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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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LI Fire Departments
I was driving today and saw a sign that was asking for volunteers...
And it occurred to me .....WHY is it that our LI fireman aren't paid?
And do you think it is right that they aren't?
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Posted 2/26/06 7:08 PM  |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
I for one think that people have the balls to ask for anyone to do anything free...
Especially a service like this one.
And with the price of living going up and up here...
How does anyone have anytime to "volunteer" ?
I think that we are going to be seeing less and less people being able to volunteer.
I think they shold be paid for their services
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:11 PM |
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Kate
*****
Member since 5/05 7557 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: LI Fire Departments
I think that volunteer firemen get other benefits, such as they do not have to pay property taxes.
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:16 PM |
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nancygrace
I'm 2!
Member since 9/05 6616 total posts
Name:
Live*Love*Laugh
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by Redhead
I for one think that people have the balls to ask for anyone to do anything free...
Especially a service like this one.
And with the price of living going up and up here...
How does anyone have anytime to "volunteer" ?
I think that we are going to be seeing less and less people being able to volunteer.
I think they shold be paid for their services
i honestly think the reason the Fire men are not paid on LI is beacuse the is very low activity compared to the city. There would be no fair way to judge how much a person would get paid out here. the city is a whole and LI is serperated into towns. TAXes would really go through the roof if we had to pay for firemen.
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:16 PM |
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DebG
Pick a cause & stand up for it
Member since 5/05 18602 total posts
Name:
The cure IS worse!
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Re: LI Fire Departments
My father did volunteer ambulance for years.
He got no benefits from it.
ALso, volunteers are required to put in at least 25 hours per month.
I often questioned my father on why he would do this (especially when he would put a rediculous amount of hours in at the end of the month to his his hours quota) but he simply loved it and said he couldn't imagine his life without it. He said that he had the biggest reward ever by doing it and no amount of money, benefits or gifts could ever repay him as much as saving lives.
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:18 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by DebG
My father did volunteer ambulance for years.
He got no benefits from it.
ALso, volunteers are required to put in at least 25 hours per month.
I often questioned my father on why he would do this (especially when he would put a rediculous amount of hours in at the end of the month to his his hours quota) but he simply loved it and said he couldn't imagine his life without it. He said that he had the biggest reward ever by doing it and no amount of money, benefits or gifts could ever repay him as much as saving lives.
oh i understand why people do it...
And EX loved to do it.
I just think it is potentially a dangerous job. Even if the activity is on the low side..
And i think they deserve to get paid for it
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:34 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: LI Fire Departments
My cousin is a NYC firefighter. He was a suffolk county cop frist, his pay tripled when he got this job. The Fire dept on the island that offered him a job was less then the cops pay. Its kinda sad...
When I was 22 the house me, my mom and sister rented burned down. It went on fire at 5 am on a Monday morning. The fire station (nesconset) was 2 blocks away and yet it was fully volunteered . It took 18 minutes for the first engine to get there. Thats way way too long.
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:35 PM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Ok, I volunteered as well as the rest of my family from my grandfather, father, brother and uncle.
You do have to pay property taxes however I think there is a little bit of "savings" if you want to call it that.
Low activity? Most independent fire department/ambulance companies run over 200 calls a month. Of course, some are ridiculous.
I have been woken up at all hours of the night for such ridiculous things..the best being a yeast infection..hello??!?!?!?!
It wouldn't be bad volunteering, however there is a lot of training and a lot of time and dedication involved.
I personally am not a member now since I moved to Florida, but think they do not get the respect they need.
Newsday/News12 is always trying to put them down to make them seem like they are this horrible enterprise.
Big deal if they enjoy themselves every now and then with a dinner for function. They deserve it. Like mentioned, they do not get paid and the benefits are slim to none.
It is all personal satisfaction.
(Sorry this is a very touchy subject as I can't stand how the media makes out the LIFDs)
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:35 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Jenn - you know I could write a book on my feelings on this! MY DH is a volunteer and the Captain of the Resume Company for our fire department. Not that many calls? Maybe not fire calls on a daily basis, but COUNTLESS rescue calls all hours of the day and night.
There are times I never see my husband.
Like today - 4 alarm fire in my town, 15 fire departments responded - he and the other 200 firefighters who were there were outside in the 20 degree whether for 6-8 hours. They were treating firefighters for hypothermia.
The amount of blood, sweat, and tears and especially HOURS he gives the fire department is unbelievable. They get NOTHING in return. No benefits, NOTHING.
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| Posted 2/26/06 7:51 PM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: LI Fire Departments
My DH is a volunteer Fireman on LI, and he is happy to volunteer his time and service's because he knows hes helping other people and to get paid for it would be great, but for my DH this is his way of giving back to our community. The volunteer fire departments started back over 100 years ago and has been tradition ever since. The cost of a paid department would be extremely enoromous on LI.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:06 PM |
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TheInfamousOTG
Waiting for Lil' M....
Member since 5/05 3468 total posts
Name:
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by mrswask
Jenn - you know I could write a book on my feelings on this! MY DH is a volunteer and the Captain of the Resume Company for our fire department. Not that many calls? Maybe not fire calls on a daily basis, but COUNTLESS rescue calls all hours of the day and night.
There are times I never see my husband.
Like today - 4 alarm fire in my town, 15 fire departments responded - he and the other 200 firefighters who were there were outside in the 20 degree whether for 6-8 hours. They were treating firefighters for hypothermia.
The amount of blood, sweat, and tears and especially HOURS he gives the fire department is unbelievable. They get NOTHING in return. No benefits, NOTHING.
Thats why I gave it up! People have no Idea how much time we put in. They have this wacky Idea that we get something out of it. We rush like crazy to an alarm, and risk our lives for nothing. Believe me when I tell you.... I don't miss it one bit! In 3 more years my Dad will have 50 years in the fire department. All he'll get out of it is a nice pat on the back.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:06 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by TheInfamousOTG
Posted by mrswask
Jenn - you know I could write a book on my feelings on this! MY DH is a volunteer and the Captain of the Resume Company for our fire department. Not that many calls? Maybe not fire calls on a daily basis, but COUNTLESS rescue calls all hours of the day and night.
There are times I never see my husband.
Like today - 4 alarm fire in my town, 15 fire departments responded - he and the other 200 firefighters who were there were outside in the 20 degree whether for 6-8 hours. They were treating firefighters for hypothermia.
The amount of blood, sweat, and tears and especially HOURS he gives the fire department is unbelievable. They get NOTHING in return. No benefits, NOTHING.
Thats why I gave it up! People have no Idea how much time we put in. They have this wacky Idea that we get something out of it. We rush like crazy to an alarm, and risk our lives for nothing. Believe me when I tell you.... I don't miss it one bit! In 3 more years my Dad will have 50 years in the fire department. All he'll get out of it is a nice pat on the back.
Yeah - to get a thank you once in a while would be nice - the department will sometimes receive a letter and a donation, but not often. Ready for this? Two winters ago, there was a carbon monoxide call in the middle of the night. They had to take the whole family to the hospital. This house is right across the street from us - I kid you not - DIRECTLY across the street. They know full well that my husband was there and saved their lives and you think they could ever tell him thank you????
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:09 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by meltodd604
My DH is a volunteer Fireman on LI, and he is happy to volunteer his time and service's because he knows hes helping other people and to get paid for it would be great, but for my DH this is his way of giving back to our community. The volunteer fire departments started back over 100 years ago and has been tradition ever since. The cost of a paid department would be extremely enoromous on LI.
I am sure it would cost more. And our taxes would be through the roof...But that isn't really the point
Say your DH hurts himself really bad on one of those calls.....THEN WHAT?
What kind of compensation do they get?
BIG FAT NOTHING....
And who could possibly suffer...the FAMILY.
I consider it a wonderful thing that some do, sure giving to the community. But what does that community give back if something was to happen to those volunteers?
I personally would never. Nor would i want my DH doing it.
Message edited 2/26/2006 8:11:59 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:09 PM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by meltodd604
My DH is a volunteer Fireman on LI, and he is happy to volunteer his time and service's because he knows hes helping other people and to get paid for it would be great, but for my DH this is his way of giving back to our community. The volunteer fire departments started back over 100 years ago and has been tradition ever since. The cost of a paid department would be extremely enoromous on LI.
well said. many thanks to your husband and all those that devote their time helping others and the community.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:11 PM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by Redhead
Posted by meltodd604
My DH is a volunteer Fireman on LI, and he is happy to volunteer his time and service's because he knows hes helping other people and to get paid for it would be great, but for my DH this is his way of giving back to our community. The volunteer fire departments started back over 100 years ago and has been tradition ever since. The cost of a paid department would be extremely enoromous on LI.
I am sure it would cost more. And our taxes would be through the roof...But that isn't really the point
Say your DH hurts himself really bad on one of those calls.....THEN WHAT?
