As a whole the department is ran as a private organization. Pay is not the greatest whatsoever with a pay of 15.75/hr. A majority of the schedule is messed up beyond repair, with pay either not being on time and being withheld 2-3 days after the actual pay date. Admin is so behind on the times that they still administer paychecks in paper and say that they cannot afford to do direct deposit when the chief has 3 “Admin vehicles”. Those vehicles are not used except for 1. Morale is in the negatives, the crew always dreads coming in and is burnt out before even entering the door. For resources and equipment as said above the crews have too many apparatus and not enough personnel.
Let’s start off by saying: the department has strong potential. But with the chief also being the owner (private, 501(c)3), it’s never going to change.
There is more focus on getting equipment for the Philippines than there is for the guys there at the department.
Promotions seem to be based strictly off tenure, and not experience or ability. The Chief himself, is stuck in 1980, and doesn’t have the experience or knowledge to be a chief. I am not one of them, but there are multiple individuals at that department that would make awesome officers. But for one reason or another, the chief has an excuse. But, even if they were to get promoted, it wouldn’t make a difference. Because the chief there won’t allow it.
The chief burns every bridge possible, and is known for the issues he has with chiefs of other departments. Which makes growth difficult, if not impossible. The department ends up being the laughing stock of the area, largely in part to this. The department hardly gets mutual aide because of the drama caused by the chief. Even though there are some kick ass FFs there, they don’t get a chance to show it and do work.
The chief is on the verge of losing every good FF that comes out of there, due to underpaying, understaffing, and just the BS from higher ups.
Now, he is focusing on sending people to Eloy’s fire academy, which is another issue in itself. Then once they finish, placing them on shift immediately to fill holes. No real experience. No real training. It’s a safety concern and he doesn’t care.
The department wants to take away the little bit of OT you can get, and replace it with stipends. “Here, take this extra shift for $240 for 24 hours instead of OT pay”
This department needs to be a district with outside influence and a new command structure. Or, to be disbanded and started from scratch by someone else. I wish the best for the department and the boys. But it’s a loss at this point, I fear.
Rating Breakdown
1.5/5
1.5/5
1.5/5
1/5
2 Reviews on “Regional Fire and Rescue Department”
As a whole the department is ran as a private organization. Pay is not the greatest whatsoever with a pay of 15.75/hr. A majority of the schedule is messed up beyond repair, with pay either not being on time and being withheld 2-3 days after the actual pay date. Admin is so behind on the times that they still administer paychecks in paper and say that they cannot afford to do direct deposit when the chief has 3 “Admin vehicles”. Those vehicles are not used except for 1. Morale is in the negatives, the crew always dreads coming in and is burnt out before even entering the door. For resources and equipment as said above the crews have too many apparatus and not enough personnel.
Let’s start off by saying: the department has strong potential. But with the chief also being the owner (private, 501(c)3), it’s never going to change.
There is more focus on getting equipment for the Philippines than there is for the guys there at the department.
Promotions seem to be based strictly off tenure, and not experience or ability. The Chief himself, is stuck in 1980, and doesn’t have the experience or knowledge to be a chief. I am not one of them, but there are multiple individuals at that department that would make awesome officers. But for one reason or another, the chief has an excuse. But, even if they were to get promoted, it wouldn’t make a difference. Because the chief there won’t allow it.
The chief burns every bridge possible, and is known for the issues he has with chiefs of other departments. Which makes growth difficult, if not impossible. The department ends up being the laughing stock of the area, largely in part to this. The department hardly gets mutual aide because of the drama caused by the chief. Even though there are some kick ass FFs there, they don’t get a chance to show it and do work.
The chief is on the verge of losing every good FF that comes out of there, due to underpaying, understaffing, and just the BS from higher ups.
Now, he is focusing on sending people to Eloy’s fire academy, which is another issue in itself. Then once they finish, placing them on shift immediately to fill holes. No real experience. No real training. It’s a safety concern and he doesn’t care.
The department wants to take away the little bit of OT you can get, and replace it with stipends. “Here, take this extra shift for $240 for 24 hours instead of OT pay”
This department needs to be a district with outside influence and a new command structure. Or, to be disbanded and started from scratch by someone else. I wish the best for the department and the boys. But it’s a loss at this point, I fear.