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chixbaby27
Moderator
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 01:16 am |
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| I have been told stories just like you described, Fudge...definitely not an isolated incident. This is exactly why people won't come forward.
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fudge84
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 01:47 am |
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stoker wrote: fudge84 wrote:
Let me explain why this will not happen. No not yet dont want to bore someone and lose them.
You might want to remind everyone that is following this and posting to read back over from where they left off. It may help stuff getting repeated over and over, questions asked that were already addressed and help keep it on topic. Just a thought.
Good point. Thanks.
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fudge84
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 03:10 am |
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I am sorry my clock is wound and needs to unwind. I dont understand why some are protecting those who are responsible for this. If this has not happened to you or something to this effect #1 get ready cause it is coming or #2 you are one of the good ole boys. This may sound whiny but I need to get it off my chest and then I will get back on subject.
My last year at RFD I rated a 6% raise according to my evaluation score. During that year I attended High Angle 1(rope rescue), became a National Registered First Responder, and started EMT school. I was denied this raise,so I asked for a meeting. Upon arrival at the meeting my Captain advised me that if I had a tape recorder that the meeting would not even happen. Not of his doing. So I left it on the engine.(stupid me) Attending this meeting was Me, my captain, my Bn. Chief and a Deputy Chief.
I was told by the DC that the training I had recieved was nothing more than what I had been taught in recruit school. I explained to him it was not. The Ropes class was a little more than tying knots, but went into detail on haul systems. The First Responder class was a step below EMT and more than a first aid class. He stated that all on the department were first responders. I argued this vigorously telling him that we never had a First aid class while in recruit school. He denied that this could have happened. I explained to him that during the week of first aid we helped with hose testing on every piece of equipement in the department.(We could load a horseshoe like nobodys business.) He said that this was still not enough to vouche for a 6% raise. (I couldnt go do something 24/7 365. These classes took some time) So I broke out my shift log that showed for the past 2 years I was driving 78% of the time. (Some time along here the Bn Chief was asked to go check on one of the engines that went on a call. Something normally that a chief would not respond to.) So the DC states this is what we are looking for(78% driving.). My Captain states that this was brought up at another meeting, same reason, and was told at that meeting that it was part of the mans job. I stated well if that is what you are looking for there it is. The DC stated it cannot be used because it is not part of the original evaluation. I stated that this is what this meeting was about so my evaluation is not final until the end of this meeting. This is where it got interesting.
First the DC makes a statment to the effects of parity to those in which I hired on with. My question was so if someone gets a 2% then you will raise them up to a 4%. This confused him so he changes course again. This is his statement and I quote "When you reach the position I am in you learn to put into perspective and use self preservation in these incidents" end quote. I looked at my Captain and said I think this meeting is over cause I am done.
The BN. Chief was asked to leave because he stood up for me in there and requested I get the 6% raise. I know some peopl did not like that Bn. Chief and I understood why. But he never once did any thing to me and I thank him for what he did that day.
This brings up the fact that if you try to improve yourself to help the department advance then you will be knocked down and it has not changed to this day.
Edit for spelling.
Last edited on Sat Jan 19th, 2008 03:20 am by fudge84
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Rescue Me
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 05:09 am |
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Nobody wants to say that ther reason we haven't moved forward is because our Chief is stuck in the past and will not go to bat for us. We are given no respect at all and to him we are nothing more than his "Hogs". Our Fire Chief is B. McKenzie, he has well surpassed his usefulness and needs to get out of here. Everybody on here is skating around the issues. The comissioners need to wake up and look at the shambles our department is in. How we are grossly underpaid and no one will make any attempt at trying to help us. it would be nice to have someone we could vent our problems to without having threats thrown at us.
I feel another wave of FF's leaving the department, does anybody even care. No it just helps the bottom line. Someone keeps asking Joh Bennet to get on here and respond to these issues. I would like to see Chief McKenzie on here answering some of these questions and what you intend to do to put it all back together. But I guess you wouldnt be man enough to face these problems.
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fudge84
Member
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 05:41 am |
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I have finally got it. This could end all problems. Lets do a $40000 dollar pay study and another $40000 study on how to get the department to the 21st century and then we dont have any money to give raises or the money to improve our services and the guys will understand cause it looks like we are trying. Case closed next subject.
