As can be seen in this article, there has been a concerted effort behind the scenes to work out a resolution to the issue of code inspections and pre-incident planning for fires and other emergencies.
It's been clear to me the new city manager has gone the extra mile in this arena after an April 17 letter from then CM Corriveau ordering a halt to years of semi-annual fire courtesy inspections that conflicted with the role of code enforcement inspectors.
That doesn't mean there are not varying views on the future sizing and composition of the City's $9M Fire Department. There are, and as I said Monday, I hope the debate printed in the national publication, Firehouse, will prompt more discussion publicly among those advocating changes.
Watertown Daily Times | Mayor objects to blog about city fire decision
37 comments:
Never say no to the firegirls. If they want a special first responder law that makes it more of a crime to kill them then it is to kill a six year old girl then you must support it.
If they want inspections so they can get a break from playing cards and washing their vehicles then you need to give it to them.
Since when do you need to be "so irked" to comment on something on your blog? I thought you said Gorman was mellowing? All that blood he gave wasn't necessarily his own?
Is it true that we are one of very few municipalities in the Country (and perhaps the largest) that has more firemen than police officers. If true, do you think this is lopsided? Thanks for your information and thoughts on this as it is a big budgetary cost-benefit issue for our community.
What's your problem with the firemen, 9:06, you're always bitterly bitching about them,did you come home early some day and find a fireman parking his truck in the wifey's garage?
Ignorant comment firegirls?? playing cards and washing vehicles ?? You watch too much tv You climb a 50 ft. ladder with 80 lbs. of gear on and enter a burning building..... oh wait you can't do that from your couch. These men are trained professionals and should be treated as such.
As you extend the priviledge to yourself for blogging, so may others. I personally enjoy this blog and if you are offended about what someone wrote on a blog..isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? I wouldn't sweat it Mr. Mayor, some people may be offended by what you write, but, at the end of the day I believe you do what you think is best for the community, those people obviously may not think so... but they have the same priviledges you do. Plus, online controversy isn't all that mature, don't get dragged into it.
and women.... (tim)
The 'firegirls' and 'more firemen than cops' comments were likely made "Anonymously" by the piece of s*** mayor himself so he wouldn't have to answer for the comments. But I'm sure this comment will be moderated out by the author.
Few stats for you from the article linked below. By inspecting buildings you actually are looking out for the owners. Another article link listed below that one where a City Fire Department is faulted for a fire due to inspections not followed up. The fire department is looking out for the best interest of the public with the goals of life safety and property conservation. Often business owners don't understand that the fire department is looking out for their best interest. Use the articles below as a learning tool to teach your business owners of what you are really trying to do.
47% of businesses that experience a fire or major theft go out of business within two years.
44% of companies that lose records in a disaster never resume business.
93% of companies that experience a significant data loss are out of business within five years.
The majority of businesses spend less than 3% of their total budget on business recovery planning.
http://www.firefighternation.com/article/fire-prevention-and-education/company-officer-loss-prevention-officer
http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-attack/articles/1401981-Probe-finds-fire-dept-failed-to-prevent-blaze/
Mayor, your a stand up guy, I enjoy your radio program and your blog. A daily must read, I might add, but to be enraged by a national fire dept. magazine/blogger which brings this whole thing up surprised me.
I don't believe it's in you're best interest to tangle with the city fire dept. it's bad pr let it go.
The city fire department is one of the only values this city offers for the taxes paid. I welcome them into my business for an inspection much sooner than codes. I would rather know my staff is safe versus just being harassed by unfriendly an codes department. The fire department might not tell you what you want to hear but they have everyone's best interest and they are friendly with there approach.
We have to ask ourselfs why are the fireman so upset with the mayor and council voting to allow the codes to do the inspections. Why are some of the firefighters actually making threats towards the city officials. You have to wonder. If this is how so called professional firefighters act maybe it's time for an all vol. dept.
What kind of threats were made? Who was treatened? If an employee of the city made threats then the city manager should follow up with disiplinary action. I would sooner believe that you just feel threatened by the fireman because of all the valid points that have been brought up. City council, especially Mr. Smith, keep making decisions based on a vendetta against the fire department and not the best interest of the city residents. These kind of decisions leave the city vulnerable.
11:43, I don't have a problem with "firemen", I have a problem with fire dram queens. BTW...aren't there any female firefighters? Why do you call them firemen?
Firefighters have no comprehension of the term "risk management". that is my biggest problem with them. The drama queens are trying to make this change out to be a life and death situation and it really amounts to diddly squat.
T%he rest of the volunteers protect the rest of the county just fine without this overtime gig.
Ever look at a code book? Code are all written by drama queen firemen. Did you know the code requires all metal framed budding to be grounded? Know why? Because one guy died in the entire history of not grounding them. The money would be better spent on mammograms for men as more men die form breast cancer.
And don't get me started on Marks law. That is just ridiculous.
