RE: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso, Tx.

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13, rick.moore@... said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

I am not surprised.

Rick

Sent via Blackberry

________________________________

From: texasems-l texasems-l >

To: texasems-l texasems-l >

Sent: Thu Jul 29 19:05:36 2010

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13,

rick.moore@... said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

I am not surprised.

Rick

Sent via Blackberry

________________________________

From: texasems-l texasems-l >

To: texasems-l texasems-l >

Sent: Thu Jul 29 19:05:36 2010

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13,

rick.moore@... said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

I am not surprised.

Rick

Sent via Blackberry

________________________________

From: texasems-l texasems-l >

To: texasems-l texasems-l >

Sent: Thu Jul 29 19:05:36 2010

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13,

rick.moore@... said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 19:06, rick.moore@... said:

> I am not surprised.

You don't think that, given the same budget and support, private industry could

do every bit as good a job as the public sector? If this were true, why is it

that everyone wants to go to PRIVATE hospitals instead of the county hospital?

Why is it that I choose to go to a PRIVATE doctor instead of the VA?

Rob

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 19:06, rick.moore@... said:

> I am not surprised.

You don't think that, given the same budget and support, private industry could

do every bit as good a job as the public sector? If this were true, why is it

that everyone wants to go to PRIVATE hospitals instead of the county hospital?

Why is it that I choose to go to a PRIVATE doctor instead of the VA?

Rob

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 19:06, rick.moore@... said:

> I am not surprised.

You don't think that, given the same budget and support, private industry could

do every bit as good a job as the public sector? If this were true, why is it

that everyone wants to go to PRIVATE hospitals instead of the county hospital?

Why is it that I choose to go to a PRIVATE doctor instead of the VA?

Rob

[Guest guest]

I'd like to request a small change in your statement below. " Maybe if more

EMS... " . I truly don't believe that all services do that.

Toni

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El

Paso, Tx.

and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA, NMA,

their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's not

like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

ck

In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

rob.davis@... writes:

Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men when you

go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

[Guest guest]

I'd like to request a small change in your statement below. " Maybe if more

EMS... " . I truly don't believe that all services do that.

Toni

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El

Paso, Tx.

and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA, NMA,

their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's not

like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

ck

In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

rob.davis@... writes:

Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men when you

go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

[Guest guest]

I'd like to request a small change in your statement below. " Maybe if more

EMS... " . I truly don't believe that all services do that.

Toni

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El

Paso, Tx.

and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA, NMA,

their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's not

like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

ck

In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

rob.davis@... writes:

Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men when you

go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 19:16, krin135@... said:

> actually, I know of a number of medium sized cities (25K to 90K population)

> which will NOT allow their FD or PD to provide lock out services UNLESS

> there is life threat (extremes of weather, running car) and an uncooperative

> child or elder locked in. Seems like there have been a number of lawsuits

> over the years where the friendly FD ny trying to 'do a service' got the

> city sued because of a broken window or power lock.

Exactly. If it's an emergency, you don't have time for picking a lock. If it's

not an emergency, you have no business messing with it. At least, that's the

excuse all these fire departments use for not running non-emergency transfers.

Double standard?

> that being said, dost thou remember how the fire departments became

> practical here in America?

Remember? I'm still waiting for it to happen!

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 19:16, krin135@... said:

> actually, I know of a number of medium sized cities (25K to 90K population)

> which will NOT allow their FD or PD to provide lock out services UNLESS

> there is life threat (extremes of weather, running car) and an uncooperative

> child or elder locked in. Seems like there have been a number of lawsuits

> over the years where the friendly FD ny trying to 'do a service' got the

> city sued because of a broken window or power lock.

Exactly. If it's an emergency, you don't have time for picking a lock. If it's

not an emergency, you have no business messing with it. At least, that's the

excuse all these fire departments use for not running non-emergency transfers.

Double standard?

> that being said, dost thou remember how the fire departments became

> practical here in America?

Remember? I'm still waiting for it to happen!

[Guest guest]

Doc Krin does have a point.

In many NJ towns PD's are forbidden to jump a car due to one lawsuit

from the late 1980's.

Other cities will let cops jump start but not lock jock for a similar

reason.

The other day I read where some folks up in NH or maybe ME were

complianing to City Council when at 2300 or so a Reverse 9-1-1 System

was activated for a missing Autistic teen! They were BOTHERED at night.

I grew up in a small town in NJ back in the " Day " at midnight 95% of

the town would have been looking for that kid.

America is a shadow of its firmer self and thank God the Greatest

Generation is dying off not to see what we've become.

Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

Please excuse any typos.

(Cell)

LNMolino@...

> oh, my...the hyperbole!

>

> actually, I know of ado number of medium sized cities (25K to 90K

> population)

> which will NOT allow their FD or PD to provide lock out services

> UNLESS

> there is life threat (extremes of weather, running car) and an

> uncooperative

> child or elder locked in. Seems like there have been a number of

> lawsuits

> over the years where the friendly FD ny trying to 'do a

> service' got the

> city sued because of a broken window or power lock.

>

> Monroe/West Monroe and Lake , Louisiana both come to mind.

>

> that being said, dost thou remember how the fire departments became

> practical here in America?

>

> ck

>

>

> In a message dated 7/29/2010 18:13:54 Central Daylight Time,

> rick.moore@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the

> poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living,

> law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private

> enterprise continues to make money and all EMS should probably be

> provided by AMR

> and Acadian. That is one of the problems with our society today,

> too few

> people believe in and provide public service.

> Keep running those lock out calls Dick there are still some of us

> that

> appreciate and support what you do.

> Rick

> Sent via Blackberry

>

> ________________________________

> From: _texasems-l _ (mailto:texasems-l )

> _texasems-l _ (mailto:texasems-l ) >

> To: _texasems-l _ (mailto:texasems-l )

> _texasems-l _ (mailto:texasems-l ) >

> Sent: Thu Jul 29 17:14:55 2010

> Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to

> Calls in El

> Paso, Tx.

>

>

>

> and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with

> AAA, NMA,

> their auto insurance company or even their cell phone

> provider....it's not

> like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

>

> ck

>

>

> In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

> _rob.davis@..._ (mailto:rob.davis@...)

> writes:

>

> Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you

> are

> taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men

> when

> you

> go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Here in Pima County, AZ, where I live, Rural/Metro is my fire and EMS provider

since I live outside of Tucson, and I pay them $450 a year for their services,

which include unlocks and snake removal. Rattler removal is a big part of their

daily routine. All the medics bid on that.

If I chose not to pay the assessment, they wouldn't come and get the little

slinkies for me, and they wouldn't do unlocks. They would respond for fahrs and

medical emergencies, but I would get a big bill for services.

If I lived in Tucson, Tucson fire only removes snakes from INSIDE your house or

when it's barring your entry by coiling in front of your front door. However, I

would only pay taxes, not an assessment. They only do unlocks if there's kid or

pet in the car.

Come to think of it, heck, I do pay county taxes and STILL have to pay R/M, and

I've only had one rattler this year. I'm paying a pretty high fee to have that

rattler removed and relocated. But they have the finest ambulances with 500,000

miles on them that you can find at the auction.

GG

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 16:18, " Dick " dsmith@...> said:

>

> If you don't think your citizens appreciate a quick unlock and hold you

> in high regard for it, you haven't had the opportunity to help someone

> who finds themselves in trouble. It's why our citizens fund us.

I am positive that they appreciate it. But no, it is not why they fund you.

It's something you just do anyhow, for the reason you just mentioned, to justify

your funding. Politics. What other private industry do you think the fire

departments ought to compete with in order to schmooze the taxpayers? Maybe you

should deliver the mail too? How about you sell beer and cigarettes out of the

fire station? After all, 7-11 doesn't need that money. Can I call you to flush

out my septic tank for me? Hell, you might as well do something with all that

water you lug around for nothing. I remember when the fire departments were

whining and moaning about having to sell trash bags from the stations because it

wasn't their job and it was demeaning. But I guess if you get to ride to some

pretty lady's rescue, because she locked her keys in her car or house, that's

somehow less demeaning.

Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are taking

money out of the pockets of hard working small business men when you go around

playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

Rob

[Guest guest]

Here in Pima County, AZ, where I live, Rural/Metro is my fire and EMS provider

since I live outside of Tucson, and I pay them $450 a year for their services,

which include unlocks and snake removal. Rattler removal is a big part of their

daily routine. All the medics bid on that.

If I chose not to pay the assessment, they wouldn't come and get the little

slinkies for me, and they wouldn't do unlocks. They would respond for fahrs and

medical emergencies, but I would get a big bill for services.

If I lived in Tucson, Tucson fire only removes snakes from INSIDE your house or

when it's barring your entry by coiling in front of your front door. However, I

would only pay taxes, not an assessment. They only do unlocks if there's kid or

pet in the car.

Come to think of it, heck, I do pay county taxes and STILL have to pay R/M, and

I've only had one rattler this year. I'm paying a pretty high fee to have that

rattler removed and relocated. But they have the finest ambulances with 500,000

miles on them that you can find at the auction.

