Monday, May 4, 2009
UPDATED: Search warrant served at Prince George's County firehouse. Sources say federal & local investigators are looking for evidence of arson ring.
Click here and then scroll down for the latest fire and EMS news from STATter911.com
Read original story from April 20
Read follow-up story from April 21
Read May 4 and April 21 statements from Riverdale VFD officials
Watch Scott Broom's 7:00 PM report (or here)
STATter911.com has learned that Prince George's County fire investigators and ATF agents showed up at the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department (PGFD Station 807) during the noon hour today. We are told by sources familiar with the investigation a sealed search warrant was served. 9NEWS NOW reporter Scott Broom, on the scene, reports the investigators searched the firehouse and were loading material into vehicles parked in the apparatus bays.
According to the sources, investigators were looking for evidence of a possible firefighter arson ring operating in the county. As STATter911.com was first to report on April 20, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department received claims that volunteer firefighters had been setting fires in vacant homes. Officials, so far, have not announced any arrests in the case.
Since the story broke, PGFD's only official statement acknowledges an investigation is underway into suspicious fires in six homes that have burned since January. The department has released no information indicating there are firefighters in the county suspected of arson.
At Riverdale VFD, Chief Charles Ryan III and President Stephen Lamphier issued a joint statement Monday evening that says in part:
The department continues to cooperate with the investigation into arson allegations that have been publicized recently. In doing so, investigators were unimpeded in their execution of a sealed search warrant on the premises of the Riverdale Fire Department.
As this continues to be a law-enforcement related personnel matter, The Riverdale Fire Department, Inc. cannot comment on any details. The department's members and officers continue to cooperate 100% with the investigation to ensure an expeditious and accurate resolution to these allegations.
Sources confirm that a handful of volunteers remain operationally suspended from Riverdale VFD and at least one other station in the county. One of the Riverdale volunteers suspended is also a career firefighter in neighboring Montgomery County. Investigators from the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service are part of the investigative team.
According to sources, some of the targeted firefighters are live-in members at Riverdale. The warrant allowed the investigators to go through the firehouse looking for possible evidence connected to those individuals and the series of fires.
Because it involves a sealed warrant, PGFD Chief Spokesman Mark Brady said Monday afternoon that he is not at liberty to talk about the activity.
The investigators completed their work shortly after 5:00 PM. According to sources, the volunteer crew at the station left the firehouse with Tower 807 and Ambulance 807 shortly after the investigators arrived and remained on-the-air available for calls until they left.
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whateva...like the stuff is still there....what a silly show....they got nothing....if tey had something it would not take this long to do nothing...reminds me of that commercial
# posted by 
: May 4, 2009 6:07 PM
: May 4, 2009 6:07 PM
Dave,
Can you define what a live in member is. Do they live there on the county's money or do they just spend the night on duty night. I for one as a county tax payer would be kind of upset if they are using the taxpayers money to live there for free.
Can you define what a live in member is. Do they live there on the county's money or do they just spend the night on duty night. I for one as a county tax payer would be kind of upset if they are using the taxpayers money to live there for free.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 7:39 PM
: May 4, 2009 7:39 PM
Next is DC. Warrants out for arrest for DCFD officers that were lighting vacant houses off for practice. Nothing happend to them and nothing will happen to these guys.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 8:05 PM
: May 4, 2009 8:05 PM
I hope they catch the volunteers at Riverdale and shut that place down for good. That station is a dump. Just like Boulevard Heights, they are not needed and wouldn't be missed. Bladensburg, Hyattsville, College Park, and Riverdale Hieghts could easily cover the area without them. The county could save some money and redeploy the career guys somewhere more useful.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 8:16 PM
: May 4, 2009 8:16 PM
A live in member lives in the station at no charge.They pay their rent by getting up in the middle of the night and when not at work to run fire and medical calls. These people are volunteers, so they are not paid which saves you as a tax payer thousands of dollars.This county can't afford to pay people 24-7 in every station.They are having a hard enough time paying personnel that they have now.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 8:30 PM
: May 4, 2009 8:30 PM
To the person asking the question about live-in members.
