NB Fire Forums

[homeboy]

I'd like to be the first to congratulate Tim and Mark on their singular achievement. I just read in my July/August edition of "Fire Fighter" that these two gentlemens names will be read before the the assembled masses at the I.A.F.F. Convention in Las Vegas. This should be pretty close to the greatest honor they have thus far received. It appears that all the hard work that they have done on behalf of their customers has not gone unnoticed.
I feel especially good for Mark Carr. At the pinnacle of his career, this recognition of his fine work is sure to become known not only in the United States but also Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. What a resume enhancer!
Best of luck to you both in the future.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Hello Gents!
Yes 'tis quite an honor to be bestowed. I can not think of two more deserving of this outstanding pinnacle of perfection. They must be so proud.

Homeboy, Although this is a fine post and you give credit where credit is due, I must disagree with you on one point. They do nothing, NOTHING, for anyone but themselves. Not "customers", not employees. They are two of the most arrogant, self important, self promoting wastes of human existence that I for one have EVER had the displeasure to meet.

That being said, I would like you all to observe a moment of silence on July 20th for the fourth anniversary of the deaths of Firefighters Adam Meere and William Faust of the London Fire Brigade. A quote from one of London's periodicals "The court had heard how a catalogue of fatal blunders by Fire Brigade chiefs led to the pair's deaths." God Bless our Brothers and their families.

Without mentioning names or pointing fingers, one must ask themselves this question: Why would ANY person with the rank of Deputy Chief or Borough Commander or the like, leave that position so close to the end of one's career where one would receive approximately 85% of his/her pay to come to a city such as, let's say New Britain, to start over for less pay?
Something of cataclysmic proportions in one's career and/or psyche must have happened. I'm sure one of these days a drunken town leader will spill the beans at a local social club or while drunk in the car with some friends.

At any rate Homeboy, I must stand with you in your congratulations of the two you mentioned for their brilliant performance. Cheers, Gents!!

Brothers and Sisters,

STAY STRONG, BE ONE!!

[messy]

I too send messages of congratulations to me old mate Mark on his achievement. I don't know how he does it. It must be some kind of magic

I have heard that David Copperfield and David Blaine are now concerned about their futures, as they admit that, even together, they couldn't have performed such an incredible illusion. "What a stunt" was one quote from Penn and Teller when they heard the news (I think that was the quote!)

As far as Mark leaving LFB, I think there was a personal family reason for the move as he could have gone far higher in London. By the way, current pay for Boro Managers is about $100,000 and LFB Assistant Commisioners are on ccirca $182,000!! (How does that compare to his salary now?)

In the face of the vote of no confidence from you guys, how did Mark even get considered for an award????

Dearest Grumpy, I must take exception to you using the names of two fallen London brothers to attack your Chief. I understand your frustrations pal and your anger, but this ain't the way Bro.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Hello Gents,

Messy, my Bruv, whilst I understand your feelings towards me mentioning our (your) fallen Brothers names, I did so with the utmost respect. So, I am sorry if you feel otherwise.

But, I WILL NOT apologize for anything else. I make no mention of anyone's name. This could be all hypothetical, mate. And so, to set the record straight, I merely set the tone for a story that was spewed out by a drunken city official whilst in the middle of one of his many moments of word vomit. The scenario I used and the timing of events without mentioning names or pointing fingers seem all too coincidental as it should to anyone. The story of the man YOU mentioned leaving his position was widespread here also. But, like most of what has been said about him, this too was not to be believed. Your listed salaries are far more than he earns. Things just don't add up, now do they.

The afore mentioned award for Stewart Little and Dame Edna is the censuring of them both by the International Association of Firefighters. It couldn't have happened to a better couple. Their behavior and treatment of Firefighters has been well shameful and I will do everything in my power to make them just as miserable as they have made us in return for their unwarranted treatment of my Brothers and Sisters.

As far as him going "far higher" in London, well then mate, maybe he should have stayed! He seems to have more cheerleaders there than here.

Brothers and Sisters,

STAY STRONG, BE ONE!!

[messy]

Grumpy - Thanks for the reply and apology. I am sure you meant no harm or disrespect, it's just me being a little sensitive on the matter.

I must just clarify why I said MC would if gone higher if he'd stayed in LFB: This has absolutely 100% nothing to do with his competence as a fire service 'manager' (as you & I would define the word competent).

LFB is huge. I don't know how many people are employed, but adding operational staff and support staff there must be almost 7,000 of us.

The system for promotion to higher levels demands an ability to bullsh1t to an almost political ability and concerns management 'dolphin speak'. It has very little to do with practical fire command or comon sense.

Some people are better at management speak than others.

Some years ago, a public inquiry into a London police botched investigation into a murdered black kid, concluded that the Police were racist in the way they operated. This has had massive effect on all public services and there is real pressure for such services to 'reflect the community we serve'. Several initiatives to help recruit minority groups are launched and continue to this day.

So there has never been a better climate for a black senior manager - who is competent at dolphin speak- to progress to the very top.

Mind you, Mark is at the very top now, so maybe it's the kudos and social status which is more important than just the cash

Take care and stay safe

[Lou Roberts]

Aha! Now I get it, it's all bullsh*t! Duh!
Jeez, ya know, I never would have figured that out. Now I know why at his last meet and greet, he couldn't give me a straight answer about a question I asked.

He was trying to sell us on this idea of the computer filling in overtime vacancies. So, I asked him how it works. I got his version of the history of television and horse drawn pumpers. Damn it man, if I wanted information on a team of Clydesdales, I would have called Budweiser. "And so, we've gone from black and white t.v. to having holograms in our living rooms." Well messy, I don't know what mind altering meds he's on but I don't have holograms in MY living room.

Wow, your statement about reflecting the community we serve hits home. Those are almost word for word his statements when it comes to hiring and promotion. The last Lieutenant's promotions were a mess. He passed over the number one guy (the Union President) and others to get who he wanted. Now the list has run out of time and his excuse for not hiring off that list was that he wanted a 'wider pool' of candidates. To me, that is a slap in the face to the women and minorities on the job that are smart enough to get the job themselves without the help of the so called 'race card'. Just because he used it over there, doesn't mean our guys need that type of help to get to where they want to go in this Department.

Actually, if you ARE of color but not on his team, you're punished. Two of our guys (one black) spoke up at a civil service commission hearing. He stated that with only three years on the job that he did not feel ready to assume the role of Lieutenant. A very valid point from a very smart guy. Well, it was stated by Mr. Manager soon after, that he and the other private who spoke didn't have to be worried about being promoted at any time and was transferred there after. So much for his open door policy. I guess it's only open if you agree with his highness.

I'm sure that the excuse for the transfer has to do with that ridiculous Transfer Matrix that even he doesn't understand. It's just an excuse to punish people he doesn't like or who make him look like the fool he really is. Plus the fact that his moron of a boss tells him who to transfer when HE gets pissed. If his bright idea of transferring people really worked, then why are some guys still in the positions they have been in for over twenty years? I guess it's just us guys that speak up and ask questions who are recognizable that get transferred.

Grumpy's right. Their actions speak louder than words and if they actually had consciences, they should and would be ashamed of what they have done.

[NBForums]

The video from the convention is available on www.nbfire.us and also at youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2HLZuOmYoo

[homeboy]

Pish! Posh! What is this organization? I don't have time for this crap!