Help our Fire Fighters

Had the opportunity to speak with a fire fighter who came to my door yesterday. If the opportunity presents itself ask one of your firefighters if they have the resources they need. The current administration is not only oppressive but causing detrimental harm to the lives and safety of the community. Here are the facts...

Fire Fighter turnover rate 50%

Inadequately manned appartus and Fire Stations

Antiquated Fire Truck approved for repair

Decrease in staffing over the last 5 years

Opened a million dollar fire house to only staff an ambulance.

Food for thought...

I heard the Mayor wants to get rid of all the firefighters and replace them with part time firefighters or contract people. That would not be good. I hope that does not happen. You all must vote courtney in to trustee office and stop this possible problem before it starts.

Folks we have come to the point standing up to egotistical politics in our city. Many may not know but the fire department is its own governing body, seperate from the city of Palos Heights. It is run by three trustees. Bill Craven's term is up with the election April 7. What is more scary that Mr Craven is 83 (90 if he is elected to another term to when that term is up) or that Bernie Kay will have complete control of this governing body. You see Bill Craven lives next door to Bernie Kay. Seems to me the fix is in. I heard that Bernie Kay does not respect the fireman, and that since the fireman support Chris Courtney that Bernie Kay is trying to make new policies to disipline them. Sounds like someone is on a power trip. Is Mr. Craven running his own campaign. Doesn't look like it at that age. It is really Berine Kay running against Chris Courtney. Bernie Kay has made it personnel in trying to attack Chris Courtney at his job Palos Fire Protection District by talking to their fire trustees about Chris. What work has Mr Craven done for his campaign. Looks like nothing. Shame on Mr Pasquineli for going to the City meeting complianing about Tom Courtney's sign. Fight your own battles running for mayor not Bernie Kay's battles. Alderman Clifford well he is in bed with Bernie Kay too. Why because Bernie Kay tried to shakedown Northpoint developers for a new ladder truck that the Fire District can't staff. When they told him no he was then against the project and used the Fire Chief as his puppet to oppose the project only after being turned down. Can you Little Blago Bernie Kay. Those Skeltons will come out of his closet if Chris Courtney is elected. Vote Courtney on April 7. I am.

Bernie Kay No Way wrote:

Folks we have come to the point standing up to egotistical politics in our city. Many may not know but the fire department is its own governing body, seperate from the city of Palos Heights. It is run by three trustees. Bill Craven's term is up with the election April 7. What is more scary that Mr Craven is 83 (90 if he is elected to another term to when that term is up) or that Bernie Kay will have complete control of this governing body. You see Bill Craven lives next door to Bernie Kay. Seems to me the fix is in. I heard that Bernie Kay does not respect the fireman, and that since the fireman support Chris Courtney that Bernie Kay is trying to make new policies to disipline them. Sounds like someone is on a power trip. Is Mr. Craven running his own campaign. Doesn't look like it at that age. It is really Berine Kay running against Chris Courtney. Bernie Kay has made it personnel in trying to attack Chris Courtney at his job Palos Fire Protection District by talking to their fire trustees about Chris. What work has Mr Craven done for his campaign. Looks like nothing. Shame on Mr Pasquineli for going to the City meeting complianing about Tom Courtney's sign. Fight your own battles running for mayor not Bernie Kay's battles. Alderman Clifford well he is in bed with Bernie Kay too. Why because Bernie Kay tried to shakedown Northpoint developers for a new ladder truck that the Fire District can't staff. When they told him no he was then against the project and used the Fire Chief as his puppet to oppose the project only after being turned down. Can you Little Blago Bernie Kay. Those Skeltons will come out of his closet if Chris Courtney is elected. Vote Courtney on April 7. I am.

i say get rid of all the whinning firemen. Go part-time like Tinley Park, Crestwood, Evergreen Park( who run way more calls then Palos Heights )and Posen.

Palos Heights did not need a second fire station. Alsip, Palos Park and Crestwood all have aerial ladders and run with Palos heights, they do not need a ladder truck.

It is time elected officials stop giving into unions and start being responsive to the tax payers.If the guy is elected don't you think the union is going to expect him to give them everything because they backed him? Enough. GO PART TIME and save a lot of money. You could even have more manpower on per shift and that would address the problem of inadequate manpower. Problem solved.