These are firefighters who make the firehouse their primary residence in exchange for responding on calls and other duties that may come from being a firefighter. It is a common practice in many volunteer fire departments here and all across the country and is far from a new concept.
Hope this helps.
Statter
These are firefighters who make the firehouse their primary residence in exchange for responding on calls and other duties that may come from being a firefighter. It is a common practice in many volunteer fire departments here and all across the country and is far from a new concept.
Hope this helps.
Statter
Like the guy who shoots fire works out of his behind. He is an example of a live in member. Homeless and without a job, rides fire trucks for fun and gets high praise from his volunteer buddies and the community.
Welcome to PG Fire Department.
Welcome to PG Fire Department.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 9:33 PM
: May 4, 2009 9:33 PM
Alleged Alleged Alleged
Lets just try that word for a while.
Every one
a - ledg - ed
As far as the other departments. Yeah they might be around but as far as fighting any fire. I'm glad the trolls are round.
They can do without the paid guys anyway.
Riverdale will come out on top.
Lets just try that word for a while.
Every one
a - ledg - ed
As far as the other departments. Yeah they might be around but as far as fighting any fire. I'm glad the trolls are round.
They can do without the paid guys anyway.
Riverdale will come out on top.
# posted by : May 4, 2009 10:01 PM
: May 4, 2009 10:01 PM
All i got to say is i hope it is not true. Not only does it look bad on riverdale's part but it looks bad on every other volunteer fire dept and the paid staffing. As a volunteer in the 4th I'm sure the public will look at us differently now because of this. Now it will take 500 right things to make up for 1 wrong thing that is done. First, the hole Michael D. Murphy thing from station 834 and now this! Speaking of that Dave do you know anything that happened on his case for the fire he lit on University BL?
# posted by : May 5, 2009 1:40 AM
: May 5, 2009 1:40 AM
Dave
"These are firefighters who make the firehouse their primary residence in exchange for responding on calls and other duties that may come from being a firefighter. It is a common practice in many volunteer fire departments here and all across the country and is far from a new concept".
I am confused. You state that this is a common practice. This does not happen where I live. Following your blog I have seen how a chief and his family lived at a station in rural Virginia and were terminated for that practice. Kent Islands new Firehouse specifically prohibits this practice. I would have to say this is not a common practice and only leads to problems.
"These are firefighters who make the firehouse their primary residence in exchange for responding on calls and other duties that may come from being a firefighter. It is a common practice in many volunteer fire departments here and all across the country and is far from a new concept".
I am confused. You state that this is a common practice. This does not happen where I live. Following your blog I have seen how a chief and his family lived at a station in rural Virginia and were terminated for that practice. Kent Islands new Firehouse specifically prohibits this practice. I would have to say this is not a common practice and only leads to problems.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 7:59 AM
: May 5, 2009 7:59 AM
IRRITATING!!!! There seems to be a lot of people who have NO idea what goes on in a firehouse setting. The hell with the firehouse setting, why don’t you go do something for free that consumes your whole life! Volunteer some damn place! It does not even have to be in the fire service. Give some of your time for free! The County could not afford to have the people who give up/miss birth of their children, deaths of loved ones (you get my point) to not be around. Hey residents of Fine Prince Georges you want higher taxes, AND a higher response time to your elderly grandmother who just coded (because you know they are not going to use that extra money to pay for EMS/Fire Service. They already demonstrated that with this on going furlough issue), keep bashing the Volunteers.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 9:52 AM
: May 5, 2009 9:52 AM
Dude there is no comparison to this Fire Department. You cannot compare PGFD to MONT. DC. Fairfax, A.A. or any other FD in the Country / World wide. I challenge anyone out there to find a Fire Departmet who allows partime volunteer Fire Fighters who are in charge of career Fire fighters. Volunteers who out rank Career Battalion Chiefs.
You say they save tax payers money. The tax payers are the ones who pay for the heat, AC. Gas and diesel to all of those Volunteer Fire Houses. Nothing is free so you all need to get with reality.
Unless these Volunteer Organizations are raising their own funds. The Tax payers are footing the bills.
I am waiting for the Challenge.
You say they save tax payers money. The tax payers are the ones who pay for the heat, AC. Gas and diesel to all of those Volunteer Fire Houses. Nothing is free so you all need to get with reality.
Unless these Volunteer Organizations are raising their own funds. The Tax payers are footing the bills.
I am waiting for the Challenge.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 10:03 AM
: May 5, 2009 10:03 AM
10:03, it has been well posted that the leadership of PGFD has been working to stop the local VFDs from having social halls & raising money.
Just yesterday (Monday 5/04/09)there was a article about the Brandywine VFD. It seems that PGFD wants to build them a new fire station WITHOUT a social hall, which they use regularly to raise money for the department.
So, yes, some VFDs are attempting to raise funds. The county doesn't seem to want to cooperate.
Just yesterday (Monday 5/04/09)there was a article about the Brandywine VFD. It seems that PGFD wants to build them a new fire station WITHOUT a social hall, which they use regularly to raise money for the department.
So, yes, some VFDs are attempting to raise funds. The county doesn't seem to want to cooperate.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 10:48 AM
: May 5, 2009 10:48 AM
The only thing missing from this 3 ringer is Jery Springer and the HOOKMAN from DCFEMS. What's it gonna take for the citizens of PG to realize that they are getting what they are paying for.....nothing.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 11:15 AM
: May 5, 2009 11:15 AM
Ecellent point, you can't compare PGFD with surrounding departments. You forgot to mention most of these volunteers that out rank career battalion chiefs are scabs from the departments you named and come here to make problems. They take a few MFRI classes, win a popularity contest and now they're in charge. The combination system may save a few dollars in salary, but more than makes up for it in headaches.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 11:40 AM
: May 5, 2009 11:40 AM
To all the volunteer bashers out there, yep you paid guys who shouldn't be on the computer while you're at work--go do your job or wash a truck or something else your paid for. If you think the taxpayers love you so much, go get your union to put it on the next ballot to have all paid guys, yeh float a bond and raise taxes to pay for it. Let the voters decide whether they want vollies or paid guys, sumtin tells me the paid guys will have their tails between their legs and the vollies will still be loved by all taxpayers out there. The challenge is made, lets see that union flex its muscle and do it or just have alot of belly flab.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 12:30 PM
: May 5, 2009 12:30 PM
"Dude there is no comparison to this Fire Department. You cannot compare PGFD to MONT. DC. Fairfax, A.A. or any other FD in the Country / World wide. I challenge anyone out there to find a Fire Departmet who allows partime volunteer Fire Fighters who are in charge of career Fire fighters. Volunteers who out rank Career Battalion Chiefs.
You say they save tax payers money. The tax payers are the ones who pay for the heat, AC. Gas and diesel to all of those Volunteer Fire Houses. Nothing is free so you all need to get with reality.
Unless these Volunteer Organizations are raising their own funds. The Tax payers are footing the bills.
I am waiting for the Challenge"
What challenge are you waiting for, its simple: Volunteers raise money through fund drives and events, the local raises money through fund drives and events. Fuel,electric etc would be there with an all paid dept so whats your point. The savings to the tax payers is in NOT PAYING BLOATED SALARIES TO ANY SCHMUCK WHO CAN GET 50% OR HIGHER ON THE ENTRANCE EXAM. And have you seen some of these "career battalion chiefs" in action, WOW!!! Great stuff to brag about
You say they save tax payers money. The tax payers are the ones who pay for the heat, AC. Gas and diesel to all of those Volunteer Fire Houses. Nothing is free so you all need to get with reality.
Unless these Volunteer Organizations are raising their own funds. The Tax payers are footing the bills.
I am waiting for the Challenge"
What challenge are you waiting for, its simple: Volunteers raise money through fund drives and events, the local raises money through fund drives and events. Fuel,electric etc would be there with an all paid dept so whats your point. The savings to the tax payers is in NOT PAYING BLOATED SALARIES TO ANY SCHMUCK WHO CAN GET 50% OR HIGHER ON THE ENTRANCE EXAM. And have you seen some of these "career battalion chiefs" in action, WOW!!! Great stuff to brag about
# posted by : May 5, 2009 1:03 PM
: May 5, 2009 1:03 PM
Ah yes...this is like traveling back in time to the 1980's when a number of their members tested positive for using drugs and were thrown out of the system. The more things change the more they stay the same.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 1:10 PM
: May 5, 2009 1:10 PM
Hey Waiting for the challenge.
If all the volunteers went away today and took their apparatus, the citizens of PG county would be screwed.
The paid guys are there from 7-3 at Riverdale. Monday through Friday. Not on holidays, or weekends, or FURLOUGH days. And guess what the volunteers are there during those times too. Career staffing 3 Firefighters and 1 Captain. Figure the FF's make 40,000 a year and the Captain makes $65,000. Thats 180,000 a year for the short time that they are there. Now add $360,00 to that for the remaining time that the volunteers staff the station.
Clear enough for you.
And the money for fuel, heating etc comes out of money ALLOCATED for these expenses by the PG Fire Commission.
I sleep pretty well at night knowing the volunteers are there.
I know on Thanksgiving its the volunteers at Riverdale who respond to calls. I know on Christmas Eve, its the volunteers who respond to calls.
Where are you on the holidays? With your family or providing a service for free to the community?
If all the volunteers went away today and took their apparatus, the citizens of PG county would be screwed.
The paid guys are there from 7-3 at Riverdale. Monday through Friday. Not on holidays, or weekends, or FURLOUGH days. And guess what the volunteers are there during those times too. Career staffing 3 Firefighters and 1 Captain. Figure the FF's make 40,000 a year and the Captain makes $65,000. Thats 180,000 a year for the short time that they are there. Now add $360,00 to that for the remaining time that the volunteers staff the station.
Clear enough for you.
And the money for fuel, heating etc comes out of money ALLOCATED for these expenses by the PG Fire Commission.
I sleep pretty well at night knowing the volunteers are there.
I know on Thanksgiving its the volunteers at Riverdale who respond to calls. I know on Christmas Eve, its the volunteers who respond to calls.
Where are you on the holidays? With your family or providing a service for free to the community?
# posted by : May 5, 2009 4:03 PM
: May 5, 2009 4:03 PM
Volunteers tried to raise their own funds. But the county took away all the fund raising efforts, including the boot drives.
Get your facts straight. Or you can just call the volunteers at Riverdale and say Thanks!
Get your facts straight. Or you can just call the volunteers at Riverdale and say Thanks!
# posted by : May 5, 2009 4:05 PM
: May 5, 2009 4:05 PM
Dude there is no comparison to this Fire Department. You cannot compare PGFD to MONT. DC. Fairfax, A.A. or any other FD in the Country / World wide. I challenge anyone out there to find a Fire Departmet who allows partime volunteer Fire Fighters who are in charge of career Fire fighters. Volunteers who out rank Career Battalion Chiefs.
I guess you have never been outside the Washington Metro area, because your lucky if you find a combination system where the career are totally in charge. Start in VA, and work your way south to Fla. It kills me to see people who really don't know what they are talking about before writing or opening their mouth to be heard. Take your IAFF self and go worry about your furloughs, and which one of you will be gone in July. Maybe start a lottery on who will be let go first.
I guess you have never been outside the Washington Metro area, because your lucky if you find a combination system where the career are totally in charge. Start in VA, and work your way south to Fla. It kills me to see people who really don't know what they are talking about before writing or opening their mouth to be heard. Take your IAFF self and go worry about your furloughs, and which one of you will be gone in July. Maybe start a lottery on who will be let go first.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 4:47 PM
: May 5, 2009 4:47 PM
Another example of guilty before proven innocent. And after reading some of the posts here it is obvious why PG county fire dept is in the condition its in.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 4:56 PM
: May 5, 2009 4:56 PM
WOW....SEEING THE ATTITUDE OF BOTH THE vOLUNTERS AND THE pUBLIC MAKE ME GLAD I MOVED FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND...
