Would you run into a burning building for 23,000 a year?

[noway]

23,000 a year... 10 years ago that was considered good pay.. Times have changed so much and its time that city & county government get with the program.

Keeping Fire Fighters a struggle (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070821/NEWS01/708210305)

The math I came up with the fireman make about 7.50 an hour..

[Conveyor Belt]

I have a habit of running into burning buildings for free.But I understand what your saying.
I know a lot of Firefighters,Police,Emergency Service Folks,Soldiers and Teachers that need a raise.Hope I didn't leave anybody out.

Doctors, Lawyers, fastfood workers, the guy that fixes the sewer line, the guys that repair the power lines, bricklayers, cakebakers, donutmakers and tailors, cleaners and maids, they all need more pay.

[Conveyor Belt]

And the smart asses side of me said to the question the article asked:

Would you run into a burning building for $23,000 a year?

**** **, *** **** *** **** ** * ****** ***** ** **** ***** **** ********!!!!

[Baloo]

That is sad Noway... I am grateful for their service, but gratitude does not help pay their bills... They do deserve more... If I were in charge....

[just-Wynn]

Like, just run into a random burning building for no good reason? Or would there be an objective? :police:

[Hermione]

That salary is criminal.

[Butterball]

Many public servants are grossly underpaid while a few in the top heavy bureaucracy do mighty well at the public's expense (you know who I'm speaking of in H'bg, eh?).

[kevin]

What would we do if we didn't have any firefighters?? These people have to be prepared every time they come to work.They work crazy shifts for just meager change.Well as I have known some firefighters and most do it because they want to make a difference and they do everyday fire or not we can sleep easier. Some have to have other jobs, Landscaping etc. This just isn't fair they do more work and are more essential to the safety of the community than most. If something happens to their family and they have needs can they be prepared on such pay. Seems our values aren't in order until we pay '"like our lives depended on it.''



'

[carsalesguy]

Doctors, Lawyers, fastfood workers, the guy that fixes the sewer line, the guys that repair the power lines, bricklayers, cakebakers, donutmakers and tailors, cleaners and maids, they all need more pay.


you forgot the car guys

[big john]

I would speed walk into the building,but not run.

[aaron]

This is another "Where does all the cities money go?" question. They can give a council woman a car, but can't increase firefighter pay by $3,000 a year?

[Conveyor Belt]

And still the question stands: How much is enough to compensate for risk and time away from family?

Personally, it's not the risk involved that would keep me away, but the time required to be spent away from my family. I'm not sure $100,000 a year would make me work a job that keeps me away from my family that much.

[Luvia]

I'm just thankful there are people out there that desire the profession. Police, doctors, firefighters, and teachers--if the world as we know it ended--we'd do alright w/ those. They should be paid and respected the most.

They are the heroes, not the overpaid, stupid athletes.

[XC9]

And the smart asses side of me said to the question the article asked:

Would you run into a burning building for $23,000 a year?

**** **, *** **** *** **** ** * ****** ***** ** **** ***** **** ********!!!!
I wouldn't do it for $50,000 a year. I have more fear of fire than any fear of criminals. Yes, we DO know the top brass who are not putting their lives at risk but being well compensated for the ones that are actually doing the work.
This is the real problem in all cities. Get rid of the cell phones and free vehicles to those who don't need it and they could afford to pay the workers more. Right, like that will ever happen.:laugh:

[mi_nombre_es]

not everyone needs a raise. Most people need to learn HOW money works and adjust their lives accordingly. Some people believe that you MUST HAVE NEW CARS, BIG TVS and Plastic surgery for the wife. Credit card eat most people alive......espically Sears with a standard rate around 25% and a default over 30%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Firefighters, police and teachers deserve to be paid more than our crooked, lazy ass, good for nothing reps in Jackson who are only contend with holding special sessions to waste more taxpayers money to pad their own pockets rather than doing something productive for once in their miserable lives and getting together a budget system that would be able to keep good teachers at good schools and give them raises based on performance. I guess i'm dreaming of a day when they will wake up and get a clue.

[Smoke Diver]

ON WDAM tv Mayor Dupree stated that firefighters get relief driver pay when they come out of the academy. He is mistaken. you must be certified by your station manager. This process takes a minimum of one year. Also the pay request that firefighters asked for was not based onjust sales tax collections. THe International Firefighters Association did a financial analysis of Hattiesburg our city is in above average financial shape according to this study. The sales tax collections are not the meat of our request just the gravy.

[BLAW]

Hattiesburg is one of the "premier cities" in Mississippi. There is plenty of money in this area. There is NO REASON that the pay for Firemen and Policemen should be behind the likes of Southhaven, MS! There is also NO REASON that our street program to have gotten in such bad shape. Thanks to the current city council for addressing the street problem. Now, get with the program and get the salaries of Hattiesburg's "finest" up-to-par.

