Any thoughts or opinons???

[indisbelief]

TO ALL CHIEFS
Please pass on to all members that are planning on attending the live burn this Saturday (July 29) at ??? that anyone under the age of 18 will not be allowed to paticipate. Those individuals under the age of 18 may go to observe and assist with rolling hose or other duties. Sorry for the inconvenience or misunderstanding. Evidently once again someone from the "PAID" sector has issues with this even though a "PAID" Battalion Chief has taken under age volunteers into a live burn before. I guess that since he was "PAID" and had that little piece of toilet paper that that makes it ok instead of a volunteer being able to take someone under age into a live burn. I am just guessing, but evidently the individual (s) that are bitching are obviously worried about something since this 160 class had so many people in it. I want to thank all the individuals who have helped out with the class. Also please make sure that the individuals that are going to bring plenty of nfluids to drink. We don't want anybody going down and we don't want to stress any individuals that have that piece of toilet paper out anymore than what they already are.



This is an email sent out by a volunteer fire chief regarding some FF 1 training. The underage incident has not been confirmed, but it is believed that the Batt Chief DID NOT TAKE THEM/LET THEM IN DURING THE LIVE BURN. The "tolietpaper" he is refering to is the min. requirements to become a career FF. Basically FF1 & FF2, also this indivdual is a career FF himself for the DOD and has the "tolietpaper". Does anyone have thoughts or opinions on the matter??

[FWDbuff]

Sure. Here's my opinion, which is reflected by probably every state in these United States through their Child Labor Laws- That anyone under the age of 18 will not operate in an IDLH Environment. Period.

[indisbelief]

Thats was my point, why would someone risk there job, for so little.

[FWDbuff]

Thats was my point, why would someone risk there job, for so little.

-Did it affect YOU in any way? Did YOU go home safely, with all your body parts intact and in the same condition as when you began your shift?

-Let me share some advice I can bestow on you after having been a career firefighter for 10 years, and a volunteer for 17:

-Start at the SOURCE. Instead of airing your dirty laundry here in an open forum, go to the subject of your anger. Tell him or her that you would like to have an off-duty out of firehouse discussion. Wait till you are off shift. Meet in a neutral place such as the firehouse parking lot or out front.

-Advise them directly, to their face, of your greivances. See what they have to say or not to say. Perhaps the situation could be settled between you and him right then and there. Speak as gentlemen, voice your opinion, and weigh their replies with the credit it is due.

-If talking directly to the person does not satisfy you, start with your senior man, the "First Whip." Approach him quietly and discreetly, and voice your mind to him, and ask him what would he do? One of two things will happen: He will either help you to straighten out the problem, or advise you to use the chain of command. Remember, much like in the Navy where Chiefs run the ship, the Senior Man in a firehouse "runs the firehouse" or company. Many times, he is the eyes, ears and pulse of the company for the Company Officer. I am a senior man in both my volunteer and career organization. I have had guys come to me before- I try to encourage them to settle it on their own accord. If they want me to take action, I will consider it, and if I think it worthy, I will. I have gone to officers before, voiced the men's concerns, and have been told "we'll take care of it, we'll look into it, or Tell whoever it is to use the chain of command."

-If the senior man so advises, utilize your unified chain of command. Go to your company commander, the shift or batallion commander, etc right up the line until someone does or chooses not to do anything. If they choose not to, so be it. You aired your grievance and freed your mind of whatever it is that is bothering it. You only have one responsibility here- to act as a member of a team ensuring that everyone on your team goes home safely. Period.

Oh, and one more thing.......Stop before you act on this, and THINK:

-Does what the other guy is doing effect the safety of you or your crew? Does it effect the welfare and morale of what happens in YOUR firehouse? if not, forget it and move on. Let him do what he wants, so long as it does not effect your firehouse's "Karma."

No offense, but this sounds like you have a personal beef with whoever it is. If you choose to take this further, do so only with hard evidence- and remember, if he broke state laws, criminal charges could be brought forth on the individual. Take it further only after exhausting all of the above options, especially the one in dark print, which should always come first.

choose wisely.