I NOW LIVE ON THE WEST COAST AND IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE ONLY PAID PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS... THERE IS NON OF THIS OCCURING, I FEAR THE VOLUNTEER AS I WAS AT ONE TIME A VOLUNTEER IN MARYLAND. IT WAS COMMON PRACTIVE TO HAVE BEER LOADED IN THE SODA MACHINE AND THERE WERE VOLUNTEERS THAT WERE RESPONDING TO CALL UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
THE TRAINING WAS NEVER UP TO PAR... MOST OF THE VOLUNTERS WERE JUST LOOKING FOR THE RECOGNITION. I CAN SEE HAOW THESE GUYS WERE COMMITING ARSONS FOR THE GLORY! ISN'T IT IRONIC THAT THEY TORCHED VACANT HOUSES??
I NOW LIVE ON THE WEST COAST AND IN AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE ONLY PAID PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS... THERE IS NON OF THIS OCCURING, I FEAR THE VOLUNTEER AS I WAS AT ONE TIME A VOLUNTEER IN MARYLAND. IT WAS COMMON PRACTIVE TO HAVE BEER LOADED IN THE SODA MACHINE AND THERE WERE VOLUNTEERS THAT WERE RESPONDING TO CALL UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
THE TRAINING WAS NEVER UP TO PAR... MOST OF THE VOLUNTERS WERE JUST LOOKING FOR THE RECOGNITION. I CAN SEE HAOW THESE GUYS WERE COMMITING ARSONS FOR THE GLORY! ISN'T IT IRONIC THAT THEY TORCHED VACANT HOUSES??
# posted by : May 5, 2009 5:20 PM
: May 5, 2009 5:20 PM
You can't tar all volunteers with the same brush. I'm speaking as a career man who was once a volunteer and I work in a combination house. There are some volunteer houses that are professional and dedicated and there are some that are a joke.
The training given the volunteers IS sub par and it is the houses with more dedication that overcome this by training themselves. There are parts of this region where I would love to be backed up by a rig full of volunteers and other parts where I pray I'm getting a minimum staffed career piece rather than a dozen volunteers.
It comes down to attitude and being in it for the right reason. This goes for both sides, some paid guys are in it for the paycheck and some volunteers are in it for the chance to drive fast and get their gear dirty.
As a whole I don't have much respect for the volunteers of this region as I see on a daily basis that they are becoming more and more superfluous. Now before I started getting attacked let me finish by saying that you could get rid of half the volunteers around here and we would be better off but the other half are a shining example of what true volunteerism is.
Unfortunately whether these allegations are true or not it is another black eye for the volunteer firefighter but they shouldn't worry too much. The public wear rose-tinted glasses when is comes to volunteer firefighters and don't understand that by and large all they are getting from a majority of volunteers is their time, which saves some money but is not worth it in the long run.
I will now sit back and let you pick this post apart secure in the fact that at least it is spelled correctly if nothing else.
The training given the volunteers IS sub par and it is the houses with more dedication that overcome this by training themselves. There are parts of this region where I would love to be backed up by a rig full of volunteers and other parts where I pray I'm getting a minimum staffed career piece rather than a dozen volunteers.
It comes down to attitude and being in it for the right reason. This goes for both sides, some paid guys are in it for the paycheck and some volunteers are in it for the chance to drive fast and get their gear dirty.
As a whole I don't have much respect for the volunteers of this region as I see on a daily basis that they are becoming more and more superfluous. Now before I started getting attacked let me finish by saying that you could get rid of half the volunteers around here and we would be better off but the other half are a shining example of what true volunteerism is.
Unfortunately whether these allegations are true or not it is another black eye for the volunteer firefighter but they shouldn't worry too much. The public wear rose-tinted glasses when is comes to volunteer firefighters and don't understand that by and large all they are getting from a majority of volunteers is their time, which saves some money but is not worth it in the long run.
I will now sit back and let you pick this post apart secure in the fact that at least it is spelled correctly if nothing else.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 8:31 PM
: May 5, 2009 8:31 PM
"You forgot to mention most of these volunteers that out rank career battalion chiefs are scabs from the departments you named and come here to make problems. They take a few MFRI classes, win a popularity contest and now they're in charge. The combination system may save a few dollars in salary, but more than makes up for it in headaches."
