Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on March 29, 2010 at 8:44pm

Do you really think this is the place to air your Departments dirty laundry...? Isn't this very similar to what caused the problem to start with.....I am a strong believer in what happens at the Firehouse stays at the Firehouse.....Sorry just my point of view.......Paul

Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on March 29, 2010 at 8:50pm

As a person who has been suspended several times, rule #1, never get suspended for something dumb. Thats what you did. He say she say. Get suspended for defending someone or yourself. For fighting for whats right for even refusing a really stupid order or rule (except on the fire scene) but never something dumb. Okay its not dumb to you and I understand how you feel.

I take it you belong to a volunteer company like myself. Most boards are stupid, make thier own rules and don't folllow written rules. Our rule is that the suspended person gets a hearing within 10 days if they appeal. But guess what, The board set the date so guess when the meeting is......9 days. And you have to serve your suspension until the appeal hearing. Even though the goverment doesn't make you serve time when you appeal.

Dealing with people in power in a volunteer situation is a losing endeavor. Sure you can take it to court as a 5th amendment issue but what will you get in the long run? Only you can be the judge of that.

Permalink Reply by JOHN KUZMEK on March 29, 2010 at 9:04pm

Thanks Craig, I guess You understand.

Permalink Reply by Russ on March 29, 2010 at 11:53pm

you got this right buddy. i got caught up in a situation in my vollie department where a guy overrode my orders on an ambulance run. I ordered the patient to go to hospital "A" and he took it upon himself to take us to hospital "C" because he wanted to. i told him he goes where i tell him to and he took me to a department hearing over it and banked on his years in the department to win it for him. This was not the first time he'd done this and other guys just didnt want to challenge someone with his amount of years in the department. his best one was passing out cards of a friends funeral home on DOA's. At the hearing He had one big problem though, I was the EMT in charge and he is only certified as an ambulance driver. i won but it put a sour taste in his company's mouth and it became a "company war". in the end i had the ambulance committee ban him from responding alltogether. he really got pissed at that and when he tried to fight that, the county stepped in and setteled the deal by reminding him, the chief and the commissioners that state certified medics have a standard of care and protocols that they must follow. any violation could result in a suspension of the ambulance service. he didnt like loosing and quit the department

Permalink Reply by Eng10Squad on March 30, 2010 at 11:11am

Speaking as a board member at my Vol. Fire Dept. Things that are said at meeting should stay in the meetings. Now having said that do things get out? Of Coarse they do. Is that something you should be suspended for? No. I am not sure your board or chief for that matter has the power to do that. If it is not in the bylaws it can not be enforced unless it is in the S.O.G's. But really getting a lawyer involved? It can't be that bad can it? Airing company issues in the public is never a good thing but it certainly is not a cause for suspension. I am sure in your bylaws it states you get a verbal warning and then a written to be suspended. Atleast that is how things run at our house. let me know if you have any other questions. Good Luck John!