STATter 911

And in Washington, DC the acclaimed Chief Rubin has a real brain-child of PUTTING COMPANIES OUT OF SERVICE to raise money.

Thats right! If your house catches on fire or you stop breathing at the wrong time, the company first-due (CLOSEST) to your house may be available, but they may not respond because they have been ordered to FUNDRAISE INSTEAD OF COLLECT EMERGENCY FUNDS.

Now I have nothing against the MDA or fundraising to help disabled kids. I think its a great idea. But it should be done by:
- Volunteering on your day off
- At least having companies remain in service.

Who's fundraising for the kid that gets burned up or dies because the CLOSEST fire apparatus was out of service raising money for someone else?? FUNDRAISING IS NOT WHAT THE TAXPAYERS PAY US FOR!

Companies are being put out of service for 2-3 hours. As I recall, the DCFD is currently trying to TERMINATE 4 firefighters who were out of service on ambulances for similar amounts of time. Is there REALLY A DIFFERENCE??

Dave, of all the stories you do - this ought to be one you follow up on.
 

For the enlightened (and disgruntled) anonymous DCFD employee who posted above. DC companies are no longer out of service for this effort. That was a foolish decision, even though other cirucmstances cause companies to move or go out of service daily, but those reasons are deemed acceptable by management. This fundraising drive is also a strictly voluntary effort on the part of each employee, if they do not want to participate then they do not have to. They can sit in the engine or truck while the other members that feel that this is a worthwhile cause do what they can. You sound like the type of individual who will complain about anything and everything that doesn't suit your image of what you think this Fire Department should be doing. And by the way those guys on the block for dodging calls and placing a greater burden on the other firefighters in ambulances to pick up the slack were derelict in their duties. To compare this fundraising effort to their actions is truly ignorant. You don't want to help, then don't its that simple. Just grow up, start acting like an adult, stop complaining about everything, and realize that this is your job, not your volley house.
 

AMEN to the above post! Some people like to complain about everything. Get a life.
 

Well said anonymous #2.

You echo the MAJORITY of the real DC Firefighters. You scumbags who come to work every day to do absolutely NOTHING, are what is wrong with this dept. today. You pieces of crap NEVER support any effort that WE make to help or improve the way of life for someone. You laugh at this effort, HEROES, the Burn Foundation or any other worthwhile charity. BUT I am damn sure your sorry asses will be the first in line with your hand out if you should ever be as UN-Lucky to need help from one of these GREAT organizations.

Just sit on the rig and pout while the REAL brothers/sisters help out.
 

I am sure that the first poster will who is so concerned with the status of his brother and sister union members, and against volunteering for MDA will be...

One of the first to volunteer on a PGFD fire engine while his union brothers & sisters in PG get Furloughed.
 

They have to come to work to sleep after along night at the PG & Mont. vollie houses. Up all night lighting fire works and playing grab _ss.
 

The MDA is worthwhile endeavor, but using on-duty personnel is equal to having paid fund raisers. If the commitment is that strong, the IAFF members should truly donate their time to the cause. Does the same apply to other municipal agencies - should PD, Public Works, Teachers, and others be permitted to stand in the street and pan handle? To suggest that members who do not participate are not alienated by the the peer pressure of their co-workers is ignoring the obvious.