FD relationships with the City Council

[Engine 101]

How would you describe your FD's relationship with it's City Council?, Ours has been pretty good over the past few years, They have been very supprortive of us, They always come to our pancake breakfast on fire service day, This year in honor f our 91st Anniversary, They had a little presentation for us

So how well does your fd get along with the city government?

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Engine101
Tim Macias
[email protected]
I will fight fire for Electricity

[ttjjss]

well, we have a good relationship , but it might be because...
our mayor is a firefighter
three out of six city councilmen are fire fighters,including the fire chief.
our policechief is also a firefighter
and the city clerk, is the fire chiefs wife.
so, what do you think, lol
Tyler

[ENGINE18-3]

No comment.

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The statements above are my own opinions

FF Greg Grudzinski
Oaklyn Fire Dept.
Station 18-3

[FFEMTP1163]

Having to deal wih a City councel that has no idea what we do, complains every pay period because of overtime, and is now looking for ways to get around paying FLSA overtime has put a little strain in our relationship. Ofcourse I can not blame the entire councel, there are those who back us and appreciate the job we do.

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[Chief79]

We have an excellent relationship with our council.

[firenresq77]

ttjjss - How are they all firefighters? Isn't it a conflict of interest for them to be on the fire department AND city council? Don't take it the wrong way, I'm just curious. I know some of our people who probably would run for city council if they could stay on the FD.

[Engine 101]

The FD could be a volunteer one

[ttjjss]

yes, we are an 18 member volunteer dept, in a town of about 750 population, and we cover a total of 150 square miles, with about 2000 total population.
we had to rewrite the original by-laws of the dept, they originally said no member of the dept shall be involved in politics or discuss politics at meetings or calls,it seems that most of the volunteer and elected spots in our community are filled by the same certain few people, first thing out of everyone elses mouth is, " I dont have time to do that"
then most go home and plop down in front of a tv. go figure,
TYLER

[Co11FireGal]

I can't say too much because I don't want to get myself into trouble, but... the relationship between the VFD and city council here really isn't too great. My grandpa and several other firemen once walked out of a city council meeting after the council made ridiculous rules concerning a new pumper that was purchased for the dept. by the city. I think things have been getting better w/ the new mayor, though. We see better times ahead.

[This message has been edited by Co11FireGal (edited 02-16-2001).]

[comwhite]

As a commissioner, I guess I better say we have a wonderful relationship , but the truth is we have a working relationship. As with anything, as long as things are going the way the department wants them to go, it's great. BUT, the minute we do something the department doesn't like, we don't support them. Usually though, we have a supportive commission, and grant whatever is fair.

As far as personnel serving an elected position, it could be a conflict. My guess is the official has to claim a conflict and refrain from voting on the issue. If that's not the case, then that department should be very happy with their council, and should get anything they want.

[sgtdave2002]

Here is one.. the neighooring community has a Fire Chief, been there for many years in that position, his son is the assistant fire chief and on the township board..is this legal?, oh yes and he does vote on fd related subject..what do you think???

[comwhite]

Sgt.Dave,

"oh yes and he does vote on fd related subject..what do you think???"

I think you might want to check the ethics laws of your state. I don't think there would be any problem with him serving on the Fire Dept. and being on the board. Possibly, there's nothing to prohibit him from voting on an issue that affects the department. Here we must recuse our self from a vote if, "it inures to our pecuniary benefit or loss" or to that of a family member. If the fire department is a volunteer station, my guess is there is nothing that he would vote on that benefits him or his family directly.

Now, if an issue came before the board to allow payment to firefighter's, *here* he would have to recuse himself, because of the direct benefit to him. Check the law of your state, it may be different.