Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on June 30, 2009 at 12:17pm

Jonathan, its up to you and me to show the younger members what thats all about. Your right as to attitude and respect of traditional values. Those of us that have been around for a while see a change of attitude as to no respect, lack of fire or drive to do what we do for service and contribution to fellow man. BUT!, its because people growing up in this last generation have not been exposed to respect, leadership or direction starting from their home, schools and sorry to say from their Government. It is up to you and I to teach these members about respect, attention to detail, service to your community and above all integrity. If we cant do that then its time for me to hang it up because I have lost what is important to our service. I say HECK NO! Still work to do and young folks to mentor. The "Whats in it for me" generation needs to hear it loud and clear. Integrity, discipline, respect and service are alive and well today. Its up to you and I to share this and walk it.

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Vorster on June 30, 2009 at 12:27pm

I totaly agree with you,i couldnt have said it better my self.
A person just gets fed up sometimes when standards are dropped after all we are there to serve and protect the community and thus it feels that sometimes this gets forgotten.

Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on June 30, 2009 at 12:42pm

Its an attitude my friend that is up to you and me to change and influence others to change by seeing us step up and lead.

Permalink Reply by Kristen M. Krile on June 30, 2009 at 12:56pm

i would have to say you are right. I am from this last generation and i could say that I don't like being known as that generation. the one thing that i have noticed is that it is not our volunteers at our department but it is the full timer that work at other departments that join our department that have changed our descipline at our station. I work for a part time volunteer department and we have great guys but it is the full timers that work for the big city department that come in and miss up the comeradship. we never had problems with people coming in and making runs and everyone got along and now we do. My gereration is full of big headed and hard headed people that think that thier way is the only way and will not listen to or do anything different then that. and that is the big thing. if we are not opened mind then people are going to start hating other people and it will bring down a department.

Permalink Reply by Becky on June 30, 2009 at 1:23pm

It really depends on the individual station. My station is paid/volunteer combination (me being on the volunteer side), but every single one of us knows the meaning of being disciplined. We are always doing some kind of work when we are up there. But That also probably has to do with the officers. All 5 of our volunteer officers, and the 3 paid officers have all been around a while, so they keep us running like the companies they grew up with. We take very little crap from the inside. If anyone tries to start any trouble, it is dealt with before it gets too far. My station is all about respect, integrity, and service.

S, Jonathan, it really is up to you, and the other experienced members, to show the young guys what firefighting is REALLY about. I wish you the best of luck with your company, and as always, stay safe.

Permalink Reply by Daniele on June 30, 2009 at 2:19pm

My thoughts on my dept: Back in Jan of this year our Asst. Chief became our chief. THANK GOD. Prior to his taking the chair things were very loose. There was a rotation of members into officer positions. While I still question ONE of the choices (this person is NEVER on runs or comes to functions and hasn't attended a meeting in a LONG time) the others seem to be doing very well. Only the one ticks me off because she is supposed to be setting an example and is not. Our other officers are as active as can be. Our old chief was rarely on a scene that I recall, while our new one is on EVERY call, unless he's out of town. In any case being on leave I haven't witnessed this myself but hear the lectures at the meetings. Apparently there are a few members who try undermine him and the officers, and some that are veering toward the old loose way of operation. The new chief is doing his best to bring order and proffesionallism back to our dept, I cannot complain about this. Apparently some of our people were smoking on scenes and events and he believes this hurts the image of our dept so now he is planning to let ANYONE, officer or not go, if seen doing this. Also there were problems of people not wearing seatbelts in the trucks... Another now punishable offense. People questioning his orders and or/ not performing them on calls... Again a terminatable action. He is giving no room even for the officers. I appriciate his latest changes, it makes our dept look better and has removed alot of confusion from what can be chaos on a scene...

Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on June 30, 2009 at 11:35pm

Our chief is new and hes doing a great job, I think we are all getting closer and working harder because everyone feels appreciated and its relaxed when it needs to be but disciplined when it needs to be. Our board of directors are stopping by and becoming more involved and I think that is important

Permalink Reply by ashfire on July 1, 2009 at 7:58am

Our county had problems with the just recently retired county fire chief. If a volunteer company had a major discipline problem or something made the news like a fight on the fireground. The chief and his staff would suspend those involve and the station leadership for a determined time.
We lost a chief in our department because one member kept getting in trouble and the chief just gave up and left. Why this member was not terminated by our members or our leadership or anything done about him I have never understood why. I guess they would have sued the department because of who they were or they became someones best buddy but they did leave.
We have a acting county chief now who wants the career and the volunteers to work together stop, the diferences because of the money problems that are affecting the county. They want more volunteers because of the staffing reductions.

Permalink Reply by coronahawk on July 1, 2009 at 9:05pm

Sounds Really Familiar, Anthony.