Comments on: Escambia Looks To Increase Volunteer Response, Staff Some Stations With Career Firefighters http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:33:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: M in Bratt http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297321 M in Bratt Sun, 26 Apr 2015 12:28:05 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297321 The comments here that imply that firefighters should stay locked up in the fire station until they get an alarm show ignorance of the nature of their job's on the part of some people. What looks like riding around in the fire engine is actually firefighters making an effort to better learn their response area so that they can make quicker responses to YOU when you are in need. What looks like firefighters sitting idle in a restaurant is usually the result of the firefighters being forced to eat out because they have been busy all day, and didn't have time to cook. To the naysayers; how many times have you seen the firefighters leave a half eaten meal on the table because they had to respond to YOUR emergency? Wouldn't you rather inexperienced drivers learn to safely handle the big, heavy trucks in non-emergency situations than while responding to YOUR emergency? The comments here that imply that firefighters should stay locked up in the fire station until they get an alarm show ignorance of the nature of their job’s on the part of some people. What looks like riding around in the fire engine is actually firefighters making an effort to better learn their response area so that they can make quicker responses to YOU when you are in need. What looks like firefighters sitting idle in a restaurant is usually the result of the firefighters being forced to eat out because they have been busy all day, and didn’t have time to cook. To the naysayers; how many times have you seen the firefighters leave a half eaten meal on the table because they had to respond to YOUR emergency? Wouldn’t you rather inexperienced drivers learn to safely handle the big, heavy trucks in non-emergency situations than while responding to YOUR emergency?

]]> By: Jane http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297237 Jane Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:15:16 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297237 I wonder if the County commissioners lived out here for a few months if they would give this more consideration? Our volunteer firemen do a great job and have great response time. I would like to see them recognized for all they do out here....not just fires but response time to accidents and injuries. They are often the first ones there to provide aid to accident victims and make sure a vehicle does not catch fire (or put one out). My thanks to each one of them for taking their time and putting their lives at risk to help others!!! I wonder if the County commissioners lived out here for a few months if they would give this more consideration? Our volunteer firemen do a great job and have great response time. I would like to see them recognized for all they do out here….not just fires but response time to accidents and injuries. They are often the first ones there to provide aid to accident victims and make sure a vehicle does not catch fire (or put one out). My thanks to each one of them for taking their time and putting their lives at risk to help others!!!

]]> By: Sam http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297213 Sam Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:52:38 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297213 Our firemen both full time and volunteer do a great job, at least in the north end. Don't know anything about the south end. Our firemen both full time and volunteer do a great job, at least in the north end. Don’t know anything about the south end.

]]> By: GregSims http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297201 GregSims Fri, 24 Apr 2015 20:01:24 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297201 I have been a volunteer and career firefighter all for Escambia County. The union does push for more firefighters. Because the need for more manpower to work safer. Engine companies that should be staffed with 4 firefighters have been reduced to having to work with 3 firefighters so you could provide more coverage in other areas. I have been on the engine with only 3 firefighters and there are a lot of things that you are limited too doing. Interior fire attack and search is one very important lifesaving function that you are limited to do with only 3 firefighters, because of the two in two out rule. You simply can't have two in and two out with only 3 firefighters. So you have to wait for additional help to arrive before attempting to make entry. So don't be so quick to judge unless you have walked a mile in my boots. I fully support a tax increase to provide the necessary protection needed and the manpower to be able to work safer. Volunteer or paid they are all professionals. I have been a volunteer and career firefighter all for Escambia County. The union does push for more firefighters. Because the need for more manpower to work safer. Engine companies that should be staffed with 4 firefighters have been reduced to having to work with 3 firefighters so you could provide more coverage in other areas. I have been on the engine with only 3 firefighters and there are a lot of things that you are limited too doing. Interior fire attack and search is one very important lifesaving function that you are limited to do with only 3 firefighters, because of the two in two out rule. You simply can’t have two in and two out with only 3 firefighters. So you have to wait for additional help to arrive before attempting to make entry. So don’t be so quick to judge unless you have walked a mile in my boots. I fully support a tax increase to provide the necessary protection needed and the manpower to be able to work safer. Volunteer or paid they are all professionals.

]]> By: Starts at the top... http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297193 Starts at the top... Fri, 24 Apr 2015 18:08:51 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297193 If you had a choice, would you pick a “volunteer physician” or a “professional physician”? They are both trained to perform the same duties, held to the same expectations of service by the public. Basically the only difference is one does not rely on it as their primary source of income. If you want a cohesive department, start with using both correct and respectful terminology for the firefighters that are protecting their communities. "…a volunteer firefighter saying something about the professionals…" Mr. Underhill (and the rest of the commisoners) you have career personnel and volunteer personnel they are both professionals. Referring to one with the title of “professional” would be indicative that the volunteers do not know what they are doing, and that sir is not the case. Show them the respect they have earned. Can some of the vounteer staff do better or act/dress more professionally, yes they could (but so could some of the career staff). If you had a choice, would you pick a “volunteer physician” or a “professional physician”? They are both trained to perform the same duties, held to the same expectations of service by the public. Basically the only difference is one does not rely on it as their primary source of income.

If you want a cohesive department, start with using both correct and respectful terminology for the firefighters that are protecting their communities.

“…a volunteer firefighter saying something about the professionals…”

Mr. Underhill (and the rest of the commisoners) you have career personnel and volunteer personnel they are both professionals.

Referring to one with the title of “professional” would be indicative that the volunteers do not know what they are doing, and that sir is not the case. Show them the respect they have earned. Can some of the vounteer staff do better or act/dress more professionally, yes they could (but so could some of the career staff).