GG

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 16:18, " Dick " dsmith@...> said:

>

> If you don't think your citizens appreciate a quick unlock and hold you

> in high regard for it, you haven't had the opportunity to help someone

> who finds themselves in trouble. It's why our citizens fund us.

I am positive that they appreciate it. But no, it is not why they fund you.

It's something you just do anyhow, for the reason you just mentioned, to justify

your funding. Politics. What other private industry do you think the fire

departments ought to compete with in order to schmooze the taxpayers? Maybe you

should deliver the mail too? How about you sell beer and cigarettes out of the

fire station? After all, 7-11 doesn't need that money. Can I call you to flush

out my septic tank for me? Hell, you might as well do something with all that

water you lug around for nothing. I remember when the fire departments were

whining and moaning about having to sell trash bags from the stations because it

wasn't their job and it was demeaning. But I guess if you get to ride to some

pretty lady's rescue, because she locked her keys in her car or house, that's

somehow less demeaning.

Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are taking

money out of the pockets of hard working small business men when you go around

playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

Rob

[Guest guest]

Rob: Since you have been an employee of a large private EMS firm I am surprised

you would take this position. I worked in one of the same systems you did, and

considering my experience and those of others I know, I don’t share your

viewpoint. Do you feel that you received fair and adequate compensation,

benefits, equipment and working conditions while working for a large private

firm?

It is easy to make generalizations, and you are certainly entitled to your

stance. Surely you can entertain that not every municipal EMS agency is a

subpar provider. In fact, many of the public providers came from private. We are

one in the same.

I think you just love to stir the pot and agitate the list

Steve

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf

Of rob.davis@...

Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 7:06 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13, rick.moore@...

said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

Rob: Since you have been an employee of a large private EMS firm I am surprised

you would take this position. I worked in one of the same systems you did, and

considering my experience and those of others I know, I don’t share your

viewpoint. Do you feel that you received fair and adequate compensation,

benefits, equipment and working conditions while working for a large private

firm?

It is easy to make generalizations, and you are certainly entitled to your

stance. Surely you can entertain that not every municipal EMS agency is a

subpar provider. In fact, many of the public providers came from private. We are

one in the same.

I think you just love to stir the pot and agitate the list

Steve

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf

Of rob.davis@...

Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 7:06 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 18:13, rick.moore@...

said:

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor hard

> working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a living, law

> enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that private enterprise

> continues to make money and all EMS should probably be provided by AMR and

> Acadian.

I fail to see the downside in that scenario.

[Guest guest]

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 20:18, " Lemming, Steve " slemming@...>

said:

> Rob: Since you have been an employee of a large private EMS firm I am

surprised

> you would take this position. I worked in one of the same systems you did, and

> considering my experience and those of others I know, I don’t share your

> viewpoint. Do you feel that you received fair and adequate compensation,

benefits,

> equipment and working conditions while working for a large private firm?

Nope. I sure don't. But again, I said that, given the same budget and support,

that private industry COULD do the job just as well. Let's remember that, the

reason that FW and Arlington employ private contractors is because it saves them

money, which negates the equal budget clause. I am talking potential, not the

current state of the profession. And future potential is where we should be

focused, not on the way we've always done things, which fails miserably.

Do you feel that the service provided by the TSA guys at the airport gates is

substantially safer than what private security provided before them? I sure

don't.

Rob

[Guest guest]

That's a straw man argument, Rick and you know it. You know that wasn't

what Rob was advocating.

While he delivered his opinion with his customary tact and charm (or

lack thereof), he's right. Unlocking cars is not the fire department's

job. This is not the public service tax dollars were intended for. The

only reason the cops or firefighters ought to be using their slim jim is

if the call includes the phrase " baby locked inside. "

>

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor

> hard working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a

> living, law enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that

> private enterprise continues to make money and all EMS should probably

> be provided by AMR and Acadian. That is one of the problems with our

> society today, too few people believe in and provide public service.

> Keep running those lock out calls Dick there are still some of us that

> appreciate and support what you do.

> Rick

> Sent via Blackberry

>

> ________________________________

> From: texasems-l

> texasems-l >

> To: texasems-l

> texasems-l >

> Sent: Thu Jul 29 17:14:55 2010

> Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls

> in El Paso, Tx.

>

>

>

> and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA,

> NMA,

> their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's

> not

> like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

>

> ck

>

>

> In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

> rob.davis@...

>

> writes:

>

> Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

> taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men

> when you

> go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

>

>

[Guest guest]

That's a straw man argument, Rick and you know it. You know that wasn't

what Rob was advocating.

