I find the 10-80-10 rule to generally work in almost any organization.    80% of your folks are basically solid workers.  By that I mean they come in on time, go home on time, do the work they are paid for, do their training, make their appointments etc.  Nothing super dee duper just a basically dependable worker. then ...

It's typical to assemble and standby.  Of course we are running the situation at hand through our mind and mentally prepping for any potentials we can think of.  However, our RIT's do not typically get involved in other taskings (laddering, ventilation, suppression etc).  In fact if you're RIT and get caught running around ...

Well said BFD.  I appreciate the perspective and am reminded in my old age to be ready to listen as well as rant.  I agree that the FD is like any other profession, volunteer or career.  I know the members on my dept and we have some slackers to be sure.  But the core of the dept has some of the most dedicated people I have ...

Any good leader recognizes the need to take care of their people to get the mission done.  If you take care of your people 90% of them will take care of you.  There are 10% dirtbags in any organization.

Well our department is 100% volunteer and we assemble dedicated RIT as soon as manpower permits.  Being assigned RIT can suck as you're not really doing much other than being available, but when a mayday comes it's better to be immediatly ready to go.  Well that's our philosophy anyway...

FDNYDaBronx:Most of the animosity comes from the guys with the ''I fight what you fear'' and '' No one can force me to go into a burning building, I'm a volunteer'' tee shirts. They are douche bags and make firemen as a group look like a bunch of fat slovenly glory mongers. not to mention the volly groups that will fight tooth and nail to keep ...

http://evi-fl.com/newdeliveries/ofallon2699/ofallon2699.html  OFD put our new replacement rescue truck in service last week.  Our truck committee put a hell of alot of work into this.

FF-P 54:Well put BFDCraig. I looked at his past posts and this person hates us paid guys because we are paid.. Oh please...If you can clearly show, by my posts, where I have demonstrated I HATE paid FF's JUST for being paid then do so.  I have looked at your posts too and with your logic can assume you HATE volunteers if they get ...

BFDCraig: idmtfirefighter:  My opinion is paid FF's gripe to much about their pay.  Emergency services (FF/EMT/COP etc) is not a career to get rich in.  You knew how much the pay was when you took the job.  If you're not happy with the pay/benefits and it's a sticking point for you then train to do something else.  ...

slummin:I played volunteer for a short period, only long enough to cert. and test and was fortunate enough to get picked up full time.I say palyed vollie because I don't want to come across like I have the slightest experiance bieng a vollie.Being on the west coast we don't see very much vollie stuff anymore, but I think it's great for anyone ...