[firefly]

you forgot the car guys
And the nurses!!!:(

[Conveyor Belt]

*cough* how much do nurses make an hour?

[MMA]

How many fires are there in Hattiesburg on an average day?? Are these guys overworked??

[cbunch25]

I agree....they definitely need a raise.

[firedocta]

If your loved ones were hurt or in trouble in any way you would want the best help you could find to come to their aid. Your fire department is losing people to other departments that pay much better than Hattiesburg does. To retian competent, professional employees the administration needs to pay their Firefighters or more will leave. Firefighting is a dangerous job, but that is not the only thing that firefighters do. We also respond to Hazardous materials spills and Ems calls as well. Pay your firefighters like you would want to be paid. Your life may depend on us one day.

[Bahlk]

I agree Firedocta.

I'll use the phrase for Fire, Police, and EMS pay "Pay like your life depends on it"

[maxim]

Like, just run into a random burning building for no good reason? Or would there be an objective? :police:


To rescue donuts?

[mi_nombre_es]

To rescue donuts?


You know the police would have a heart attack if Krispy Kreme burned to the ground and the fire department couldn't save it! Let's give the fire people a raise to protect the police!!!!!!!!!

[just-Wynn]

To rescue donuts? *Wynn pushes all his chips to the center of the table* I'm all in. :police:

How does one become a fireman exactly? What training, education, etc. is involved?

[Guru]

I've done it for free ...
But I do agree, and I think all civil servants in terms or firemen, police and teachers are underpaid.

[firedocta]

How does one become a fireman exactly? What training, education, etc. is involved?[/quote]

To become a firefighter, you must first apply at city hall. If by chance you are one of the FEW selected to become one of Hattiesburgs Bravest you will have to go to school for 2 months or so in order to pass the Mississippi minimum standards for firefighters. After completion of minimum standards you will then be trained in Hazardous Materials and First responder in EMS. There are many more courses to take throughout your career that will improve your job performance as a firefighter or a fire officer. You can never be totally prepared for every call so we must train often and as realistically as possible without compromising safety to ensure that we come home the next morning when there has been a real emergency.

[Panhandle]

I have a huge respect for cival servants. And I believe that they deserve more pay. But I also have to say that when each cival servant chose that profession, he or she knew that the pay would always be lousy. Perhaps a move to a place where more pay can be earned is a possibility?

A few years ago I moved about 900 miles away because I knew that I would never earn a "good" living in Mississippi with the skills I have. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions to provide for those we love.

[goober66]

Perhaps a move to a place where more pay can be earned is a possibility?


That's exactly what's happening, and what the fire department is trying to avoid.

[goober66]

How many fires are there in Hattiesburg on an average day?? Are these guys overworked??

Hard to say. Some days there are 3-4. Many days, probably most days, none. A modern fire department does much more than fight fires. At least it does in most other places. This was just posted by 'Firedog' on the HA editorial forum:

"Most HFD guys would like to work much more than we do. Unfortunately, the calls that we make and the training and skills we are allowed to exercise are limited by petty disagreements/misunderstandings/turf battles/whatever with other agencies in the area. We are working to overcome those obstacles, but progress is difficult and slow. I can't help but believe that if the citizens of Hattiesburg were fully aware of the services they are being denied, there would be a serious public outcry."

[dollfus46]

23,000 a year... 10 years ago that was considered good pay.. Times have changed so much and its time that city & county government get with the program.

Keeping Fire Fighters a struggle (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070821/NEWS01/708210305)

The math I came up with the fireman make about 7.50 an hour..

Nah, but I'd run into a burning building for $23,000 cash, in a fire proof. money box.:smt023 I've always been one who appreciates instant gratificatioin.

[dream member]

Nah, but I'd run into a burning building for $23,000 cash, in a fire proof. money box.:smt023


Can you still run at this point in life? :smt118:bowrofl:

[dollfus46]

Can you still run at this point in life? :smt118:bowrofl:

You know what they say about payback? Harsh.:smt009

[dream member]

You know what they say about payback? Harsh.:smt009

Dollfus...you're mild! :) Besides..I like ya...so I'll let get me back! :smt023

[walking tall]

well according to the leader of hattiesburg. firemen have enough time off they can work a second job. and if you take that 1000 dollar a year raise that they get if city council approves and divide it by 26 pay checks..thats not a lot then when uncle sam gets his part they make about 15 to 20 dollars extra a pay check. thats why every firefighter i know either owns his on business,wife is a nurse or he works 2 part time jobs just to pay the bills

[Fire Extinguisher]

Lets take a look at what the Firefighters actually do for their pitiful pay.

These statistics are for the 6-month period January 1 to June 30, 2007.

