On 9/11/01, several members of my Department (a large metro FD) individually, decided to go to New York. On the surface this seems like a noble effort, however, is there a responsibility of those members to their own city?
I believe there is. A case in point. Our Mayor was in D.C. when the attacks occurred and was unable to return to his home City. In fact three days had elasped before he was able to get a flight out of D.C.
Had there been other significant terrorist acts in our City, the public safety could have been compromised. This is when discipline is most required. If it were necessary to hold over the off-going platoon due to extended emergency operations our own public safety might have been in greater jeporady.
I am also going to go out on the limb and offer this observation from afar. From many news accounts, several FDNY personnel self-dispatched. As an Incident Commander this must have been nerve racking.
Accountability is out of the window. The I/C would not know who is onscene for a long time. I applaude the FDNY as brave and committed firefighters but I ask where is the discipline.
I believe there is. A case in point. Our Mayor was in D.C. when the attacks occurred and was unable to return to his home City. In fact three days had elasped before he was able to get a flight out of D.C.
Had there been other significant terrorist acts in our City, the public safety could have been compromised. This is when discipline is most required. If it were necessary to hold over the off-going platoon due to extended emergency operations our own public safety might have been in greater jeporady.
I am also going to go out on the limb and offer this observation from afar. From many news accounts, several FDNY personnel self-dispatched. As an Incident Commander this must have been nerve racking.
Accountability is out of the window. The I/C would not know who is onscene for a long time. I applaude the FDNY as brave and committed firefighters but I ask where is the discipline.
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