We are a small, upstate NY department in Amsterdam NY. Our chief has a tendency to not act in the best interest of his people/department. He gives money back to the city at the end of each fiscal year, yet tells us there’s no money in the budget to fix/purchase vital equipment. He’s also secured himself a $30,000 raise. He doesn’t like to do anything that isn’t his idea. He works maybe a half day every day, but can be seen at any number of bars in the city on any given night. When a new guy asked about a bailout system as his style gear was not compatible, he was balked and asked when the last time anyone had to bail out was. Our equipment is old and failing, we have one modern TIC but a request for more was swept under the rug (back to city hall). His latest brainchild was a separate EMS division, so that we could “keep our trucks in service.” That was pitched as a two person crew assigned to only the ambulance, not working in the function of a firefighter. They were to be paired to a shift and provide 24 hour coverage. This was to be enacted until we could hire and adequately train more firefighters. If one called out, the shift was to be offered to firefighters for overtime. That has since changed to two people working random day shifts, generally not on weekends, and if one calls out, the other is told to stay home. There is no rhyme or reason to any of it. There was no set start date for these people until one day they randomly showed up and surprised the on duty battalion chief. No information is relayed. We ran our second ambulance without necessary equipment for years, and when that was brought to his attention recently, he had no idea. Our gear washer is broken, but he could not be bothered to call/authorize someone to come fix it. He makes guys do his own personal tasks, like wash his car, change his tires, install roof racks. His most important job lately has been removing yard signs (for small businesses, garage sales, etc). He will show up to a fire without having a clue what has been transpiring, and will assume command. There have been fires that he does not know the location of the fire, and has no idea whether there is a potential victim inside. He berates and belittles people at lunch over things to do in their personal lives.