Fairfax County (VA) Truck Staffing Video

[sgtsmash8158]

Ya know people... It kills me that you all as "Vollies" are pulling this crap. As a FIREFIGHTER (both "volunteer", as well as a paid firefighter), I am gonna tell it to you this way. You wonder why some of the "Career" firefighters look down on the "Vollies"? Because of ignorant comments and lack of knowledge of the facts like those below. I am a NC firefighter of 24 years and have many friends up there. Get educated on the history and makeup of FCFD before you pass judgement on the poster.

[wolfboy001]

Do you honestly want more firefighters for safety or is this just another play for Union power? If you truly cared about safety you'd allow volunteers to supplement on your ladder trucks. ...just saying...

[Kobersteen]

100% safety. Some volunteers do occasionally come in to upstaff ladder trucks with 4, but not often and not reliably. As a matter of fact, the department's Volunteer Utilization Policy states that the Department asks that volunteers upstaff ladder trucks before upstaffing other front line units or putting their own Engines or Ambulances in service. This seldom takes place.

Not trying to turn this into a volunteer vs. paid issue at all, just bringing the facts.

[dchrbac51]

sounds like they don't like volunteers

[Kobersteen]

Where do you get that idea?

[dchrbac51]

Read your own comments. How does getting paid have anything to do with the abiltiy of the fire fighter? My local fire dept. in VA is 100% vol. They are some of the best fire fighters i've seen!!!

[Kobersteen]

I have looked back at my comments and do not see where anyone but you have brought up the paid vs. volunteer issue.

[firedoc410]

I think it is because some people see IAFF and immediately think anti-volunteer. It is unfortunate that things are this way, as many union members are true team players and coexist peacefully...especially in Fairfax where the volunteers ask only for a chance to play on the team, not replace it. But like any large department, there are Union hardliners who would rather have no volunteers than safer truck staffing. ...unfortunate, but true.

[lazecowproductions]

at 2:10 that house was my driends they saved him they did an amazing job putting it out

[lazecowproductions]

RalphFDNY4life ( dude shut up they saved my friend from dying in a huge blaze so be quite

[Kobersteen]

I think Ralph was commenting that he can't believe that we only work with three on a truck. I don't read anything critical in what he said.

[johnomon5353]

fairfax county firefighters are the best fire fighters in the world. i have witnessed them in action many of times

[RalphFDNY4life]

Three man truck companies? What the heck are they doing to you guys! You need at least 4 to 6 guys on a truck for a all hands job........ man oh man!!!

[SDFD101]

Say hi to my friend Tommy Sittinger! he is a probie now!!!! congrats tommy!

[DowntownOne]

Its also worth noting that the Department of Defense fire service world wide has a minimum staffing for any company of four firefighters, including ladder companies. The US Government recognizes that it needs to protect its soldiers and military bases with a minimum of four firefighters per company. Why are the same standards not applied to municipal/civilian fire protection?

Best of Luck Brothers and stay safe.

[Kobersteen]

Thanks Downtown. We have some very tough budget years to come. It is still one of the top priorities though!

[MixNutzFireCapt]

Hey, that is a good point. I see this in many department here in Southern California. The smaller departments seem to be 3 man rigs. I do not get the thought process on this. They have 3 man companies and blame it on budget. They do make sure they have a Deputy Chief in charge of counting pencils and paper clips though! That is more important than a 4th guy on the rig i guess! lol

[JustPlaneCrazy86]

We have the same issues here in Australia...They say we cannot perform internal operations unless there are 4 or more people on the fireground...yet they keep the minimum manning at 3...and we also do things a little different here also...One fire appliance with 3 crew is supposed to do the work of an engine and a truck co.

Hope it has worked in your favour.

Cheers

FF in Australia

[snyderdu23]

Great job on putting this together

[Kobersteen]

Thanks. I'll keep everyone posted.  Looks like a tough budget year ahead!

[seabes2001]

Excellent learning tool! I strobgly agree with the need for a forth fire fighter. This will aide in the safety and overall operations of the department.

From: Current applicant Detroit, MI

[rcgus1]

What a a bunch of BS

[Kobersteen]

What about safe staffing is BS? I'm interested in hearing your side.

[Kobersteen]

Hearing nothing...

[taskforce51]

What is the status on the staffing? Is it gonna happen or not?

[Kobersteen]

The application for the SAFER Grant was submitted and we all anxiously await the response.

For FY2009, all County agencies will face a difficult budget year, so Local 2068 is working with the Fire & Rescue Department to come up with ideas on how to make safe truck staffing a reality.

Stand by for more!

[KIDHEAT2]

I don't dispute staffing the truck companies with 4 they certainly need it... However on Windsong it comes back to the BC ordering the aerial placed inservice instead of the driver placing ground ladders. Clearly safeguarding our own is far more important than putting up the ladder pipe for show. As usual problems such as that are overlooked and aggressive firefighting operations are targeted. When you have people working inside, getting ladders to the building is the priority.

[Kobersteen]

I am not saying that the fire on Windsong was a ideally run fire. We all have the opportunity to learn from every single call we run.

From the timing I see, it was about 5 min from the time the first Truck arrived to the time that you see the firefighter on Side C in the window. Unfortunately, I do not have the exact timing of the MAYDAY call.

Would the 4th on the Truck have enabled ladders to be thrown while the driver set up the ladder pipe? That is the million dollar question.

[MPD01605]

Quick question, what unit is that behind Daniel Gray when he speaks?

[Kobersteen]

That is Tower 430 from the Merrifield area of Fairfax County.

[scorcher318]

Good luck. Minimum staffing on our ladder trucks is 2. It's a roll of the dice everytime we get a fire and It's going to kill a ff one day. I hope you are successful.

[Kobersteen]

Two is absolutely unbelievable!

Ugh...

[CTFD13]

weve had engines go with 1 or 2 guys. its bad how low the staffing is when your volunteer.

[Kobersteen]

Well, not to single you out, but I have always said that if a volunteer department's staffing is hindering safely delivering the service that the public deserves, it is time to swallow some pride and take a serious look at some skeletal paid staffing.

I have no issue with volunteer systems that get the equipment out reliably, safely and staffed. My issue comes when volunteer "fiefdoms" don't realize when they are doing more damage than good.

Thanks for the comment!

[CTFD13]

We have 3 full time medics at a time, 3 full time inspectors, and a full time chief (both from 8-1530). We can get staffing for the first due engine fine, but its those daytime BS calls that we get barely anyone to show up.

[nelocks]

I am in rookie school in DC. My cousing is in rookie school in Fairfax and this video make me nervious. Stay safe guys.

[z28kindaguy]

Seems like this has been accomplished, right?

[Kobersteen]

Not yet, Z. The Board of Supervisors recognized the need, but did not fund it in the FY2008 budget. We still need Fairfax County residents to contact their supervisor and Chairman Connolly and let them know that you support "Safe staffing on Fairfax County ladder trucks"!

We need to keep the momentum up so that they don't forget about this incredibly important issue.

JK

[delocoop]

im applying for the county right now, i have to do the CPAT May 19th, my buddyy from my town and Vol. Company im on with now is applying to, i hope i get the job. this dept looks so amazing and im keeping my fingers crosssed 24/7

[Kobersteen]

Good luck delocoop. See you in rookie school!

[pumper8032]

Good luck guys, hope your succesful.

[Kobersteen]

Thanks pumper8032. We are one step closer, but the fight will remain. Spread the word!