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Turk182
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 12:36 pm |
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I don't think that just removing the chief will solve the problem(s). The removal will have to go deeper into the ranks--at least to the deputy chiefs. The chief's "problem" is that he isn't running the department. Whether it is laziness, malaise, being intimidated, or something else, he is allowing one or more deputy chiefs to run things. To just remove the big chief would still leave a big part of the problem, unless the new big chief recognized the problems with the d/c and dealt with him/them appropriately.
Cheers,
Turk
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Turk182
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 12:39 pm |
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This is not a new solution. The city has been doing this for years. It is now 2008 and we are waiting for them to implement the changes pointed out by the 2006 study.
Turk
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oldguy
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Posted: Sat Jan 19th, 2008 02:35 pm |
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Rescue Me wrote: Nobody wants to say that ther reason we haven't moved forward is because our Chief is stuck in the past and will not go to bat for us. We are given no respect at all and to him we are nothing more than his "Hogs". Our Fire Chief is B. McKenzie, he has well surpassed his usefulness and needs to get out of here. Everybody on here is skating around the issues. The comissioners need to wake up and look at the shambles our department is in. How we are grossly underpaid and no one will make any attempt at trying to help us. it would be nice to have someone we could vent our problems to without having threats thrown at us.
I feel another wave of FF's leaving the department, does anybody even care. No it just helps the bottom line. Someone keeps asking John Bennet to get on here and respond to these issues. I would like to see Chief McKenzie on here answering some of these questions and what you intend to do to put it all back together. But I guess you wouldnt be man enough to face these problems.
Well there it is by someone on the inside.
When I try to ID the real reasons for lack of progress I'm bashing or being personal.
It must be easier to take when it's said by one of your own.
I know very few FF on the RFD & I know very little about YOUR operation......but I have suspected things were not well for years.
What I do know about are the signs of a poorly managed organization,& my backgroud is the fire service.The signs I see here are the signs every non progressive, poorly managed fire dept has.Yes I saw it first hand for a long time
Until.................one day........we got a new Chief. Someone with vision,someone who was educated,knowlegable,highly trained,progressive,& cared about the organization.. which of course is only as good as it's people.
EVERYONE on the inside knows the problem,glad to finally see you RFD guys finally say it.
This is not a tea party guys,its gonna get ugly from here on.Many want this to be a polite discussion of issues.They are right about one thing ....keep the subject on
THE ISSUE.
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fudge84
Member
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 07:40 pm |
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Old guy I think we have a winner I would like to thank JD personally for letting people open up and expose all these problems within floyd county that has been going on for years. Now the public citizen can see what great hearted people they have working for them. For someone to have to put up with the crap they put up with and still give their all to the citizens in need. My hats off to them. Rescueme just proved to me that nothing has changed in 9 years.
Bozilla, "How do you like me now" Sorry I had to have one more smart butt comment.
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Leatherhead
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 09:27 pm |
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Rescue Me wrote: Nobody wants to say that ther reason we haven't moved forward is because our Chief is stuck in the past and will not go to bat for us. We are given no respect at all and to him we are nothing more than his "Hogs". Our Fire Chief is B. McKenzie, he has well surpassed his usefulness and needs to get out of here. Everybody on here is skating around the issues. The comissioners need to wake up and look at the shambles our department is in. How we are grossly underpaid and no one will make any attempt at trying to help us. it would be nice to have someone we could vent our problems to without having threats thrown at us.
I feel another wave of FF's leaving the department, does anybody even care. No it just helps the bottom line. Someone keeps asking Joh Bennet to get on here and respond to these issues. I would like to see Chief McKenzie on here answering some of these questions and what you intend to do to put it all back together. But I guess you wouldnt be man enough to face these problems.
Doesn't look like your going to get a response anytime soon. Go back to your Pig Pen!Last edited on Sun Jan 20th, 2008 09:31 pm by Leatherhead
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oldguy
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 10:04 pm |
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Leatherhead wrote: Rescue Me wrote: Nobody wants to say that the reason we haven't moved forward is because our Chief is stuck in the past and will not go to bat for us. We are given no respect at all and to him we are nothing more than his "Hogs". Our Fire Chief is B. McKenzie, he has well surpassed his usefulness and needs to get out of here. Everybody on here is skating around the issues. The comissioners need to wake up and look at the shambles our department is in. How we are grossly underpaid and no one will make any attempt at trying to help us. it would be nice to have someone we could vent our problems to without having threats thrown at us.
