Fort Polk Fire Department is the Worst

[Very Hurt]

Friends, I come to you with this forum because I continue to hear sad things about the supposed self proclaimed best fire department in our area. I just recently learned that another friend of mine “Skippy” has quit the Federal fire service. Why? I asked him and all he could tell me was management is horrible there. He would not go any farther then that he stated he does not even care to think about that place and he is done with the fire service all together. What would make someone like him quit a 60k dollar a year job? Just like that. I did not put much more thought into it until somebody told me today that they are now trying to suspend an employee for thirty days. I asked him what for? And he said they did not know everything but that it stemmed from an accident that took place with an air hose while the guy was trying to blow dirt off his uniform. Man that is crazy! I can’t believe that such a large department that does such good things could be so petty! The same person also told me that the reputation of Fort Polk Fire Department is so bad that they can not even keep all there positions full and that people transfer out as quick as they come in to the department claming that it is the worst managed fire department they have ever seen. All I know is that everyone I have seen go to work for that fire department starts happy and full of life, but just months later they all seem to want to quit and are always upset and depressed. And the ones that I have seen make it to retirement always look ten years younger just days after they retire. I don’t know what is going on out there but any Fort Polk fireman that you talk to claims that the turn over rate is very high. This whole thing makes me sad, to see so many good young men sad about having to go to work there even with as much as they get paid. It’s just crazy to me!

[Scott Running Bear]

I don;t doubt the claims of bad management. I've seen a few depts run into the ground by bad management. As for the high turnover, I know that even the permanent duty personnel (which isn't a lot)on post are anything but and can be reassigned anywhere at a moments notice. I've also seen a lot of those happy-go-lucky guys who go into the fire service, 7/10's of them acting acting they're gonna be some kind of hero Rescue 911 tomorrow. I see them all the time trying to get into the dept I'm in and we turn them away every time. Why? Because the first time they get their knuckles rapped for screwing up they go crying to the district president about their rights being abused. We want people who want to work within the rules, not mavericks who take off on their own and put everyone else in danger. As for the air hose incident, have you ever seen and air hose going full blast and locked open (don't try telling me it can't happen cause I've seen it) fly out of someones hand? It snaps around like a whip and can cause serious injuries if it hits someone. I've seen them put dents in trucks, and yes, we've written up people for it too.

[VP Resident]

Very Hurt, You are correct I know a Fort Polk fireman he and his family live out here by me. I agree he is always upset about something going on out there. He does'nt say much what exactly only that my son approached him about getting on out there and he told him it's not even worth it go to fire school and go to work for some place better, that Fort Polk would just discourage him. I agree seems wierd that he wouls say such things but he must know something we don't he has been there for alot of years.

[Ron]

All I know is that everyone I have seen go to work for that fire department starts happy and full of life, but just months later they all seem to want to quit and are always upset and depressed.

Ha-ha sound no different from the actual SOLDIERS who get assigned to this craphole of a Post. Maybe you should check out their "morale". Most assigned anywhere near this place get sucked into a sinkhole of anger and depression that is hard to overcome.

[Scott Running Bear]

That must be what happened to you. I bet you'll be so happy to be reassigned someplace else, or did you do something to warrant getting stuck here?

[Base fireman]

I have never posted anything here before so I'm not sure how things works but a friend informed me that my incident was being talked about on the inter-net. But I am the fireman that is involved with the air hose incident and yes they are trying to suspend me with no pay for thirty days. I was using the High Pressure air hose used to connect to the pumpers air brake system to clean some dirt and grass off my uniform and there was two other firefighters standing next to me. Well my actions apparently startalled one of the firefighters and he screamed at me at the exact moment I was opening up the handle and he scared me and he caught a small burst of air (no more then a second or two) in the neck and face. Well the air system lines were installed many years ago and do NOT have the proper OSHA required water traps or safety levers that are required as a result some water came out of the lines and entered his eye causeing some minor swelling. The man never had to go to the doctor and two days later was able to return to work with no problems. The guy and I are still friends but management saw fit that even though the effected fireman told them it was an accident and he did not want to have me disiplined a certain Assistant Chief who is almost imfamous around our department for his hate for me decided that the employee did not know what was best for himself and put the action through. So there is a brief statement of events as they happened, you decide and feel free to post your comments about the situation here I would like to know how you all feel about it. But I would like to add one last thing that if the department spent more money on things like bringing our station up to OSHA and NFPA standards this accident most likly would have never happened. Just my thoughts you tell me what you think.

[Base fireman]

oh sorry what I mean by spent more money I mean like the half a million dollar spending days that we have about once a year were money has to be spent of close of bussiness or we loss it. And we buy things like under water basket weiving sets, and winches that don't fit any of our trucks, you know things like that.

