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This was in my local newpaper on Friday. While our firefighters are to be commended for their heroism in fighting fires, sadly what is indicated in this letter to the editor is all too true.
The majority of firemen in California make double their normal income in overtime in a year. I am not speaking out of the blue. A member of my family is a fireman, so I am fully aware of what goes down in the fire departments.
Firefighters pad pay
One of my employees has volunteered at a local foothills fire department for several years - with the hope that some day he would be accepted into the department.
He expresses a genuine passion for serving the community.
He was called in by the department Monday, to assist with the mountain fires. After arriving for duty, there was a heated interdepartmental argument to the effect that he would be taking precious overtime from the paid firefighters.
He was subsequently sent home.
With fires raging all around us it appears that our "public servants" are more concerned about padding their paychecks than about our safety.
When qualified volunteers are turned away due to self-serving interests at the taxpayers expense, it's time to seriously re-evaluate how our fire departments are organized.
- JOHN JAECKEL, Alta Loma
When you see the firemen out "passing the boot" for donations to help the widows of firemen, does it never cross your mind to wonder why? The firemen in California make good money and have great benefits. If my husband should pass away, if I took a boot to the California fire stations, do you think they would contribute to my financial welfare? Maybe a few token $$s (and by a few token, I am talking probably raking in only $100 all told).
People have put firemen up on pedestals to the point that they cannot see beyond sound reasoning.
Do not get me wrong. I appreciate all their work. But I think everyone should use their heads and face the reality that they are greedy beyond anyone's reckoning.
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