Now I know that all of you guys are chomping at the bit to get back to insulting each other and the respective families but I have a serious question. What do you think about having permanent station assignments vs moving arround like a vagrant. Where I am we have less that 6 stations and some of the "powers that be" think it is more beneficial to have everyone move arround a couple of times a year. Their reasoning is so that we have a chance to work and learn in the whole response area. My thinking is that permanent assignments are better for the reason that you know your first due area better thatn anyone else, you build a more cohesive group with your crew, which, inturn keeps morale up. Just my thoughts now lets hear yours...

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"A word to the wise ain’t necessary, it is the stupid ones who need all the advice."
- Bill Cosby

Permanant assignments also allow the crews to get to know the community around the station.  This develops more of a belonging in the neighborhood, which is good.  I like it because I am lazy and hate moving my stuff all of the time.

You are right in that it builds a more cohesive group, unless you are stuck with assholes.  In that case permanant assignments are not great.

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Hellcat

It's best to meet at HQ every tour, pull your assignment from a hat and run out rally style. All ranks should be included--that way the powers that be don't lose touch with the toilet cleaning folks.

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I'm kind of a big deal around here.
67C North Side Ninjas

Just from an operational standpoint; unwarrented moving could hinder great fire ground operations........my point being; if you never have a chance to build the fire ground confidence/trust/respect in your crew because you are always working with different people, then this could effect safe and efficient operations.  The only way I know to build this type of confidence/trust/respect is by catching some jobs together and working with the same crew.

Just my opinion but, as a fire chief, I always thought it best to let the rank and file determine where they want to work.  There should be some built-in mechanism for individuals to transfer off an undesirable crew (that's a long story) but I don't buy into the "gypsy" system.

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"You've got to suffer if you want to sing the blues."

We have a big shake-up every two years. There is no rhyme or reason to, just that it is the only power one of our esteemed chiefs has. Forget doing his primary job, nope lets move people randomly.

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It is what it is

I say permanent, unless the member promotes, or requests to move. But moving just to move people is not smart

I ahve been with Horry County Fire Rescue for 11 years now. With the past Chiefs and even with this one we have had our fair shake up's. However in the last three years or so that has all stopped. Now we only change if we put the request in and their is an opening or someone from that station wants a change. Personally I prefere to stay in my station. We my crew and I pit alot into building a repor with the community, not to mention the morale is a little better with out the shake up's hanging over our heads. By the way the shake up's were at the whim of the chief. However in the recent past we have a lot of people decide to move on, so we are looking at another shake up. We had 3 on out truck and had to move one to another stationdue to someone leaving for greener pastors. So I am against shake up's.

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Paul Caron

What's a green pastor?

FDNYDaBronx:

What's a green pastor?

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I'm kind of a big deal around here.
67C North Side Ninjas

Even better, who is shake up and what do you guys have of his?

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We don't get paid for what we do. We get paid for what we might have to do.