]]> By: charlie http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297177 charlie Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:53:42 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297177 Has it been the agenda of the fire fighters "union" to have all paid fire fighters? Bet it was. Since the tax payers are FORCED to pay for the union, lets have a county wide vote and see just where the "union" stands with the tax payer. I bet he union would lose. Has it been the agenda of the fire fighters “union” to have all paid fire fighters?

Bet it was. Since the tax payers are FORCED to pay for the union, lets have a county wide vote and see just where the “union” stands with the tax payer. I bet he union would lose.

]]> By: Concerned http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297170 Concerned Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:51:03 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297170 Has anyone taken the time to do statistics on how many houses are destroyed when the paid crews arrive or the response time as compared to the volunteers? People would be amazed. I see them eating at places way out of their district considering they have kitchens in every fire station. We have family in many other states and all they have are volunteer fire departments from California to South Florida and north to Pennsylvania. Our MSBU doesn't need to be raised in order to pay for these kind of services. Make a meal at the fire station or make a meal at home and use the microwave this would save on gas. I worked at Century Hospital for over 8 years which was County owned and under the Escambia County Commissioners, we were not allowed to leave for meals, we either ate from the cafeteria or carried our meal from home. Each and everyone of us survived. I understand fire departments are called out to house fires, wrecks and public assist and I believe all do a good job, but monies could be cut in other areas and still proved good service. One thing if you are more in your fire station then you are in your DISTRICT. I've made many of a meal for my husband to take to work and still do. I like the way Mr. Underhill presented his side Paid and Volunteers need to work together for this county and be Proud of it. Thanks Mr. Underhill. Has anyone taken the time to do statistics on how many houses are destroyed when the paid crews arrive or the response time as compared to the volunteers? People would be amazed. I see them eating at places way out of their district considering they have kitchens in every fire station. We have family in many other states and all they have are volunteer fire departments from California to South Florida and north to Pennsylvania. Our MSBU doesn’t need to be raised in order to pay for these kind of services. Make a meal at the fire station or make a meal at home and use the microwave this would save on gas. I worked at Century Hospital for over 8 years which was County owned and under the Escambia County Commissioners, we were not allowed to leave for meals, we either ate from the cafeteria or carried our meal from home. Each and everyone of us survived. I understand fire departments are called out to house fires, wrecks and public assist and I believe all do a good job, but monies could be cut in other areas and still proved good service. One thing if you are more in your fire station then you are in your DISTRICT. I’ve made many of a meal for my husband to take to work and still do. I like the way Mr. Underhill presented his side Paid and Volunteers need to work together for this county and be Proud of it. Thanks Mr. Underhill.

]]> By: BrattBrat http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297168 BrattBrat Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:25:02 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297168 It's simple, make the volunteer process more streamlined and they will come! Regardless what they say the union has an agenda or they wouldn't exist! It’s simple, make the volunteer process more streamlined and they will come! Regardless what they say the union has an agenda or they wouldn’t exist!

]]> By: Mike Amerson http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297157 Mike Amerson Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:16:21 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297157 Mr. Underhill, if you really want to resolve the issues, pay all of them. Try and imagine the savings on insurance for the citizens, the jobs it creates for the county, the influence it would have on a family considering a move to Esc' Co' and of course, the lack of issues between paid firefighters vs. not paid. You can't expect there not to be problems when you have one group of employees not being paid and the other group being paid and both working out of the same building doing the same job. I knew when the county first went with the above it was going to be a problem. These men and women do a job a lot of people either refuse to do or just plain out can't handle the stress that comes with the job. There are areas within your current budget that could fund such action and I really don't think in the future you would have a problem with citizens understanding a small tax increase to cont' funding them. With that being said, citizens would expect their tax dollars to be spent on the improvements for the entire county and not just certain Commissioners District. I worked in the county system for just about 25 years and can verify the fact that money is wasted daily. An example would be the county pays 20.00 for a box of pens and you can go to Wal-Mart and buy the same pens for 6.00. Beats all I've ever seen. Good luck to all the men and women that put their lives on the line to provide a service for people they don't even know. Mike Mr. Underhill, if you really want to resolve the issues, pay all of them. Try and imagine the savings on insurance for the citizens, the jobs it creates for the county, the influence it would have on a family considering a move to Esc’ Co’ and of course, the lack of issues between paid firefighters vs. not paid. You can’t expect there not to be problems when you have one group of employees not being paid and the other group being paid and both working out of the same building doing the same job. I knew when the county first went with the above it was going to be a problem. These men and women do a job a lot of people either refuse to do or just plain out can’t handle the stress that comes with the job. There are areas within your current budget that could fund such action and I really don’t think in the future you would have a problem with citizens understanding a small tax increase to cont’ funding them. With that being said, citizens would expect their tax dollars to be spent on the improvements for the entire county and not just certain Commissioners District. I worked in the county system for just about 25 years and can verify the fact that money is wasted daily. An example would be the county pays 20.00 for a box of pens and you can go to Wal-Mart and buy the same pens for 6.00. Beats all I’ve ever seen. Good luck to all the men and women that put their lives on the line to provide a service for people they don’t even know. Mike

]]> By: Jane http://www.northescambia.com/2015/04/escambia-looks-to-increase-volunteer-response-staff-some-stations-with-career-firefighters/comment-page-1#comment-297144 Jane Fri, 24 Apr 2015 08:33:57 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=213877#comment-297144 If Pensacola wants more paid firefighters let the people in Pensacola pay for them. We all know those of us in the north end will pay but not receive, as usual. If Pensacola wants more paid firefighters let the people in Pensacola pay for them. We all know those of us in the north end will pay but not receive, as usual.

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