Fairfax County (VA) Truck Staffing Video

Would it surprise you to learn that Fairfax County, Virginia Fire & Rescue Department is the only department trusted to protect over one million citizens that staffs its ladder trucks with less than 4 personnel?

This is the video produced by the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics - IAFF Local 2068 and distributed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prior to finalization of the FY2008 budget. It details the need for increased staffing on Fairfax County ladder trucks directly from those who staff and command them every day.

Our hope is that the SAFER Grant application that has been blocked by the County Executive in the past, is allowed to proceed so this vital, safe staffing can be realized!

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• IAFF
• Fairfax
• Virginia
• Truck
• ladder
• 2068
• staffing
• fire

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[lazecowproductions]

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