When Doing the Right Thing Isn't The Right Thing

Has anyone here ever been dissmissed(from volunteer service) for wanting your department to follow NFPA guidelines and regulations or even simply wanting your department to have something as simple as written SOP's for everyone to follow?Have you ever been called a sh!t disturber by any of your officers(including your chief)for the same reasons mentioned above?Are there any other small community volunteer departments that operate in the manner of a "country club" where only the years of service(seniority) dictate who can do what and when?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions,please advise me on how you handeled this situation and the outcome of such,for this is the situation I find myself in at this moment.However, my department has given the "official" reason as being a lack of respect towards officers and conduct unbecomming for the manner in wich I would question certain behaviors and decisions. Any suggestions or comments welcome.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Arsenault on September 9, 2010 at 11:54pm

Thank you everyone for your comments,opinions,and criticisms.

Just thought I'd let you know the status of my situation; for those who wonder.Well,first and foremost,after long deliberation, I have decided that I would not contest the decision of my ex department.After all,they are not the only FD in my area, and many of these are always short on staff and looking for members who are devoted to the safety of its community with dignity,honor,and professionalism this fine service demands and requires.

With this said,after learning of my demise,fellow firefighters from my former department have strongly voiced their opinions on the manner I was dismissed,and are furthermore looking foreward to the upcomming officer elections to install the type of people I have spoken of above in all officer positions.Many of them have also asked me to persue my case further in order to be reinstated.My decision stands,that so long as self serving,power tripping idiots who's life's only dream was to ride the big red trucks in the right front seat are in positions of authority(2 of them),I will not want to be associated with such childish wannabes.After all,isn't a fire department meant to serve its community and not itself at the expense of its community?

So, now I shall follow the advice some of you have so strongly advised...and I'll shut up!!
Thank you very much,
Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Rex Oates on September 10, 2010 at 9:03pm

Read the Texas State Fire Marshall's report on the LODD of rookie firefighter Phillip Townsend, and it will answer the question for you. Rank and experience mean something, but not everything. All of us need to be aware of what is going on around us.
Some of the most dangerous people in the fire service are those who are set in their ways, and those who "know it all". If you are thinking that you have a situation in hand, then your mind is not open to all the surroundings. Tunnel vision they call it. I've noticed over the years, that it has more to do with a person's attitude, than the amount of education and/or experience.
I've noticed that people that know it all, are the most reluctant to admit to a fault or mistake.
Especially in the post 9/11 world, we all need to be alert, slow down, be safe, and keep our eyes and ears open, and go home at the end of the shift. God bless the bereaved families of 9/11/01. I was on duty that day, and it is seared into my memory. I will be praying for them tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on September 10, 2010 at 9:39pm

Ron,
I hope you've learned a valuable lesson from this and some of the other threads on this web site: We talk a huge game about safety, procedure, and "everyone goes home" but as soon as someone questions anything - you're a newbie and should shut up! I've seen this in countless departments. "White Hat Syndrome" is a global phenomenon.

Good luck. I'd advise you to pick your battles wisely. I've taken to not saying anything any more. Let these idiots kill themselves. Let's continue to look like a bunch of yahoos to the public, and provide less than excellent service. I'll keep myself and any probies nearby from getting hurt, the "experienced" guys can dig their own graves; I'm done arguing.