Are You KIDDING ME??? Sign the Pledge Already, what's wrong with you?!

Engineco913 has posted a Seatbelt Pledge that YOU, my fellow Nation-ites, can sign.

No, you don't have to wear a gown that opens up the back

Yes, you can keep your shoes on

No, it won't hurt, it won't even pinch a little

No, it doesn't come in different colors

But yes, it DOES come with side effects......a healthier and whole fire and EMS service; the members of which will be more likely to go home to their loved ones if they adhere to the promise they are about to sign.
Here's the link:
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topic/show?id=889755%3ATopic...

There are less than 100 signatures on this pledge, and I can't for the life of me fathom why?
There should be THOUSANDS of signatures by now. Save your brothers and sisters, save yourselves, and sign it.

What are you waiting for? To come home in a box?

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Permalink Reply by kel1985 on March 6, 2008 at 3:34pm

There is strength in numbers. I'm not against the ultimate goal, just how we get there.
There are some God awful number of firefighters out there nation wide. (5 million plus is just a guess on my end).
Rather than lobbying the politicians in place, if we would simply form a significant voting bloc, (in our city, county, state, nation) the political powers that be would actually answer to us, rather than us having to justify ourselves to them.
I have no preconceived notions about "the system". Actually I sort of like it.
But we have to start at home.
Address the problem through training and SOGs.
If somebody from your company won't wear a seatbelt, don't let him respond on your apparatus, retrain him. If he pushes the issue through multiple offenses, a suspension is in order, followed (if needed) by expulsion from your department.
Is that harsh? Yep. Will it get the message through to the next guy? Yep.

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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on March 6, 2008 at 10:34pm

Mel did Crotty leave the smoke machine on again?

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on March 7, 2008 at 10:13pm

Why do you need a pledge?

For crying out loud, on a daily basis we see the results of people not wearing belts and you're telling me we need this to make a commitmment to our own safety??!!

What a load of BS! You don't need a pledge or a change in laws or clarification on law interpretation- we ALL know that seatbelts save lives....

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on March 7, 2008 at 10:47pm

But this is not peer pressure.

We see this stuff daily and we still need to be reminded that it isn't safe? BS!

Do we need to be reminded to wear our bunker gear in a fire? NO!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on March 7, 2008 at 11:30pm

NOW you're singing my song Cap.....thank you for saying what everyone else loves to pussyfoot around.

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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on March 8, 2008 at 7:26am

In your end of the world it may be law to wear them, but here in some states it is still not law. It is for this reason I started the pledge. The pledge is hopefully to get some lawmakers to open their damn eyes a bit and make it a law across the country.
Go ahead and write your "bitch blogs" about pledges and promises. I have counted 3 LODD"s attributed to lack of seat belts in the past week alone. You're one pea in a very big pod called the fire service and although you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to tell you if your not there to support, than leave it alone, and let us continue on our quest to make seat belt useage law.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on March 8, 2008 at 8:02am

"But this is not peer pressure.

We see this stuff daily and we still need to be reminded that it isn't safe? BS!

Do we need to be reminded to wear our bunker gear in a fire? NO!"

Lutan, from your posts your situation down under regarding the structure and organization of the fire service is completely different from what many of us have here in the US. "Utopian" may be a bit strong.

Here, today, right at this very moment, there are thousands of firefighters - THOUSANDS - who still do not get it. Seat belts interfere with donning their coats or SCBA. They need to be "ready" when the rig pulls up.

Or, they are too hyped up with adrenaline that when they get into their POV they forget everything they were ever taught.

Or, they are either unconvinced that seat belts save lives, or are mulishly against having their "rights" interfered with and dictated by others.

It may be hard for you to believe but as of a week ago I could have taken pictures of two experienced FFs at a scene, without complete bunker gear. It happens routinely.

So - until each of the unbelievers or non-conformers or noobs finally gets it, and buckles up as a matter of habit - we are going to keep beating the drum. And encouraging everyone else to spread the word.

Call it peer pressure if you will, but I would rather call it leadership by example.