[Scott Running Bear]

I know very well what you mean about the use it or lose it funding. A place I used to work for faced the same thing every year and always ended up buying some things they would never use. Some of this stuff ended up being sold off to the public or simply given away to some of the employees. Fortunately the parish fire depts (volunteer) don't face this. They can buy as much or as little as they need without fear of the surplus being deducted from future funds.

I'm very surprised at the air system having no filter or moisture trap. And it's used to keep the air brake systems on the trucks topped up? I know what even a little water can do to a trucks brake system and it isn't pretty. They're playing Russian roulette with peoples lives. At some point there's going to be a brake failure due to rust flakes or dirt inhibiting the systems function and some motorist, passer-by or firefighter is going to pay the price.

[FRANCO CARGONI]

Believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you see mama always told me... As far as your comments are concerned... they are just speculation and hearsay on your part! Venting into a public forumn on issues that you have no personal knowledge of shows your true lack of character for the other firemen that love their job! If you are going to speculate then consider that just maybe the heat is starting to amass from the standards being raised to an attainable goal which everyone just doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to maintain!

Very Hurt wrote:

Friends, I come to you with this forum because I continue to hear sad things about the supposed self proclaimed best fire department in our area. I just recently learned that another friend of mine “Skippy” has quit the Federal fire service. Why? I asked him and all he could tell me was management is horrible there. He would not go any farther then that he stated he does not even care to think about that place and he is done with the fire service all together. What would make someone like him quit a 60k dollar a year job? Just like that. I did not put much more thought into it until somebody told me today that they are now trying to suspend an employee for thirty days. I asked him what for? And he said they did not know everything but that it stemmed from an accident that took place with an air hose while the guy was trying to blow dirt off his uniform. Man that is crazy! I can’t believe that such a large department that does such good things could be so petty! The same person also told me that the reputation of Fort Polk Fire Department is so bad that they can not even keep all there positions full and that people transfer out as quick as they come in to the department claming that it is the worst managed fire department they have ever seen. All I know is that everyone I have seen go to work for that fire department starts happy and full of life, but just months later they all seem to want to quit and are always upset and depressed. And the ones that I have seen make it to retirement always look ten years younger just days after they retire. I don’t know what is going on out there but any Fort Polk fireman that you talk to claims that the turn over rate is very high. This whole thing makes me sad, to see so many good young men sad about having to go to work there even with as much as they get paid. It’s just crazy to me!

[Ron]

But I would like to add one last thing that if the department spent more money on things like bringing our station up to OSHA and NFPA standards this accident most likly would have never happened. Just my thoughts you tell me what you think.

Ok here is what I think Fort Polk is a craphole and everyone knows it. Spend money to bring the fire station up to OSHA and NFPA standards. How about spending the money to bring the POST UP TO STANDARDS. Ran down moldy barracks that were to be replaced years ago, motor pools that haven't seen improvements in bays since the 1960's (here's a hint they make pneumatic lifts now and also heat/air conditioning what a concept!!!) Unmowed ranges, a finance office built in the what 1950's?? Hell with everyone recently coming back I would settle for maybe some signal lights on the Post that have TURN SIGNALS!!! How's about a redlight with a turn signal on Mississippi and Entrance road, Mississippi and Bell Richard? Bell Richard and the two one way streets? Baring that how about the MP command get off their asses and assign some to direct traffic in the mornings (probably too busy doing other more important things like MOWING GRASS). How about a base hospital that actually has ICU capability?? Here's a hint Fort Polk how about coming out of the "Tigerland" 1960's and enter the 21st century for once.

[Ron Boss]

The Ranges do get mowed.I was out there last summer mowing them. And I know there is a lot more ranges that needs to be mowed. But heres a concept. How about all those Army brats that gets into trouble. Let just give them an old push mower ( the kind with no motor) and let them mow the range. WOW how about it Ron. Since you got all this time to put down Ft. Polk and Vernon Parish. Why don't you get your ass up off the couch. And really make America proud by finally earning your money!!!! Why don't you just shut up and go mow your own range!!!! We as tax payers are not here to make your life simple so you can live like a king. You are nothing more but a everyday person. So start acting like it .

[ron]

Why don't you get your ass up off the couch. And really make America proud by finally earning your money!!!! Why don't you just shut up and go mow your own range!!!!

Because we aren't the ones getting paid to do it!! Oh and by the way we usually DO wind up doing the mowing even though it is YOU being paid to do it.

As for Army brats getting into trouble probably wouldn't if the sorry assed town they are in gave em something to do besides hang out on the corner and buy drugs from the locals

[Rons Boss]

Boy oh boy your a real tough one aren't you. Complain complain......guess you just want everything for nothing ...poor little army brat

[ron]

Ft Polk the Soldiers do the work, and the civilians who get paid to do the job, still gets paid. So you have in reality TWO FOLKS (the civilians and the Soldier) getting paid to do the same job, only problem is only one of em seems to be working.

As for wanting something for nothing, that would seem to be more in the lines of folks from here, not the Soldier.