Re: Firefighers should know better...I\'d think???
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If I ever heard that the FD that my taxes paid for were out rescuing dogs, cats, RC planes etc. out of trees I'd have a word with the Chief! What happens if a 911 call comes in when they're out climbing trees?!?!?
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The volunteer fd that I belong to is currently strugling with volunteers to ride the trucks, and bringing more money in than needs to be spent to keep up the operation (as many VFD are right now). Our company is not tax based and many people in our community actually think we are a paid Dept. We need every opportunity to get out into our community to educate the public about what we do and who we are, so rescuing pets and the such are excellent opportunities. Now safely is the key. In our area, at least, most of the volunteers have at least a 5 minute ride to the firehose. If we are out rescuing a cat, with a crew on the truck, our response time is actually cut in atleast half. FF's are trained to adapt to conditions around them and many times this means changing directions, plans, or approaches in an instant. If we cant change from pet rescue mode to emergency mode, as soon as that pager goes off, we are in the wrong business. We wake up from a sound sleep at 2am quite regularly to assist those in need. And you have to be on your A game when that truck roles out the door or it could be you that is not coming home. I think we can change gear while wide awake.
All I ask is that before you go off on your local FD or fire chief please make sure you know why, how, and who your local FD is. They might need to be doing this, for recruitment, donations, or just public education.
