In Web notice, Chelmsford firefighters union urged other departments to skip parade

The ash has settled from holiday fireworks and the sparklers have gone dim. But controversy over firefighters' absence in the Fourth of July parade is still lighting up town talk after a special request from ...

[joel]

his article is for all those fools who backed the cfd in the article over the past weekend. the people who wear the uniform in chelmsford should be ashamed. i appreciate the work firefighters do and the bravery they show in the worst of times. in this instance, however, they are putting themselves above those whom they are sworn to protect and help. we pay their salaries and i think they should take a moment to reflect on that. as far as kivlan is concerned, he should resign immediately with an apology. he has made the cfd look terrible.

[WOW]

So when is this cowards formal apology to the town , the Media, and the people that organized the parade going to happen ??????

[Chelmsford Resident]

I feel bad for those firefighters that don't agree with the decision to not participate. I am sure not everyone wanted to go along with the unions decision. I don't begrudge all firefighters in Chelmsford. having said that..."What will this change?" what good did they think would come out of this decision. Why don't the firefighters just tell us what they want, instead of playing games. They have certainly hurt their previously untarnished reputation.

[not yet]

" Kivlan declined to comment further on the issue, saying yesterday that "it's time to move on."

No little man , Not just yet ....I think you need to tidy this one up a bit. and when you look at all the decent honorable firefighters in the town , please remember, you aren't even in the same league . You may want to include them in your apology.

[Jane Heick]

Folks wake up. The firefighters did not attend the parade because the taxpayers did not support them and their station is closed. These men and women do MORE for the public than anyone realizes, often on their own time. However, taxpayers have sent the message that their safety and their lives are UNIMPORTANT to you. Why should they march in your parade this year? Get a clue.

[Pew]

Jane Heick wrote:

. These men and women do MORE for the public than anyone realizes, often on their own time.

That, madam , is nothing less than a load of Horsedung.

[Info]

I am a firefighter in a area town. My town is half the size area wise and 10000 less people. Our minium staffing is 11. 5 more people than the CFD. Ous ambulance takes in $500,000 a year. Straight from the town accountant.

[sad]

Has this idiot ever heard don't bite the hand that feeds you? His childish antics should get him driven out of town. Whoever is his boss should start the proceedings now or there will never be any future support from the residents for the fire dept while he is in charge.

He is an embarrassment to the uniform.

[Get a math clue]

"Ours ambulance takes in $500,000 a year. Straight from the town accountant"

TAKES IN - NOT NETS! BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

Chelmsford was smart to avoid the ambulance. Get over it

[Interested Observer]

All the kids aren't in the schools are they? Grow up CFD. Do you think this will help you at the time of the next override? Why not go to the parade organizers last March--and tell them how you look forward to the parade? That would have required some maturity. Now this childish temper tantrum---beneath disgust.

[Babe]

They are all laughing at the fire house and drinking free coffee. They can give a crap about what going on. They are all going back to bed now, so lets be quiet.Kivlan will throw out his back next week.

[Daniel]

Reminds me of my childhood days when we children couldn't simply get along and would go crying to mama..

[Same story]

Why should the firefighters put any extra energy into a town that obviously doesn't give a crap about them. Chelmsford sent a clear message to the firefighters and teachers, you are unimportant to us...what do you expect?

[Interested Observer]

Same story wrote:

Why should the firefighters put any extra energy into a town that obviously doesn't give a crap about them. Chelmsford sent a clear message to the firefighters and teachers, you are unimportant to us...what do you expect?

Why, if I didn't know better, I would say this is childish whining. The override didn't go down because of the Fire Dep't. The Fire dep't would have won but tied themselves to the teacher's union. It was their fault. Grow up and get over it and do your job and enjoy the town and the fact you have a job.

[Joey]

joel wrote:

his article is for all those fools who backed the cfd in the article over the past weekend. the people who wear the uniform in chelmsford should be ashamed. i appreciate the work firefighters do and the bravery they show in the worst of times. in this instance, however, they are putting themselves above those whom they are sworn to protect and help. we pay their salaries and i think they should take a moment to reflect on that. as far as kivlan is concerned, he should resign immediately with an apology. he has made the cfd look terrible.

Who does CFD work for? The taxpayers or the union?

[Tim]

How much support was the CFD getting in past years (when they attended the parade) if facilities were closed and manning was cut? Seems like an example of people wanting their cake and eating it too. "We pay their salaries and want them to do what we want, when we want it!" Firefighters get paid by the people to fight fires and handle medical emergencies... not walk down Main Street.

[Get Real]

The people of Chelmsford said enough is enough. They are sick of taxes going up and up. Homeowners are not saying they don't support the town but the employees must understand citizens can't continue to pay more and more for less and less.

GET INTO THE REAL WORLD the well is dry and it's time to give back to the people that pay the salaries!

[Interested Observer]

Tim wrote:

How much support was the CFD getting in past years (when they attended the parade) if facilities were closed and manning was cut? Seems like an example of people wanting their cake and eating it too. "We pay their salaries and want them to do what we want, when we want it!" Firefighters get paid by the people to fight fires and handle medical emergencies... not walk down Main Street.

Of course--but then don't blame it on not being invited. Be honest.

[Same story]

Interested Observer wrote:

<quoted text>
Grow up and get over it and do your job and enjoy the town and the fact you have a job.

They do their job. Walking in a parade isn't part of that job.

[OG Frank]

if it was just an "oversight" as the union first stated, you know how they said it was nothing personal, people just get caught up in their lives and forget about parades, then it is pretty funny that this jerk can remember to ask other towns to not show.
The whole "we'd do it if we could" kind of gets exposed when you start asking other cities not to show up.