Firefighters dance the night away at annual event - Sentinel & ...

City firefighter Bob Penning remembers attending the Fire Department's annual Firefighters Ball when he was a kid with his father.

[B lBl]

How wounderfull it is ,,,, making a hefty sum of Money ,as a firefighter,,and
need street Contribution, for a Ball, help the Needy Firefighters that are Retirees, when the avarage Joe blow has a difficult time making Ends with not halve there Retirement Money

[Sean B]

B lBl wrote:

How wounderfull it is ,,,, making a hefty sum of Money ,as a firefighter,,and
need street Contribution, for a Ball, help the Needy Firefighters that are Retirees, when the avarage Joe blow has a difficult time making Ends with not halve there Retirement Money

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? These guys deserve respect!!!!! Three words "pompous arrogant prick". Put out your own fire!

[Ms Clean]

B lBl wrote:

How wounderfull it is ,,,, making a hefty sum of Money ,as a firefighter,,and
need street Contribution, for a Ball, help the Needy Firefighters that are Retirees, when the avarage Joe blow has a difficult time making Ends with not halve there Retirement Money

I certainly hope you never need the firefighters to come to your rescue. They and the police DO NOT get paid hefty sums of money as people would like to think. If you knew any of them you would know that most of the police and fire personnel have second jobs to be able to support their families. For putting themselves on the line for our safety that is pretty despicable!!

[knuckle head]

B lBl wrote:

How wounderfull it is ,,,, making a hefty sum of Money ,as a firefighter,,and
need street Contribution, for a Ball, help the Needy Firefighters that are Retirees, when the avarage Joe blow has a difficult time making Ends with not halve there Retirement Money

Sorry you didn't past the test.........

[Big Pumper Truck]

Sean B wrote:

<quoted text>
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? These guys deserve respect!!!!! Three words "pompous arrogant **** ". Put out your own fire!

Classic response! FEAR! Fear the FIRE! We need more money cause Fires can happen anytime! FEAR them (and give us Heros more money)(oh, and a monument in the park with all the war hero (you, know, the REAL ones)). As for the "put out your own fire" comment; I'll just wait for Fitchburg to get here, seems every time we have a fire they rescue the survivors or find the victims.....

Your a bunch of lazy lay-about, your not kidding anybody.

Flanagan was there? WOW, was she bouncing from room to room afterwards "getting votes."

[Lita]

I like the firemens...I could dance with them all night!

[local]

Sean B wrote:

<quoted text>
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? These guys deserve respect!!!!! Three words "pompous arrogant **** ". Put out your own fire!

..........totally agree

[Biggidy]

did they invite their girlfriends or their wives??

[Laugh]

Big Pumper Truck wrote:

<quoted text>
Classic response! FEAR! Fear the FIRE! We need more money cause Fires can happen anytime!

Firefighters don't just respond to fires. See who comes to your house when you dial 911 because someone is having a heart attack or something...

[Big Pumper Truck]

Laugh wrote:

<quoted text>
Firefighters don't just respond to fires. See who comes to your house when you dial 911 because someone is having a heart attack or something...

Besides the 4-5 pieces of expensive and unnecessary equipment? MEDSTAR!

[Darn Tootin from W Newton]

Ms Clean wrote:

<quoted text>
I certainly hope you never need the firefighters to come to your rescue. They and the police DO NOT get paid hefty sums of money as people would like to think. If you knew any of them you would know that most of the police and fire personnel have second jobs to be able to support their families. For putting themselves on the line for our safety that is pretty despicable!!

I am not so sure where you are getting your information; or if you are just assuming that the police and the Firefighters are not paid well. At any rate, here are the actual facts:

On Sunday, May 10, 2009, the Sentinel & Enterprise published a list of the top 100 highest earners in the City of Fitchburg. Included on the list were 29 Firefighters (with the lowest paid being $76,970.69 per year and the highest paid being $112,015.02) and 25 cops (with the lowest paid being $76,801.56 per year and the highest paid being $109,100.62). So, we must face the facts; and the facts show that both groups are VERY WELL PAID! And, since the highest paid Firefighters and cops basically work out of the station only; they are at no risk of personal injury whatsoever while on the job!

(And, don't even get me started on their VERY CUSHY retirement packages.)

Some cops and some Firefighters are occasionally put into potentially life threatening situations; however it is clearly a myth that all of them are put into life threatening situations every single day and every single hour that they are on the job. Obviously, this is a myth that is promoted by the police unions and the Firefighters Unions; as well as the Firefighters and the cops themselves.

I appreciate what the Firefighters do for us; and I have no problem with them. And, I even appreciate what a handful of cops do for us. But, most cops are in it for themselves. The job pays well; and there are countless perks of the job; both above board and below. And, some of these perks are legal and some are illegal. But, you can safely bet that each force in every town and city in the nation has some cops playing by the rules and some cops who are nothing more than criminals with badges. And, everything in between.

So, have no concern over their pay. They are paid very well for what is basically a pretty safe job for the bulk of them. And, the cops are famous for getting more than their fair share as a result of the power that goes along with the job......

[Fred]

Darn Tootin from W Newton wrote:

<quoted text>
.... list of the top 100 highest earners in the City of Fitchburg. Included on the list were 29 Firefighters (with the lowest paid being $76,970.69 per year and the highest paid being $112,015.02) and 25 cops (with the lowest paid being $76,801.56 per year and the highest paid being $109,100.62)......