Tell the family on Old Indean Head Rd. how much better the career side is than the volunteer side. With the exception of a very few stations, if I'm trapped in a fire I want a mostly volunteer or all volunteer house coming after me. There are some good all career houses too, but the majority of all career or mostly career staffed houses are a joke. Again, look at Old Indian Head Rd. As a matter of fact, the career side knows they are overclassed when it comes to firefighting. Why is the county spending money to build, equip, and man new firehouses on St. Joseph's Dr and Northview Dr.?? Because all the mostly county staffed stations surrounding those locations are routinely getting spanked into their first due and shown how incompetent they are on a daily basis. How do you fix it? Spend millions to build new stations and cut down the chances of the volunteers making you look bad. The county will give reason after reason for the new stations, but that is the real reason. Look at the Northview station. A new firehouse in the middle of 3. All 3of those stations serve that area well within the required response times. You have double the response times in other areas and the county is letting those areas suffer to try and save face. To those citizens that do not understand and do not know, I can assure you the majority of volunteers are much more dedicated to protecting you than the majority of the career side.
Tell the family on Old Indean Head Rd. how much better the career side is than the volunteer side. With the exception of a very few stations, if I'm trapped in a fire I want a mostly volunteer or all volunteer house coming after me. There are some good all career houses too, but the majority of all career or mostly career staffed houses are a joke. Again, look at Old Indian Head Rd. As a matter of fact, the career side knows they are overclassed when it comes to firefighting. Why is the county spending money to build, equip, and man new firehouses on St. Joseph's Dr and Northview Dr.?? Because all the mostly county staffed stations surrounding those locations are routinely getting spanked into their first due and shown how incompetent they are on a daily basis. How do you fix it? Spend millions to build new stations and cut down the chances of the volunteers making you look bad. The county will give reason after reason for the new stations, but that is the real reason. Look at the Northview station. A new firehouse in the middle of 3. All 3of those stations serve that area well within the required response times. You have double the response times in other areas and the county is letting those areas suffer to try and save face. To those citizens that do not understand and do not know, I can assure you the majority of volunteers are much more dedicated to protecting you than the majority of the career side.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 8:43 PM
: May 5, 2009 8:43 PM
Vollies are trouble, and are ricky rescue guys that can't get on real fire departments. They were starting these fires because they need the ricky rescue adrenalin rush. I work for L.A. County and we have vollie, but in the very rural slow areas where there is a lot of brush and no people to protect, no real calls until summer time. We do not leave them responsible for protecting people, just land. I am sorry if this comment hurts peoples feelings but when you guys do stuff like this? people are going to think negative things about you. I feel sorry for the community you guys let down, and your families that trust you to protect them. What a let down!
# posted by : May 5, 2009 9:19 PM
: May 5, 2009 9:19 PM
Lots of love here. Between the paid-volley debacle, Ray McCormick FDIC speech, firemen arsonists and "everybody now has a Nationwide wide opinion" thanks to the internet we are cutting our brothers' throats. So sad...and I just want to go to fires.
To the last poster from LACo (who really knows); remember the investigator turned arsonist from Glendale? Ricky rescue professional, right?
To the last poster from LACo (who really knows); remember the investigator turned arsonist from Glendale? Ricky rescue professional, right?
# posted by : May 5, 2009 10:02 PM
: May 5, 2009 10:02 PM
10:48 It is ashame that some volunteer corporations try to do the right thing. I know of a few that are on the up and up but there are the majority of those that cannot account for or use some type of funny math that has ruined it for the whole department.
All of the violent Caberets/GO-GO's / strippers, years ago started the removal of the fire house fund raisers. Casino nights just created greed and stealing. So the old fashioned hall rentals for weddings, formal gatherings and such should continue. But for those who are trying to make that fast buck is not the way to go. You are just asking for trouble.
Lets face it 20% of the Career side and 20% of the Volunteer side are the ones who provide top notch service to the citizens the remaining 80% of both sides are there for the free ride and or pay check that is reality folks. So ask yourself the next time you collect your check or refuse to go on an ambulance call "Am I a 20 percenter or an 80 percenter?
Would you DC folks like to have someone Volunteer in your house and out rank you if he or she was voted in as Chief? Just put yourself in those career guys shoes before you act.