Incidents:

Fire - 202; Overpressure
Explosion or Rupture – 3
Rescue & EMS – 202
Hazardous conditions with no fire – 81. This would include HAZMAT calls and wrecks with no injuries.
Public Service Assistance calls – 125. This category includes lockouts; smoke removal and assistance to other agencies.
Good intent calls- 81. Good intent calls are those calls that the citizens thought they had an emergency but actually did not, response is still Code 3 (lights and siren).
False Alarms – 93.
Weather Related calls – 6.

That’s a grand total of 793 responses in a 6-month period.

Training:

These classes include in-service training as well as classes attended at the State or National Fire Academies.

There were 412 classes attended by the firefighters for a total of 4,767 man-hours.

This is in addition to duties such as hydrant testing, truck testing, equipment up-keep and maintenance, station and yard cleanup, paperwork associated with alarms and daily duties. Public Service such as going to schools and other places for public education is not included in the above figures. Firefighters are asked to go to ball fields to stand-by in case kids get hurt, we are asked to participate in parades… the list goes on and on.

Lets not forget our civilian employees such as the Inspectors and Fire Investigators since they are also under paid. These are the ones that go out and inspect every business in town to make sure that the conditions there are safe for you to be there. They also investigate the fires and are responsible for all the work and arrests on the recent arson fires.

With all of that, why should these men and women have to work second jobs just to be able to eat?

WAKE UP H'BURG!

[r13]

:zelfmoord:sob::repuke:

[queenrey]

i can't say THANK YOU enough to the men and women that do put their lives on the lines for us............me personally no i would not do it............i work nights and it is a big turn around trying to run a family by working nights..........i know how much i miss just by working nights and i also know the time fire fighters spend away from their families, get called away from a meal, or in the middle of the night. so i definately would have to say no. it's not worth the time or the money to miss that much time with my family

[TRIXR4KIDS]

here here quennray

[dream member]

I'd like to do it...

[FIRECHIEF1]

Hey think about us volunteers. We run into burning buildings for FREE. The only thing we get out of it is the warm feeling in our hearts knowing that we helped someone else. But hey I wouldn't have it any other way. I just wish the citizens of the community showed a little more respect to volunteers and supported their volunteer fire departments a little better.

[RGDoherty]

Not to mention, the time you give for training Chief. Don't y'all have to go to the state academy before you can make entries????? I have to go to Industrial Firefighting every 5 years for work, and I still don't like climbing downstairs into a simulated engine room fire that is blowing and going.....worse than that is when you put it out, you're pitch black like in a grave.

[FIRECHIEF1]

yes we have to go through a 48hr classroom course and then a hands on day at the fire academy in Jackson and we are required to have at least two 12hr courses through the state fire academy each year. So there is more to being a Volunteer Firefighter than most people think. Its not just some rednecks who want to be seen with a red light in their truck.

[dream member]

yes we have to go through a 48hr classroom course and then a hands on day at the fire academy in Jackson and we are required to have at least two 12hr courses through the state fire academy each year. So there is more to being a Volunteer Firefighter than most people think. Its not just some rednecks who want to be seen with a red light in their truck.

Wow. You run into people who really think that? How do idiots like that actually survive on a daily basis?!?

Another case of the "needs to be beaten for stupidity" law!

[MMA]

Three months later and the same old topic rears it's head again, must be a quarterly thing.

[walking tall]

Like i said trying to get that whole out of sight out of mind thing out in the open.....it should not be swept under the rug

[Conveyor Belt]

Three months later and the same old topic rears it's head again, must be a quarterly thing.

Please note who posted this thread and only this/these threads...

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

maybe 15 years ago we had a winter storm and had some trees go down across roads and such. Ice was everywhere and hazardous to be out in. The smart people did not go anywhere and the ones that did go out drove extremely cautious... Enter my 15 year old nephew who was bullet proof and invincible... He went out in it in his little jap car (Can't remember the model but it was little) And topped the hill at too fast a speed and there a tree was laid over. He slammed on brakes which did not break his speed much and wedged the little car under the tree. It was right in front of Dixie Baptist Church and the pastor dialed 911. The first on the scene was the Dixie Volunteer Fire Department... And the volunteer was trained in emergency first aid and knew what to do. He wasn't hurt and by the time the ambulance got there the emergency was over. The VOlunteers cleared the road and my mother told me to give a prayer of thanks or those volunteer firemen...

It has been a long time since I read the Hattiesburg American but they used to post the times it took for the trucks to arrive once they got a call... It was almost always 3 minutes and less... Even on emergencies that did not require fire protection merely paramedics...
The Ambulances always got there after the firemen... And the Firemen are given a weight room to workout in to stay in top shape... There is one that has a tree service that thinks he can take me wrestling but he can't...

Anyway... Those of you that do not appreciate firemen and other emergency people have never needed one... But if you ever do rest assured you are being sent some pretty decent folks... !!!!:clap: