need some advice on this. Its a serious matter....

To make a long story short I am considering leaving the fire service. Its not under my free will, I love the job and still get that feeling from helping people. However, lately one of our members has been making it hard for me to do my duties at Lt.
On Sunday morning aroung 3:30am we had a house fire. Upon arival to the station I hoped out and there were 2 guys out front getting their gear on. One of them was running his mouth. He was yelling that we were taking to long to get there and get ready. He went on to yell that he was glad it wasn't his house and that we are a joke. I asked him to quiet down two times and he continued to yell. At this point I am tring to hear the size up from a unit that just went on location and I am ready to call our engine in service (I was driving). In order to get some quiet I yelled at the man to shut his f&$king mouth so we could hear the radio and each other. (I knew it was wrong but it worked, he was quiet at this point and I got the needed info). The next day he went to the police chief and fire chief and made a complant on it. (I knew he would). Today I was given 30 days out and striped of Lt.
This guy and I have had a few run-ins before. He likes to say that its a race issue. (he pulls this every time he has a problem). I would like to say this, I am not a raceist person...I can prove this due to my job. I am a shop Foreman. I have people of ALL colors working for me and we all get along just fine. There has never been a problem like this with anyone else.
All this said, He has been gunning for me for the two years he has been around this station. I get no backing from the rest of the dept because they all want to stay clear of the guy. They are afraid of him. What are your thoughts on this? I'm lost here. thanks -Matt

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matthew Cosgrove on January 24, 2009 at 7:19am

I have persued the writp up on this firefighter, from what I was told by my fire officers the writeup was thrown out by the PD chief. (we are public safety...PD chief is over Fire chief). I have not been given a reason why.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Benton on March 3, 2009 at 4:26pm

I AGREE WITH THE OTHERS YOU SHOULD NOT QUIT! MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY TALKING WITH HIM MAN TO MAN AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SITUATION. AND MAYBE GO TO YOU SUPERIOR OFFICER AND FIND OUT WHY HE/SHE IS NOT BACKING YOU? IT SEEMS THAT IS AN ISSUE ALSO.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chad Furr on March 3, 2009 at 4:56pm

Stand your ground brother!!!! Do not let this idiot win. Sooner or later he will act like this around somone who has the pwer to s**t can his a**. Sounds like he is in for all the worng reasons to me. Stay safe and stay strong.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by shawn on March 3, 2009 at 8:01pm

Keep you cool bro! don't give in. And you stated that this guy has been around your dept. for two years and has been gunning for you since? Well if he hasn't gotten it, he probably wont get it. I'm sure the other see it too, but like you said, he pulles the race thing every time. It does seem to me that you were in the right for saying what you did, and shame on the cheif for not nalling him. Around our dept.,... you pull something like that your written you for insobordanation. Another thing to think about.... My dept. in its bylaws has something to the effect that if something about the company or any of its members needs to be said, then it is to brought up inside the walls of the station, and not broadcast in a matter in which the public can hear it. Again, not word for word, but something to that effect. And nothing is to be negativly said about another company outside the walls too. If it is found that you said something bad about another company that could be heard, then you are suspended and a 2nd occurance is grounds for dismissal. Even though the guys in the dept. are affraid of him, the cheif should have told him he was outta line! And why and what did he have to go to the police cheif about anyway.... I dosen't seem like you did anything illegeal to this guy. Also, our dept. gives you the oppertunity to appeal the decision, and just on what you said here I don't think would be grounds for a suspension. Stay Strong, ppl. like him don't last long.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robert Patterson on March 3, 2009 at 8:17pm

Don't leave. He's not always going to be on calls with you. You don't have to like him but you and him have a job to do. So be as professional as you can.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Charley Cashen on March 3, 2009 at 9:57pm

I'd bring him to the carpet. You, as officer of that unit, should call his actions into question. Don't back down and let him win. Bring him into the light, even if it's just going to be you. Usually the loud mouths are that way so nobody see just how useless they are at a scene. It shouldn't matter where you work due process should be afforded to everyone, including you. Good luck, Charley

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ryan Angel on March 3, 2009 at 10:11pm

It sounds like ya'll need to get him gone if ur a vol. Service u should never have it that only officers can drive we have a dept. in our county that way and during the day noone from there dept responds. If this guy is alway complaining you need to pull the complaints your a LT. not him he needs to see that that he is not in charge and you are and if this has been going on for two years theres a promable with him DON'T QUIT or he wins and you dont want that.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julia Heltemes on April 2, 2009 at 11:35am

Matt,

I agree with almost all the posts on here. He was wrong to go above your head so he was guilty of insubordination which your Chief should have made him aware of... this ff sounds as though he lacks professionalism but is rich in intimidation, a power noone should be given it only strenghthens tension within your department. In my opinion I would talk to the Chief, ask why his lack of professionalism is being held credible while your rank and professionalism was not. Playing the race card is cowardly. Race is irrelevant and for those who are afraid of him they need to buck up and stand up for what is best for the community and the department. Don't let him control you by quitting if you are passionate about what you do(and it sounds like you are) keep doing what you are doing your community needs you. I hope all works out well for you God Bless.