While he delivered his opinion with his customary tact and charm (or

lack thereof), he's right. Unlocking cars is not the fire department's

job. This is not the public service tax dollars were intended for. The

only reason the cops or firefighters ought to be using their slim jim is

if the call includes the phrase " baby locked inside. "

>

> Using this logic municipal fire departments should go away so the poor

> hard working small business men who own Rural Metro can eek out a

> living, law enforcement should be replaced by Wackenhut to insure that

> private enterprise continues to make money and all EMS should probably

> be provided by AMR and Acadian. That is one of the problems with our

> society today, too few people believe in and provide public service.

> Keep running those lock out calls Dick there are still some of us that

> appreciate and support what you do.

> Rick

> Sent via Blackberry

>

> ________________________________

> From: texasems-l

> texasems-l >

> To: texasems-l

> texasems-l >

> Sent: Thu Jul 29 17:14:55 2010

> Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls

> in El Paso, Tx.

>

>

>

> and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA,

> NMA,

> their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's

> not

> like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

>

> ck

>

>

> In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

> rob.davis@...

>

> writes:

>

> Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

> taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men

> when you

> go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

>

>

[Guest guest]

“wasting a lot of dollars if you are responding fire apparatus to a " simple

lockout " .â€

I retired in 2002 but I still remember a few budget numbers.

Annual budget apprx. $1,000,000 for the department - 16 sworn personnel (1

chief and 5 personnel per shift)l, 1 secretary and some great reserves/part-time

personnel running 1 quint and 1 MICU.

Personnel costs, 90% of your budget, would remain the same.

Other fixed cost, utilities, insurance, building and apparatus maintenance,

training, etc. would remain the same.

Fuel cost 2% or $20,000.

Cutting out the non-emergency stuff might save 5% on fuel or $1000 annually.

The stories those citizens tell others about the great service they received

from the fire department – Priceless.

And let me tell you, citizens do talk about such things. These are the same

people that came to the city council meetings when they discussed taking EMS

from the fire department to go private to save money and said not only no, but

we will vote the council out if they tried to go private EMS. Don’t mess with

the firemen was the message.

It is not always about the dollars. Good service sells itself and most citizens

are willing to pay for it if you are willing to provide it.

Randy E. , R.N., L.P.

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On Behalf

Of rob.davis@...

Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 2:48 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls in El Paso,

Tx.

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 11:17, " Dick " dsmith@...

> said:

> We send the ambulance and truck to everything except a simple lockout. Even

then,

> we want to know if anyone is locked in the car or house. If so, they both go.

>

> We spend a lot of money on equipment, personnel and expenses. A little

> diesel and usage is small potatoes by comparison. Let's not waste (or

> render ineffective) dollars to save pennies.

Sounds like you are already wasting a lot of dollars if you are responding fire

apparatus to a " simple lockout " . That's what locksmiths and AAA are for. Maybe

the locksmiths should start self-dispatching themselves to every fire call, just

in case they're needed.

Rob

[Guest guest]

In fact most career departments will tell you 80 to 90 % of a given

budget is in salaries and benifits. Slightly less in combination

departments.

If you look at the links I provided and read some of that stuff even

the stuff that's 100% fire oriented could be changed up to an EMS only

operation.

A firefighter that takes 5 minutes to put a kids bike chain back on in

the Wal-mart parking lot does more good than a lot of things done by

some agencies in Government service.

Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET

FF/NREMT/FSI/EMSI

Typed by my fingers on my iPhone.

Please excuse any typos.

(Cell)

LNMolino@...

On Jul 29, 2010, at 21:14, " Randy E. "

r.e.powell@...> wrote:

> “wasting a lot of dollars if you are responding fire apparatus to a

> " simple lockout " .â€

>

>

>

> I retired in 2002 but I still remember a few budget numbers.

>

>

>

> Annual budget apprx. $1,000,000 for the department - 16 sworn

> personnel (1 chief and 5 personnel per shift)l, 1 secretary and some

> great reserves/part-time personnel running 1 quint and 1 MICU.

>

> Personnel costs, 90% of your budget, would remain the same.

>

> Other fixed cost, utilities, insurance, building and apparatus

> maintenance, training, etc. would remain the same.

>

> Fuel cost 2% or $20,000.

>

> Cutting out the non-emergency stuff might save 5% on fuel or $1000

> annually.

>

>

>

> The stories those citizens tell others about the great service they

> received from the fire department – Priceless.