And its not peoples wives I worry about, it is all the children the COW are F#$%ing with their pensions. If you are going to rack up pensions for 60 guys then fund them now, not later. At least then we will know how much these inspections are costing us.
BTW...many roofers climb ladders with 80# bundles on their shoulders everyday and don't get pensions or brag about the dangers either.
The fire dept is upset because not just inspections, but the opportunity to even enter buildings for familiarization has been taken away... (To say nothing of the added costs accrued under the current setup). All the while, they are the ones being (erroneously) slandered by mayor Graham with his comments about how we are crying to firehouse.com (not true), and probably councilman Smith as well. Anyone who knows him knows he is the one advocating a volunteer dept. and who else would want us out of the city so we can't vote? also, the only person I know making threats is Graham. His statement on the budget and forthcoming changes is nothing more than a threat as a result of recent vocalizations in protest of the council's foolish decision. Just wait... After taking work AWAY from the fire dept, they will turn around and argue that the fire dept (through no fault of it's own, and against the fire dept's protests) is doing less work, which in their eyes justifies cuts. Similar to the way they would like to reduce staffing, then would blame us to the public when said cuts led to more overtime to allow the fire dept to reach their minimum safe manning levels as determined by an independent 3rd party... In other words, they CREATE a problem, then blame the FD for it.
9:31- So you regularly look at Code books, and obviously are in a management field, since you are so familiar with "risk management"... Also, you are a strong advocate of a volunteer service in the city. Why even continue to post anonymously, Mr. Smith? We all know it's you. Maybe because some of your recent posts have been infantile and ignorant sounding?
How could you possibly know if one of the many firefighters or another interested party is the one that brought this matter to the attention of firehouse.com? The answer is you can't possibly know!
So we can either choose to believe the author's unlikely claim that he stumbled on the story with a search engine. Or we can believe the more likely scenario that he was fed the story. Whatever.
With the invention and widespread installation of sprinklers, smoke detectors and emergency exits, the need for as many barns and firefighters is a fraction of what it once was.
ha this guy posting anon calling the firemen drama queens is so,so brave.Hey put your name down and opt out of fire coverage if you want,but no,typical keyboard toughguy right?
I am with the firemen on this issue. Rest assured, when something bad happens, fingerpointing back at them will happen ,for not knowing the outlay of a bldg. The same goes for any other profession, if you are not prepared, you'll get burned. It looks like the city staff themselves, are more into "empire bldg". Thats what you learn at the federal level. Trust me, I know .
Sounds like 9:31 couldn't pass the test and is sour about it...
Typical Danny tactic...you demand the name of the guy you are losing the argument to. What would you want someone's name for?
I already opted out of city fire coverage...as I don't live in the city.
I don't regularly look at code books...I follow the code when I build things. While you're playing cards I am building things with my hands...out of things that wight more than 80 pounds...that's what men do.
Risk management = management? Uh...ooooKay.
Whatever you say Jeff... I mean 9:32. So you are a laborer then? Building all sorts of houses/buildings? Let me ask you this... If you live outside the city, (and therefore are completely un-affected by the whole thing) as you say, then why are you so concerned? And as far as I can tell EVERYONE WHO HAS STATED THEIR NAMES ON THESE THREADS HAS COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE WFD... So please... quit whitewashing and claiming you are winning this argument. In addition to that, you keep referencing a previous post about "climbing ladders with 80 lbs", yet you leave out the part at the end of what the original poster said "and enter a burning building"... That must be nothing in your eyes as well. And the only reason I have to wish for you to put your name to your comments is so that everyone can tell where these IGNORANT and VINDICTIVE comments are coming from... Now answer MY question... What reason do YOU have to HIDE your name?
the "piece of shit mayor" has always been the more in the middle type. council members are pushing for cuts and they must be a majority. that's only changed with an election.
8:04 Pleeeeze quit posting and embarrassing yourself.
Unlike most firefighters in the COW, I actually own property in the COW and pay taxes to the the COW.
I also pay tons of taxes to the state and that money gets funneled back to clowns like you, via "distressed city" grants. And don't get us started on you unfunded pensions that those of us who choose not to leave this state will have to pay to you for your 20 years of service.
I have had to enter dozens of burning buildings. Only difference is that unlike you, I didn't have every safety device conceivable, to protect my a$$ when I went into them. Please spare me your drama queen crap. You might convince the grade school kids but you don't fool me. BTW...next time you are visiting a schoolyard, ask the kids how they feel about that special law you cried to Patty plate to get passed, that makes it more of a crime to hurt your big bad self then it is to hurt those innocent kids. Brave you are...
