IAVFF............should us as volunteers push?

should us as volunteer firefighters push to have a union that accepts we do the same job as a paid guy (not pushing the IAFF down) but i mean if u look at it there are more people who put there time there gas to save there asses and i know we dont pull shifts (some VOL departments have them pull shifts so calm down) but we here tones just like a guy with a pay check roll our butts out of bed to ware the same badge so any input or support welcome (i respect the IAFF 100% so please dont get mad at how i put things)

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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on November 30, 2009 at 9:58am

"...over regulating fire departments." Seriously? How do you figure that? Is it NFPA 1001, 1403, 1582, 1021, 1521? How is being screened (hiring, medical), physically capable, well trained (and continuously trained) making it impossible to become a volunteer? You would rather fat, incompetent, questionable people with no ability and less leadership putting out fires? And you think volunteers are the same as paid?

Anyone else see the irony of "over regulating fire departments" in a discussion of volunteer unions "...to have a union that accepts we do the same job as a paid guy..." and "...we here tones just like a guy with a pay check roll our butts out of bed to ware the same badge...".

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on November 30, 2009 at 10:00am

Huh? How are you a IAFF member? Your profile shows volunteer... as does mine... you better smack your "buddy"...

Permalink Reply by Tony Abbott on November 30, 2009 at 10:03am

im also a DOD firefighter but VOL in my spare time sorry to confuse you guys so i kinda see it in the two ways (paid and VOL) yea and i looked at those strikers on ebay there cheep ass knock offs

Permalink Reply by Oldman on November 30, 2009 at 10:06am

I already belong to a union. It's called the Texas State Fireman's and Fire Marshals Association.

The SFFMA is one of the largest trade associations in Texas. The 133 year old organization is the oldest and the largest fire service association in the state. Membership includes 1200 fire departments, 21,000+ individual members, and 80 industrial fire brigades. The cornerstone of the organization is the Certification Program for volunteer firefighters, which encourages training, education and certification for all volunteers. The SFFMA founded and now supports and sponsors the world's largest fire training school, at Texas A&M University, providing instructors and professional service on the TEEX Fire School's Advisory Board. In addition, the association is extremely active in its legislative efforts that effect the fire service of Texas.

Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on November 30, 2009 at 10:11am

"Too Much Pride"
Reply by Tony Abbott 6 minutes ago
all of our apparatus was destroyed in a flood last year and with how the econ is it was A) make my truck a response truck or were out a dept as far as my lights NOTHING is seen until i flip the switches there all hideaways

Tony how is that, if you're paid you're passing yourself off as only volunteer? I'm thinking that maybe you were -or wish you were- paid.

Permalink Reply by Bryan Lay on November 30, 2009 at 10:27am

Nice.
We have people that do what they can. Our limitations of people that want to help makes us take those who will never be in an entry team, but can do other on scene tasks that still need to be done. We as a department understand our volunteers capabitlities, and place them on the scene where they will be effective.
When there is NO budget, you get the job done.
Incompetence has no place anywhere, but to say my Volunteer department does not do an effective job is not for you to decide.

Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on November 30, 2009 at 10:37am

Re-read what I said, I didn't say "your" department. I asked a rhetorical question. But if it weren't for NFPA (and OSHA) departments would be using grannies and kids.

You say your dept. understands your volunteer capabilities and uses them accordingly, well and good but that does not address your statement about there being too many regulations making it impossible to volunteer.

No budget? How can your community expect any level of fire protection if they aren't willing to pay for it?

Permalink Reply by Bryan Lay on November 30, 2009 at 11:10am

Your exactly right, they are not willing to pay. I live in one of the poorest counties in the state. People that want to help cannot. So if we have a truck driver that lives next to the firehouse that is 280 lb's that can get the truck to the scene in 2 minutes, but nfpa says he can only weigh 250, is that a reason not to let him help? Even though as a cdl driver he has passed a physical to be able to drive a semi on the same roads as you and your children?
Believe me, we Need regulation. I just don't think everyone agrees with all of them.
Just like we would never place that driver on an entry team, I still think there is a place for him.
At the same time, people expect us to show-up when they need us.

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 30, 2009 at 11:15am

Tony,
You list in your profile that you are farmer for your day job, side job as custom RV and you list yourself as a volunteer, but state you are a DOD FF and an IAFF member. Hmmm, confusing.

Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on November 30, 2009 at 11:22am

Not to mention that his avatar is SO professional.
I'm not buying what he's selling.
I'm out.

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 30, 2009 at 11:27am

C'mon, please. You stated you think there are too many regulations making it difficult for volunteers to be around as your reasoning "something has to be done".
There is NO NFPA regulation that mandates a weight standard for anyone. I guess our 285# FF is just useless, despite the fact he has passed all the recommended physical fitness standards and physical agility testing to get the job. Are you really sure you understand some of these requirements you are talking about?

Such regulations are not pushed upon just from paid career FF's and union members. Regulations were put in place to protect ALL firefighters, because of incidents in the past which claimed lives of firefighters.

As already mentioned there are organizations geared for volunteers. But the OP wants to create some sort of volunteer "union". So what would a volunteer union do for you that really hasn't been addressed already? Volunteers "do the job for free" at least many state so here, so where is a union going to fight for hours, wages, working condidtions? Or should we just get rid of regulations out there because it is tough for some people to volunteer? Maybe get rid of having SCBA's, those are too costly, we can go back to breathing smoke. Let's not worry about enclosed cabs, we can have FF's ride the tailboards. Let's get rid of PPE, after all that too is a cost.

Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on November 30, 2009 at 11:27am