What kind of compensation do they get?
BIG FAT NOTHING....
And who could possibly suffer...the FAMILY.
I consider it a wonderful thing that some do, sure giving to the community. But what does that community give back if something was to happen to those volunteers?
I personally would never. Nor would i want my DH doing it.
My DH has been in the fire dept for 11 years, his father and his grandfather are in the dept also.
They do have coverage, if they get hurt they are covered by workmans comp and the department also has life insurance policies for them. Also they get a pension of approx $600 when they are 62 and have done 20 years of service.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:18 PM |
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Redhead
You Live, You Learn
Member since 5/05 31871 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
wow i didn't know that....
well at least they get something for what they do...
I still think they should be paid
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:21 PM |
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mrswask
Pookie Love
Member since 5/05 20229 total posts
Name:
Michal
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Re: LI Fire Departments
My husband's dept gives a much lower pension than $600.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:22 PM |
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MelToddJulia
Love my Family!
Member since 7/05 29064 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Re: LI Fire Departments
I agree that they deserve more than what they get. But if all the departments were to go paid then most of the volunteers would not be able to be firefighters anymore. Since they all have regular full time jobs and the need for so many firefighters would decrease. But it would be nice if they received more benefits by being volunteers.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:29 PM |
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emilain
UNREAL!!!!!!!!
Member since 5/05 4457 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: LI Fire Departments
there are currently talks in suffolk county to have paid firemen, they think it will happen in the nexy 5 years.
Message edited 2/26/2006 8:38:20 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/06 8:38 PM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by emilain
there are currently talks in suffolk county to have paid firemen, they think it will happen in the nexy 5 years.
if that happens. It will be even more expensive to live on Long Island.
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| Posted 2/27/06 7:21 AM |
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DjPiLL
Member since 5/05 3664 total posts
Name:
Richard
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Re: LI Fire Departments
This makes me wonder how CRAPPY the Long Island governments are run.
Think about it. If NYC pays its firefighters from NYC tax money. Sales tax is lower in NYC. Property tax is lower in NYC.
How come Long Island can't pay its firefighters from its taxes collected when they get SIGNIFICANTLY more!
Oh I know why! Because they are stuck paying Nassau and Suffolk cops 3x the pay that the NYC cops get when they first start out!
Thats why they need to do. Cut these salaries that frankly are just too large for cops starting out in Long Island. Give some of that money to the firefighters.
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| Posted 2/27/06 9:57 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by DjPiLL
This makes me wonder how CRAPPY the Long Island governments are run.
Think about it. If NYC pays its firefighters from NYC tax money. Sales tax is lower in NYC. Property tax is lower in NYC.
How come Long Island can't pay its firefighters from its taxes collected when they get SIGNIFICANTLY more!
Oh I know why! Because they are stuck paying Nassau and Suffolk cops 3x the pay that the NYC cops get when they first start out!
Thats why they need to do. Cut these salaries that frankly are just too large for cops starting out in Long Island. Give some of that money to the firefighters.
Would be nice...But see my post. My cousin was a suffolk cop...he persused the NYC fire department to make more money...
so even though the cops get paid better, the lure was there to make more in NYC...
Not neccesarily the best solution...
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| Posted 2/27/06 10:05 AM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: LI Fire Departments
Posted by DjPiLL
This makes me wonder how CRAPPY the Long Island governments are run.
Think about it. If NYC pays its firefighters from NYC tax money. Sales tax is lower in NYC. Property tax is lower in NYC.
How come Long Island can't pay its firefighters from its taxes collected when they get SIGNIFICANTLY more!
Oh I know why! Because they are stuck paying Nassau and Suffolk cops 3x the pay that the NYC cops get when they first start out!
Thats why they need to do. Cut these salaries that frankly are just too large for cops starting out in Long Island. Give some of that money to the firefighters.
There's also a NYCity withholding tax that helps fund NYCity resources.
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| Posted 2/27/06 10:23 AM |
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MrsJ
I love my Katie Bug
Member since 5/05 11357 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: LI Fire Departments
I have volunteers in my family...I'm all for them getting paid - but honestly, I dont really need my taxes going up anymore!!!
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| Posted 2/27/06 11:48 AM |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: LI Fire Departments
I don't think they Necessarily have to get paid. I know my dad isn't doing it for compensation. But I just wish the media would stop making them look like they are just out to scam everyone.
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| Posted 2/27/06 11:50 AM |
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