All of the violent Caberets/GO-GO's / strippers, years ago started the removal of the fire house fund raisers. Casino nights just created greed and stealing. So the old fashioned hall rentals for weddings, formal gatherings and such should continue. But for those who are trying to make that fast buck is not the way to go. You are just asking for trouble.
Lets face it 20% of the Career side and 20% of the Volunteer side are the ones who provide top notch service to the citizens the remaining 80% of both sides are there for the free ride and or pay check that is reality folks. So ask yourself the next time you collect your check or refuse to go on an ambulance call "Am I a 20 percenter or an 80 percenter?
Would you DC folks like to have someone Volunteer in your house and out rank you if he or she was voted in as Chief? Just put yourself in those career guys shoes before you act.
# posted by : May 5, 2009 10:32 PM
: May 5, 2009 10:32 PM
A reply to the post from May 5th @ 7:59am: Live-ins at volunteer firehouses have been in effect in the DC/Baltimore metro areas for decades and are still relevent in our region as well as in many other parts of the country, as Dave stated. As for the chief in Gainesville, VA, he wasn't terminated for living at his station, his fire company was dissolved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors for overall mismanagement and improper operations; members were allowed to live there. Live-in programs exist in volunteer companies so equipment can be quickly staffed around the clock and with the higher call volumes in many places, home response is not an option. Lastly, I have been a volunteer firefighter/emt in Prince George's County for almost 11 years as well as a live-in and can attest to the importance of having members to staff the apparatus at "0'dark thirty" and that this practice of living in is necessary and effective.
Dear Mr LA Fireman,
Put the doobie down man, Governor Schwartzenegger is only starting a debate on legalizing pot. Tokin on that roach is still illegal. Come back on here in 8 hours when your back on land and reread your post, you'll be embarrassed. ps-don't use the keyboard while you have the munchies, people hate crumbs in the cracks.
Put the doobie down man, Governor Schwartzenegger is only starting a debate on legalizing pot. Tokin on that roach is still illegal. Come back on here in 8 hours when your back on land and reread your post, you'll be embarrassed. ps-don't use the keyboard while you have the munchies, people hate crumbs in the cracks.
# posted by : May 6, 2009 8:57 AM
: May 6, 2009 8:57 AM
Dave,
I never thought that answering the question about a live in member and stating that it saves taxpayers a lot of money would turn this into The Watch Desk. Fact is that it is true. It ends up as a win win situation for PG co MD.Maybe not in other areas but this started as a PG comment.Yes there are good and bad personnel on both sides,Paid & Volunteer and the community generally has no idea who, or really care, is on the apparatus as long as it gets there.To both sides remember we have a job to do and do as professionals. It may be YOU that needs the other person to come save YOU! Yes I am a Volunteer and have been for over 20yrs.I also respect and sympathize with our Paid personnel who are also being given a hard time through furloughs and staffing issues.All we can do is work together to get this county back to being respected and not laughed at.
Jerry S
I never thought that answering the question about a live in member and stating that it saves taxpayers a lot of money would turn this into The Watch Desk. Fact is that it is true. It ends up as a win win situation for PG co MD.Maybe not in other areas but this started as a PG comment.Yes there are good and bad personnel on both sides,Paid & Volunteer and the community generally has no idea who, or really care, is on the apparatus as long as it gets there.To both sides remember we have a job to do and do as professionals. It may be YOU that needs the other person to come save YOU! Yes I am a Volunteer and have been for over 20yrs.I also respect and sympathize with our Paid personnel who are also being given a hard time through furloughs and staffing issues.All we can do is work together to get this county back to being respected and not laughed at.
Jerry S
# posted by : May 6, 2009 11:37 AM
: May 6, 2009 11:37 AM
what is going on with our fire service around the country. The more I read the more we all look like a bunch of clowns. Its a good thing that these stories are not always covered in the day to day news, the public would go crazy. I thought it was just my department, but the more I read I realize that this stuff is going on all over the place.
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# posted by : May 7, 2009 11:16 AM
: May 7, 2009 11:16 AM Links to this post:
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