. When it feels wrong, then it is probably wrong. Keep learning, and build relationships with other departments. Be cautious in bad-mouthing your current department, especially to other departments, because fire fighters can be very protective. Since you have serious concerns, make formal complaints - privately. Then move on with a clear conscience. No department is perfect, everyone will have flaws, work to make each department stronger, and help build up each member and when you find success in this path in a department, you will know that you have found a good department to be your permanent home. Good luck in your search. Don't get buried in dwelling on one negative experience - keep looking for new experiences - clear your mind and be free. Be Safe!

Comment by Joshua j Gosselin on February 1, 2010 at 5:01pm

i just want to say thanks to every one who chipped in on my problem. kinda funny a few fire chiefs from my county have gotten ahold of me and after a nice long conversation with them i have done just that turned in my things and hung up my red hat. kinda hurts but o well i guess its better then doing prison time for negligent homicide or something stupid like that. but on the good note it took me an hour and a half and i am know an active member of our neighboring county fire dept and still workin on my medic. thanks again every one and be safe!!!! Joshua J Gosselin MTFD

Comment by Tony Erickson on February 1, 2010 at 1:25pm

I'm on two depts bro...and well one is like what u discribe...i been on both for going on two years,My wife and daughter came back from the store ok...they say the neighbors house is on fire!!!!!! My pager didn't go off so i call it into co. so being i had class that night i had my gear at home i threw it on and ran over to the fire...here is my leu. standing there with a garden hose pointed at it...he looks at me and says i called anderson to bring the grass rig,1/2 ton truck holding 250 gal.by this time the house is going fully then the page goes out!!!after i called it in, an two sec. later the grass rig shows up the fire was 2 miles away from the hall...so i do my a,b,c,d, find a 3/4 full gas can 20 feet from the c side i move it....I walk around the d side and here is my leu letting the neighbors park in the yard off the driveway i walked up the first one an said move ur car we got trucks comeing in he's like tom said i could park there!!!! i said "i didn't ask u i told you now move ur freeking car !!!!!" well 10 min later ok the rest of the trucks show up we start pulling lines and dropping the tank for the pumper my leu stop us says let it burn....I'm like what the heck??????....Now heres the best part this was right after a burning ban for 3 months was lifted and we had 20mph gusts.....Heres one even better..... After everything, my leu started talking crap about me to everyone on the dept and off, running my name in the dirt...Words never hurt me and the people that know me know what i'm like sooooo screw him.....i still go to thier calls not thier meetings....an oh "I" do watch whos got my back on the calls i do go on cuz there is sum good guys on that dept....I'm trying to weed myself away from that dept cuz in the co. i'm from they have a bad rep. I found that out later...oh i can go on an on beleave me!!!!....... Just stay safe bro at all times is all i can say an change starts at the top....

Comment by Marcus A. Oliver on January 31, 2010 at 11:23pm

First thing that comes to my mind is WOW. That's just from the actions you describe. I personally would turn my gear in and move on before you or someone else gets killed at the fireground or on the way to it. Moving on sometimes is the hardest thing to do, but has to be done. Like Norm states, I'd finish school. Chalk everything you've learned good and bad as experience and apply it. After school is done test out and you will find yourself hired somewhere, remember no matter where you go nobody or place is perfect. However many are better than that.

Comment by Bryce Zitterich on January 31, 2010 at 2:26pm

Not sure how it is where you are, but here, our fire districts if not run by the city, are overseen by a board of directors. If it is the same there, then maybe the board needs to be informed of what is happening. By the sound of things, something needs to change or someone is going to set seriously hurt or killed.

Comment by Dennis Hiscock on January 31, 2010 at 1:42pm

i agree with Norm....or why not apply to another station?

Comment by Norm Tindell on January 31, 2010 at 12:48pm

Very unfortunate situation. Difficult decision after having put 8 years of your life into something. One viable option is to withdraw from the department and become "inactive" while you finish school and concentrate on finding the job you mentioned. I'd concentrate on finishing the education and getting more training until that job offer arrives. Good luck!