They don't need full-time people. They do nothing but order food at the restaurants in town. and gossip anout other people.

Part-time fighters wrote:

They don't need full-time people. They do nothing but order food at the restaurants in town. and gossip anout other people.

Why encourage stereotypes? They can work both ways and I don't see anyone pointing the finger at Part Time or Volley Departments in this conversation. Everyone is entitled to their opinoin and I don't doubt that Part Time Departments don't work in other towns. In retrospect you must look at who is making those Part Time Departments work. Part Time members who are career fire fighters in other Departments. Fire Unions have nothing to do with current situations across the country. It is the economic times that are effecting all occupations and it is very discouraging that someone would be so ignorant as to call for someones job in this current atmosphere.

PART TIME wrote:

<quoted text>
Why encourage stereotypes? They can work both ways and I don't see anyone pointing the finger at Part Time or Volley Departments in this conversation. Everyone is entitled to their opinoin and I don't doubt that Part Time Departments don't work in other towns. In retrospect you must look at who is making those Part Time Departments work. Part Time members who are career fire fighters in other Departments. Fire Unions have nothing to do with current situations across the country. It is the economic times that are effecting all occupations and it is very discouraging that someone would be so ignorant as to call for someones job in this current atmosphere.

The career firefighters are thankful for Departments like Tinley. Afterall most of us got our start in the private ambulance service right out of paramedic school. It was wonderful training and experience. The residents of Tinley are the ones who suffer in the long term.

Tinley Park wrote:

<quoted text>
The career firefighters are thankful for Departments like Tinley. Afterall most of us got our start in the private ambulance service right out of paramedic school. It was wonderful training and experience. The residents of Tinley are the ones who suffer in the long term.

Ah hahaha ah hahaha ah hahahahah. What are you talking about? Tinley has modern up to date equipment that is staffed everyday by qualified firefighters. Just because they are part-time means nothing. Tinley Park runs 5 times the amount of calls that Palos Heights does. Palos Heights has guys on the job with zero experience. They have no training tower to adequately train like Tinley does. They have a tremendous amount of part-timers personnel who respond back on call backs which Palos Heights does not have. They also have more people who are full time firefighters working in Tinley then Palos Heights has total firefighters. So to me it looks like Palos Heights is the one suffering not Tinley Park.

Suffering wrote:

<quoted text>Ah hahaha ah hahaha ah hahahahah. What are you talking about? Tinley has modern up to date equipment that is staffed everyday by qualified firefighters. Just because they are part-time means nothing. Tinley Park runs 5 times the amount of calls that Palos Heights does. Palos Heights has guys on the job with zero experience. They have no training tower to adequately train like Tinley does. They have a tremendous amount of part-timers personnel who respond back on call backs which Palos Heights does not have. They also have more people who are full time firefighters working in Tinley then Palos Heights has total firefighters. So to me it looks like Palos Heights is the one suffering not Tinley Park.

Thanks for agreeing. Point taken career Full Time Fire Fighters are running Tinley Park. See ya on the re-kindle! Have a nice day.

Tinley Park wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks for agreeing. Point taken career Full Time Fire Fighters are running Tinley Park. See ya on the re-kindle! Have a nice day.

Now just because Palos Heights has had a few rekindles does not make them bad men. That was a low blow. They can not help it they could only get hired in Palos Heights which is a very soooooow fire department.

No one has any education or experience. The Chief high school education. Never worked any where else. The Deputy Chief some college. Worked at Vandenberg Ambulance and was promoted to Captain with in two years. I could go on and on but leave them alone. They have Palos fire who comes in and puts their fires out.

Suffering wrote:

<quoted text>Now just because Palos Heights has had a few rekindles does not make them bad men. That was a low blow. They can not help it they could only get hired in Palos Heights which is a very soooooow fire department.
No one has any education or experience. The Chief high school education. Never worked any where else. The Deputy Chief some college. Worked at Vandenberg Ambulance and was promoted to Captain with in two years. I could go on and on but leave them alone. They have Palos fire who comes in and puts their fires out.

