http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/11/18/reversal-of-fortune/ Mutual Aid for Marketing Your Fire Department Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:19:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/11/18/reversal-of-fortune/comment-page-1/#comment-314 chiefreason Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:42:34 +0000 http://tigerschmittendorf.com/?p=1404#comment-314 Tiger:<br>I would agree that, nationally, we are seeing alot of the same headlines, but something very strange and very close to me happened last week.<br>A career department that I actually emulate in my fictional stories of Jake and Vinnie just accepted a new contract from the city. They received a modest increase in wages, but will pay for a portion of their insurance; something that they have never had to do. The retirees who are retired now will continue to receive their current level of medical coverage to age 65, but starting in 2010, new retirees will be paid a lump sum for medical coverage to age 65. Medical coverage is a huge portion of the expense to run a public safety department. I believe that contribution to retirement plan remained the same, I'm not sure.<br>My point is that this fire department has never had a lay-off, but have increased the size of the department. They saw the writing on the wall and worked with the city administrator to create a contract that they could ALL live with. They are not over paid by any stretch, but they have been out in front of the community with their assistance programs and their community activism. The citizens appreciates and supports them. They aren't perfect little angels, but they remain mindful of their "status" in the community.<br>Perhaps, we are witness to too much give from one side or too much take from another. Maybe it isn't even about money, but festering problems from the past coming back to haunt. Maybe some on the various city councils have been waiting for this moment to settle an old score. Maybe everything is lined up just right for a massive cut to services.<br>Or maybe, public safety has gotten too damned expensive because of greed; on everyone's parts. Why is it that I can buy a fire engine peddle car from a vendor for $75 and the exact same peddle car advertised in a fire specialty catalog is $100? That is what is at play in the fire service; from fire vendors to firefighters. Go where the money is or in the case of some cities; go where it isn't.<br>Your skills are going to be needed; now more than ever.<br>I see it coming. Tiger:
I would agree that, nationally, we are seeing alot of the same headlines, but something very strange and very close to me happened last week.
A career department that I actually emulate in my fictional stories of Jake and Vinnie just accepted a new contract from the city. They received a modest increase in wages, but will pay for a portion of their insurance; something that they have never had to do. The retirees who are retired now will continue to receive their current level of medical coverage to age 65, but starting in 2010, new retirees will be paid a lump sum for medical coverage to age 65. Medical coverage is a huge portion of the expense to run a public safety department. I believe that contribution to retirement plan remained the same, I'm not sure.
My point is that this fire department has never had a lay-off, but have increased the size of the department. They saw the writing on the wall and worked with the city administrator to create a contract that they could ALL live with. They are not over paid by any stretch, but they have been out in front of the community with their assistance programs and their community activism. The citizens appreciates and supports them. They aren't perfect little angels, but they remain mindful of their “status” in the community.
Perhaps, we are witness to too much give from one side or too much take from another. Maybe it isn't even about money, but festering problems from the past coming back to haunt. Maybe some on the various city councils have been waiting for this moment to settle an old score. Maybe everything is lined up just right for a massive cut to services.
Or maybe, public safety has gotten too damned expensive because of greed; on everyone's parts. Why is it that I can buy a fire engine peddle car from a vendor for $75 and the exact same peddle car advertised in a fire specialty catalog is $100? That is what is at play in the fire service; from fire vendors to firefighters. Go where the money is or in the case of some cities; go where it isn't.
Your skills are going to be needed; now more than ever.
I see it coming.

]]> http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/11/18/reversal-of-fortune/comment-page-1/#comment-308 chiefreason Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:42:34 +0000 http://tigerschmittendorf.com/?p=1404#comment-308 Tiger:<br>I would agree that, nationally, we are seeing alot of the same headlines, but something very strange and very close to me happened last week.<br>A career department that I actually emulate in my fictional stories of Jake and Vinnie just accepted a new contract from the city. They received a modest increase in wages, but will pay for a portion of their insurance; something that they have never had to do. The retirees who are retired now will continue to receive their current level of medical coverage to age 65, but starting in 2010, new retirees will be paid a lump sum for medical coverage to age 65. Medical coverage is a huge portion of the expense to run a public safety department. I believe that contribution to retirement plan remained the same, I'm not sure.<br>My point is that this fire department has never had a lay-off, but have increased the size of the department. They saw the writing on the wall and worked with the city administrator to create a contract that they could ALL live with. They are not over paid by any stretch, but they have been out in front of the community with their assistance programs and their community activism. The citizens appreciates and supports them. They aren't perfect little angels, but they remain mindful of their "status" in the community.<br>Perhaps, we are witness to too much give from one side or too much take from another. Maybe it isn't even about money, but festering problems from the past coming back to haunt. Maybe some on the various city councils have been waiting for this moment to settle an old score. Maybe everything is lined up just right for a massive cut to services.<br>Or maybe, public safety has gotten too damned expensive because of greed; on everyone's parts. Why is it that I can buy a fire engine peddle car from a vendor for $75 and the exact same peddle car advertised in a fire specialty catalog is $100? That is what is at play in the fire service; from fire vendors to firefighters. Go where the money is or in the case of some cities; go where it isn't.<br>Your skills are going to be needed; now more than ever.<br>I see it coming. Tiger:
I would agree that, nationally, we are seeing alot of the same headlines, but something very strange and very close to me happened last week.
A career department that I actually emulate in my fictional stories of Jake and Vinnie just accepted a new contract from the city. They received a modest increase in wages, but will pay for a portion of their insurance; something that they have never had to do. The retirees who are retired now will continue to receive their current level of medical coverage to age 65, but starting in 2010, new retirees will be paid a lump sum for medical coverage to age 65. Medical coverage is a huge portion of the expense to run a public safety department. I believe that contribution to retirement plan remained the same, I'm not sure.
My point is that this fire department has never had a lay-off, but have increased the size of the department. They saw the writing on the wall and worked with the city administrator to create a contract that they could ALL live with. They are not over paid by any stretch, but they have been out in front of the community with their assistance programs and their community activism. The citizens appreciates and supports them. They aren't perfect little angels, but they remain mindful of their “status” in the community.
Perhaps, we are witness to too much give from one side or too much take from another. Maybe it isn't even about money, but festering problems from the past coming back to haunt. Maybe some on the various city councils have been waiting for this moment to settle an old score. Maybe everything is lined up just right for a massive cut to services.
Or maybe, public safety has gotten too damned expensive because of greed; on everyone's parts. Why is it that I can buy a fire engine peddle car from a vendor for $75 and the exact same peddle car advertised in a fire specialty catalog is $100? That is what is at play in the fire service; from fire vendors to firefighters. Go where the money is or in the case of some cities; go where it isn't.
Your skills are going to be needed; now more than ever.
I see it coming.

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