As previously stated, THE WFD HAS THE SINGLE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF CITY RESIDENTS OF ANY DEPT IN THE CITY... And you are, what... Some kind of local hero who entered "dozens" of burning buildings as you put it, "without firefighting gear" no less... Sorry not buying that either. And you are wealthy enough to own all this land, meaning you have money to spend on extra property in this tight economy... Yeah that sounds like all the people I know who "work with their hands" as you put it. Not saying anything derogatory about someone who is a tradesman or laborer... I actually do some of that work myself... But most people don't make a-lot of money at it in this area, especially in the Winter... Many are forced to rely on unemployment. So there is another seeming contradiction in your story.
I would also argue it is dis-honest to say you "opted" out of fire-protection by living outside the city, but say that you are concerned over this issue due to owning property (protected by the fire-department contrary to your claim). Which is it?
You have had to enter dozens of burning buildings,who are you superfireman? and you must be in your nineties or so to have lived long enough to go into dozens,how many fires are there in a year,one or two in your area? So not only are you likely a liar,but an anonymous bs artist.You are really quite the legend,in your own mind.
Don't forget, 3:31.... they did it all without equipment, no less... Pretty believable, huh? What a load of garbage.
3rd parties weighing in against you again, mr. Super-fire-destroyer.... Still feel like you are winning this argument?
What are the implications of a house burning down that clearly wasn't within acceptable ‘Fire Code’ standards? Does an insurance company have the right to not pay the owner, should a fire occur, because they weren't within code? In any case, Mayor Graham wants to break any Union in town, or push it into accepting a 401k contribution system, to cut costs for the City. This Mayor and his Council hate Unions and the Fireman’s Union is no exception to the rule. If it were up to them it would be an all volunteer Fire Dept. period. Then Pattie Ritchie could get them a small tax right off for volunteering and talk about how wonderful she is getting men and woman who volunteer their time and risk their safety free of charge to localities. They hate free stuff, but love volunteers to staff rural fire houses free of charge.
Mike Flynn 'Middle Class Mike'
Yup- but this self-proclaimed laborer who allegedly "builds things all the time with his own hands" (to say nothing of his claims of entering "dozens" of burning buildings sans firefighting equipment) is one of the most vocal supporters of this anti-union council... So you must not use union workers (such as masons) when you are building all these things with your bare hands out of metal and Braun... Sorry- couldn't resist the Anchorman reference.
Do I "feel" like I am winning an argument? You keep getting more effeminate by the post. It doesn't matter how anyone "feels". The facts are all that matter, and the fact here is I'm...winning. How does that make you "feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel"?
I never claimed I entered burning buildings to fight fires or that entering them made me a hero. I never said why I had to enter them. The only reason it is relevant is because gaylord hoseboy had to emphasize that not only did he carry 80 pounds up a ladder but he also "entered burning buildings". Well...so have the rest of us. BFD. Its still more dangerous to be a roofer as well as a lot of other occupations.
And now you are going to tell me what assets I might or might not own based on the fact that I choose to work with my hands? Wealth is a self fulfilling prophecy for hard working fiscally responsible people in America. Look it up. Read the millionaire next door...if you ever deice to crack a book besides a union contract.
Feel free to drive past any of my properties and watch them burn. I would make a profit if they burned to the ground. As I said, you won't be saving my ass, and its more likely I will save yours with my defensive driving skills. If I was driving that school bus you guys hit on state street a few years back, I would predicted your recklessness and swerved out of your way.
Normally I embrace this internet trolling and back and forth, but I do have to claim foul, as you crossed the line of decency by accusing me of being Jeff Smith!
So you enter burning buildings as a hobby then? How do you get there before firefighters who would bar you from entering? Are you an arsonist? And I have only used your own words against you, and made you look foolish at every turn (even 3rd parties are joining in). I wouldn't want to be called Jeff Smith either... But you should have no problem with it since you share all his views. Whatever... Keep spewing your nonsense. I don't even need to mock you anymore, cause everyone else is starting to do it for me.
So now you are psychic as well... Keep 'em comin! All this laughter you provide is therapeutic. I don't know which is more comical... The things you say, or the fact that you feel (oh, sorry... That you THINK) anyone believes the things you are saying. Especially when you backtrack and contradict yourself constantly.
KA-KOW MIKE! KA-KOW!
I agree with Mikey on this issue, Most fireman have 2nd jobs, like delivering oxygen bottles,Construction, even Volunteering in VFD's (I believe this is against law)......The pension fund was depleted by the NYC Fireman who hit a home run on 9/11............So much so the law was changed to prevent excessive OT.
No, it's not against the law for firefighters to volunteer/work elsewhere. And if you call having several hundred firefighters die while trying to help others "hitting a home run", them there is something wrong with you. And I don't think Mike's position was against the WFD- it was against the anti-union council.
Bingo 633 you illustrated how twisted that guy's mind is,the deaths of all those people is a silly joke to him,real insight on his character..
Personally I would like to give John Salka an all expense paid trip to Watertown NY to give public comment at your next city council meeting. Let the firefighter inspect the buildings. You just may be responsible for saving firefighter lives.
Post a Comment