Come on. The best part-time job is a Palos Heights firemen. They get hardly any calls. If it were not for running with Palos, Alsip and Crestwood they would run about 1500 calls per year at best. Shut up. You guys got a great part-time job with full time benefits.

What rekindle are we talking about the one in Tinley? For your info there are a number of firefighters and Palos Heights who have a BS in Fire Science Management. Not to metion all the State Fire Marshal certs and training these guys have. Every firefighter is there is a paramedic which you need a year and a half of school and clinical time to complete. There are members on the dive, cart and hazmat teams who are highly trained in their respective disipline. Why don't you ask your Tinley, Crestwood, about the DC. He is one of the most respected firefighter on the South Burbs. When is the last time you saw books put out fires? Sounds like you are lucky and never had to use any services the fire department has to offer.

How many days are you away from your family. These guys are away from there family over 100 24 hour days at work. How many Christmas Days or Eves have you spent away from your family. Then on top of that treated the sick of Palos Heights, risk lives putting out fires, cutting people out of cars, and being there in the time of need.

If you are going to talk you should do some research on what you are talking about. Educate yourself. If you did you would know Professional Full Time firefighters are held to different standards than part time. Once you provide that service to those higher standards you can't just change that service. It is proven in case law. Recently City of Gary vs Professional FireFighters of City of Gary is a perfect example. The court ruled in favor of the firefighters because the City of Gary established that service and in public safety you can not reduce that service.

Who are the people who hire those people and create those positions. Elected Officials. That is why we need a Change. Punch 312 on April 7 Chris Courtney for Fire District Trustee.

Bernie Kay No Way wrote:

What rekindle are we talking about the one in Tinley? For your info there are a number of firefighters and Palos Heights who have a BS in Fire Science Management. Not to metion all the State Fire Marshal certs and training these guys have. Every firefighter is there is a paramedic which you need a year and a half of school and clinical time to complete. There are members on the dive, cart and hazmat teams who are highly trained in their respective disipline. Why don't you ask your Tinley, Crestwood, about the DC. He is one of the most respected firefighter on the South Burbs. When is the last time you saw books put out fires? Sounds like you are lucky and never had to use any services the fire department has to offer.
How many days are you away from your family. These guys are away from there family over 100 24 hour days at work. How many Christmas Days or Eves have you spent away from your family. Then on top of that treated the sick of Palos Heights, risk lives putting out fires, cutting people out of cars, and being there in the time of need.
If you are going to talk you should do some research on what you are talking about. Educate yourself. If you did you would know Professional Full Time firefighters are held to different standards than part time. Once you provide that service to those higher standards you can't just change that service. It is proven in case law. Recently City of Gary vs Professional FireFighters of City of Gary is a perfect example. The court ruled in favor of the firefighters because the City of Gary established that service and in public safety you can not reduce that service.
Who are the people who hire those people and create those positions. Elected Officials. That is why we need a Change. Punch 312 on April 7 Chris Courtney for Fire District Trustee.

You guys still have the best part-tme full-time job any where. You run very little calls. If Palos Heights decided to reduce their staff there is not much you could do. Your DC is not one of the most respected in the south burbs. Call Alsip and Blue Island and ask them. you would not want to know what they think of him.

Bernie Kay No Way wrote:

What rekindle are we talking about the one in Tinley? For your info there are a number of firefighters and Palos Heights who have a BS in Fire Science Management. Not to metion all the State Fire Marshal certs and training these guys have. Every firefighter is there is a paramedic which you need a year and a half of school and clinical time to complete. There are members on the dive, cart and hazmat teams who are highly trained in their respective disipline. Why don't you ask your Tinley, Crestwood, about the DC. He is one of the most respected firefighter on the South Burbs. When is the last time you saw books put out fires? Sounds like you are lucky and never had to use any services the fire department has to offer.
How many days are you away from your family. These guys are away from there family over 100 24 hour days at work. How many Christmas Days or Eves have you spent away from your family. Then on top of that treated the sick of Palos Heights, risk lives putting out fires, cutting people out of cars, and being there in the time of need.
If you are going to talk you should do some research on what you are talking about. Educate yourself. If you did you would know Professional Full Time firefighters are held to different standards than part time. Once you provide that service to those higher standards you can't just change that service. It is proven in case law. Recently City of Gary vs Professional FireFighters of City of Gary is a perfect example. The court ruled in favor of the firefighters because the City of Gary established that service and in public safety you can not reduce that service.
Who are the people who hire those people and create those positions. Elected Officials. That is why we need a Change. Punch 312 on April 7 Chris Courtney for Fire District Trustee.