>

> And let me tell you, citizens do talk about such things. These are

> the same people that came to the city council meetings when they

> discussed taking EMS from the fire department to go private to save

> money and said not only no, but we will vote the council out if they

> tried to go private EMS. Don’t mess with the firemen was the messag

> e.

>

>

>

> It is not always about the dollars. Good service sells itself and

> most citizens are willing to pay for it if you are willing to

> provide it.

>

>

>

> Randy E. , R.N., L.P.

>

>

>

> From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ]

> On Behalf Of rob.davis@...

> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 2:48 PM

> To: texasems-l

> Subject: Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls

> in El Paso, Tx.

>

>

>

>

>

> On Thursday, July 29, 2010 11:17, " Dick "

> dsmith@... > said:

>

>> We send the ambulance and truck to everything except a simple

>> lockout. Even then,

>> we want to know if anyone is locked in the car or house. If so,

>> they both go.

>>

>> We spend a lot of money on equipment, personnel and expenses. A

>> little

>> diesel and usage is small potatoes by comparison. Let's not waste (or

>> render ineffective) dollars to save pennies.

>

> Sounds like you are already wasting a lot of dollars if you are

> responding fire apparatus to a " simple lockout " . That's what

> locksmiths and AAA are for. Maybe the locksmiths should start self-

> dispatching themselves to every fire call, just in case they're

> needed.

>

> Rob

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Or, like with R/M here, they sell the service as a part of their " package. " For

$450 a year subscription payment to them, I am not shy about calling them for an

unlock or to remove Sneaky-snake from my back yard. BTW, those are not priority

calls.

If I were not paying through the nose for their services, I would never call 911

for a snake in the yard or an unlock unless the snake had me pinned against the

wall and the dog was roasting in the car. But then I would never call 911 for

anything short of an MI or CVA or major trauma that rendered me unable to get

into my car and drive to the ER.

GG

Re: Re: Fewer Firefighters to Respond to Calls

> in El Paso, Tx.

>

>

>

> and since many if not most drivers have a 'lock out' policy with AAA,

> NMA,

> their auto insurance company or even their cell phone provider....it's

> not

> like your constituents are out of a lot of money....

>

> ck

>

>

> In a message dated 7/29/2010 16:56:50 Central Daylight Time,

> rob.davis@...

>

;

> writes:

>

> Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you are

> taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men

> when you

> go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, it is our job. And responding to people in distress is what we

do. It's not politics, it's service. Do you really think the elderly

need to call an electrician to change the battery in their smoke

detector? Who do you call when the water is coming up to your house

because the runoff water drains are plugged? And to the person who

needs to leave for work and has a critical meeting and now finds his

keys locked in his car, it is an emergency! It's all about service and

exactly what the citizens are funding.

Dick

>

> On Thursday, July 29, 2010 16:18, " Dick " dsmith@...

> > said:

>

> >

> > If you don't think your citizens appreciate a quick unlock and hold you

> > in high regard for it, you haven't had the opportunity to help someone

> > who finds themselves in trouble. It's why our citizens fund us.

>

> I am positive that they appreciate it. But no, it is not why they fund

> you. It's something you just do anyhow, for the reason you just

> mentioned, to justify your funding. Politics. What other private

> industry do you think the fire departments ought to compete with in

> order to schmooze the taxpayers? Maybe you should deliver the mail

> too? How about you sell beer and cigarettes out of the fire station?

> After all, 7-11 doesn't need that money. Can I call you to flush out

> my septic tank for me? Hell, you might as well do something with all

> that water you lug around for nothing. I remember when the fire

> departments were whining and moaning about having to sell trash bags

> from the stations because it wasn't their job and it was demeaning.

> But I guess if you get to ride to some pretty lady's rescue, because

> she locked her keys in her car or house, that's somehow less demeaning.

>

> Just because you can do something does not mean you should. And you

> are taking money out of the pockets of hard working small business men

> when you go around playing the hero with your slim jim. It's not your job.

>

> Rob

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

yep...just like the *patient* is able to decide what is an emergency, up

until the time comes for them to pay the bill for the ED....

most of the stuff we are discussing should be properly billed by the

department under " Public Relations. "

ck

In a message dated 7/29/2010 22:50:10 Central Daylight Time,

dsmith@... writes:

Yes, it is our job. And responding to people in distress is what we

do. It's not politics, it's service. Do you really think the elderly

need to call an electrician to change the battery in their smoke

detector? Who do you call when the water is coming up to your house

because the runoff water drains are plugged? And to the person who

needs to leave for work and has a critical meeting and now finds his

keys locked in his car, it is an emergency! It's all about service and

exactly what the citizens are funding.

Dick