I feel another wave of FF's leaving the department, does anybody even care. No it just helps the bottom line. Someone keeps asking Joh Bennet to get on here and respond to these issues. I would like to see Chief McKenzie on here answering some of these questions and what you intend to do to put it all back together. But I guess you wouldnt be man enough to face these problems.
Doesn't look like your going to get a response anytime soon. Go back to your Pig Pen!
Come on guys ............the ice is broken.............
Lets hear it.
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Rescue Me
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 11:02 pm |
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Rescue Me wrote: Nobody wants to say that ther reason we haven't moved forward is because our Chief is stuck in the past and will not go to bat for us. We are given no respect at all and to him we are nothing more than his "Hogs". Our Fire Chief is B. McKenzie, he has well surpassed his usefulness and needs to get out of here. Everybody on here is skating around the issues. The comissioners need to wake up and look at the shambles our department is in. How we are grossly underpaid and no one will make any attempt at trying to help us. it would be nice to have someone we could vent our problems to without having threats thrown at us.
I feel another wave of FF's leaving the department, does anybody even care. No it just helps the bottom line. Someone keeps asking Joh Bennet to get on here and respond to these issues. I would like to see Chief McKenzie on here answering some of these questions and what you intend to do to put it all back together. But I guess you wouldnt be man enough to face these problems.
I posted yesterday, no response from the fat guy. I will post everyday until I get a response from the chief, the county, the city or the city manager. In one week I will begin to post some not so great things that may make some folks uncomfortable. We need change and we need it now. To my brothers from the department. If you wonder who I am look in the seat riding beside you, I am that guy. We all talk about it. How about some of you jumping in and shedding some light too. Tommorow we can start talking about some other chiefs here at the department, anybody care to join in. Cmon I am waiting on you fatboy!
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fudge84
Member
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 01:22 am |
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Fire Overview Committee, April 11, 2007
Review Financial Statements
Ms. Shore reviewed the Statement of Operations, February 28, 2007 and the Unaudited Fire Fund Statement of Operations dated December 31, 2006. She then went over the reports pointing out that the department was over in supplies basically due to fuel cost. Other Services and Charges are down and depreciation is up due to new fire trucks. Personnel shows an increase due to being fully staffed. Commissioner Bagby asked Ms. Shore to explain to the Committee the role of the Fund Balance.
Is there any truth to the statement above in red font???
Fire Chief's Operating Report
Chief McKenzie distributed and went over the report with the Committee. He updated the new Commissioners on the many aspects associated with the Rome/Floyd County Fire Department. Commissioner Bagby asked why there was such a substantial increase in non-fire calls beginning in 1987. Chief McKenzie stated this was the approximate time that 911 went into service and they began dispatching Fire Rescue with each call.
20 years later, and still doing the same thing. Here is the facts straight from the Chief. If I am not mistaken from the above posts that 1 rescue truck is all that is still covering the area.
Edited for font sizeLast edited on Mon Jan 21st, 2008 01:24 am by fudge84
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Jack Rabbit Slim
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 03:33 am |
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fudge84 wrote: Fire Overview Committee, April 11, 2007
Personnel shows an increase due to being fully staffed.
Is there any truth to the statement above in red font???
Commissioner Bagby asked why there was such a substantial increase in non-fire calls beginning in 1987. Chief McKenzie stated this was the approximate time that 911 went into service and they began dispatching Fire Rescue with each call.
20 years later, and still doing the same thing. Here is the facts straight from the Chief. If I am not mistaken from the above posts that 1 rescue truck is all that is still covering the area.
Edited for font size
Wait a minute, let me get this straight. They had a meeting on April 11, 2007 and were asking about an increase in services dating back 20 years? Am I reading this correctly?
I left here in 1985 and went into the miltary, so the entire time I have been gone they have not questioned why calls have increased. No wonder there is so much anger on this board.
I thought about trying to get on the FD before I left here, I didn't because the starting pay was pretty low. What is the starting pay now if I can be nosey?
Also how can being fully staffed be an increase? Would that not be the normal projection? Does this mean the budget is set with the expectation of being under-staffed?
Last edited on Mon Jan 21st, 2008 03:38 am by Jack Rabbit Slim
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chixbaby27
Moderator
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 03:38 am |
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| The advice of all the RFD firefighters that I know is that if you want to become a ff, go somewhere else! My family-member ff has told my friends to go to Cartersville, Gordon, Bartow...anywhere but Rome.
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