I believe the other guy was probably talking about the house fire on 126 off of Ridgeland several years back where you guys could not find anything and then several hours later the whole second floor was rolling when you guys were called back.

That was a weak and uneducated response. There must be alot of two face guys out there according to you, because I know a number of guys in both places. In less you have facts keep your BS to yourself.

Bernie Kay No Way wrote:

That was a weak and uneducated response. There must be alot of two face guys out there according to you, because I know a number of guys in both places. In less you have facts keep your BS to yourself.

I was at that fire. I use to work for Alsip. We were there in the early evening for a smell of smoke and Sarge could not find anything. We were then dispatched back in the early morning hours and the second floor was well involved. It happens. What are you going to do?

House Fire wrote:

<quoted text>I was at that fire. I use to work for Alsip. We were there in the early evening for a smell of smoke and Sarge could not find anything. We were then dispatched back in the early morning hours and the second floor was well involved. It happens. What are you going to do?

I was there too I worked part-time for Palos Fire Protection. The second floor was heavily involved in fire on Palos Heights arrival. I agree it happens. I now work for Chicago. Good luck.

Why all the bickering? Every Department across the area is facing problems at the moment. We are all here to accomplish the same goal and go home to our families. Each FD and Fire Fighter has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Its all about facing challenges then resolving those challenges; adapt and overcome. I would assume by Tinley Parks responses that he has low self esteem and is justifying his inadequacies by going on the defensive. No one cares! If you want to justify your greatness through ownership of a burn tower than more power to you. Ultimately you should re-think your association with the Fire Department, because you are way off the mark. Its about one thing..DUTY, PRIDE, TRADITION AND BROTHERHOOD. None of which you seem to want to express. To the real Brothers out there please abandon this blog and no longer entertain this jag off with further banter. Stay safe.

Brotherhood wrote:

Why all the bickering? Every Department across the area is facing problems at the moment. We are all here to accomplish the same goal and go home to our families. Each FD and Fire Fighter has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Its all about facing challenges then resolving those challenges; adapt and overcome. I would assume by Tinley Parks responses that he has low self esteem and is justifying his inadequacies by going on the defensive. No one cares! If you want to justify your greatness through ownership of a burn tower than more power to you. Ultimately you should re-think your association with the Fire Department, because you are way off the mark. Its about one thing..DUTY, PRIDE, TRADITION AND BROTHERHOOD. None of which you seem to want to express. To the real Brothers out there please abandon this blog and no longer entertain this jag off with further banter. Stay safe.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there is no brotherhood in the fire service. You have the union departments who thump their chests that because they are union that makes them a better firefighter.

You have the part-time/POC departments who nit picks at every mistake a union fire department makes.

The biggest enemy we face as firefighters is ourselves. The younger firefighters are on the job and have the "it's all about me” attitude. The older guys are tired of the bullshit and want out. The politicians have all different factions talking into their ears bad mouthing the other factions.

I am not saying you lose your right to freedom of speech. If you have a problem with a department or individual talk to them personally. Posting complaints or bashing an individual or another department anonymously on the internet is being a chicken-shit.

Lets get back to the basics. Come in do your job to the best of your ability. Worry about yourself and not every other guy on the job. Keep your mouth shut. Treat the citizens and your co-workers with respect and go home to your families.

It is sad to say but slowly we are loosing the "tradition and brotherhood" of the fire service.

Some day you will be retired and in a very short time the firefighters will have forgotten who you are. That is a fact. Everybody is replaceable. Live for today because tomorrow may not be there.

I was there too wrote:

<quoted text>I was there too I worked part-time for Palos Fire Protection. The second floor was heavily involved in fire on Palos Heights arrival. I agree it happens. I now work for Chicago. Good luck.

I bet if we looked hard enough every department has experienced this at one time or another over the years. It's what they say"shit happens".