However, you fail to note that of the total Firefighter force of 66, 37 firefighters are below the $76,970.69, and maybe well below that pay.

Also, of the total Police "sworn" force of 82, 57 officers are below the $76,801.56, and also maybe well beow that pay.

[Darn Tootin from W Newton]

Fred wrote:

<quoted text>
However, you fail to note that of the total Firefighter force of 66, 37 firefighters are below the $76,970.69, and maybe well below that pay.
Also, of the total Police "sworn" force of 82, 57 officers are below the $76,801.56, and also maybe well beow that pay.

Fred,

Great point and thanks for pointing it out. It sounds like what really needs to happen is a pay adjustment for those individuals who are the highest earners at both the Fire Station and the Police Station. In other words; they are making too much money for a job involving zero risk of personal injury. If they all made less money; and we spread the money down to others working for the Fire Dept and for the Police Dept; others who may in fact be underpaid; the situation can be corrected at zero cost to the Taxpayers.

In other words, we Taxpayers already pay plenty for the Fire Dept and the Police Dept. It is not our fault that roughly 1/3 of the workers in the Fire Dept and in the Police Dept are grossly overpaid; one third is being paid fairly and one third are underpaid. You people need to make better and fairer use of the money that we are already giving you!

As I have pointed out a few times over the last year; out in the private sector, many people in middle and higher management postions have been laid off or have taken pay cuts. How come this same thing does not happen as often in the public sector; when it comes to our public servants?

[Civil Servant Supporter]

Darn Tootin from W Newton wrote:

<quoted text>
I am not so sure where you are getting your information; or if you are just assuming that the police and the Firefighters are not paid well. At any rate, here are the actual facts:
On Sunday, May 10, 2009, the Sentinel & Enterprise published a list of the top 100 highest earners in the City of Fitchburg. Included on the list were 29 Firefighters (with the lowest paid being $76,970.69 per year and the highest paid being $112,015.02) and 25 cops (with the lowest paid being $76,801.56 per year and the highest paid being $109,100.62). So, we must face the facts; and the facts show that both groups are VERY WELL PAID! And, since the highest paid Firefighters and cops basically work out of the station only; they are at no risk of personal injury whatsoever while on the job!
(And, don't even get me started on their VERY CUSHY retirement packages.)
Some cops and some Firefighters are occasionally put into potentially life threatening situations; however it is clearly a myth that all of them are put into life threatening situations every single day and every single hour that they are on the job. Obviously, this is a myth that is promoted by the police unions and the Firefighters Unions; as well as the Firefighters and the cops themselves.
I appreciate what the Firefighters do for us; and I have no problem with them. And, I even appreciate what a handful of cops do for us. But, most cops are in it for themselves. The job pays well; and there are countless perks of the job; both above board and below. And, some of these perks are legal and some are illegal. But, you can safely bet that each force in every town and city in the nation has some cops playing by the rules and some cops who are nothing more than criminals with badges. And, everything in between.
So, have no concern over their pay. They are paid very well for what is basically a pretty safe job for the bulk of them. And, the cops are famous for getting more than their fair share as a result of the power that goes along with the job......

It's too bad... I thought you were on hiatus... How'd you get from the Fireman'r Ball to your usual rant about cops?
Just why DO you hate cops and correctional officers? I daresay you were on the receiving end of them one too many times... I mean, lots of us served-USMC, USAF, USA, USCG, where did you serve? MCI where?
I bet they hate you too... You must have done something... What was it? I bet your story is a doozy... Felony or two? Or three? Violence-against another member of society? Do share, Darn Tootin' I'm as clean as a whistle. Are you? I used to think you were just a scorned wife-now I believe you're some kind of sociopath.
What is it? And where's your hokey sidekick Dr. Evil blowing your horn?("Darn Tootin for Mayor!")
What a sickness. Every firefighter deserves every penny they make-and then some. Don't give me that BS about hanging around the firehouse doing nothing and "occasionally" working. Myths? You're a sick dog.
You're a blot on this community whether we're talking about this blog or community as a whole.
You're an insult to Firefighters, citizens and police officers everywhere. Have you ever heard of the Belliveau Furniture Factory Fire in Fitchburg? Two proud members of the Fitchburg Fire Department followed in their father's footsteps and serve-keeping us safe.
Oh, I forgot to mention... Their dad was KIA at that fire. What do you think? They joined for the firehouse food? I wish they could find out who you are and...
Fitchburg Police Officers too have died in the line of duty PROTECTING THE LIKES OF YOU. Just go see the Police Memorial some time. Do you even know where it is?
The firefighters deserve every dance, every cocktail, everything they get.

Just shut up for a change. Your schtick is already old. Nobody believes a bit of it, except for your toady already mentioned.

MCI where?

[Hip Hip Horray]

Civil Servant Supporter wrote:

<quoted text>
It's too bad... I thought you were on hiatus... How'd you get from the Fireman'r Ball to your usual rant about cops?
Just why DO you hate cops and correctional officers? I daresay you were on the receiving end of them one too many times... I mean, lots of us served-USMC, USAF, USA, USCG, where did you serve? MCI where?
I bet they hate you too... You must have done something... What was it? I bet your story is a doozy... Felony or two? Or three? Violence-against another member of society? Do share, Darn Tootin' I'm as clean as a whistle. Are you? I used to think you were just a scorned wife-now I believe you're some kind of sociopath.
What is it? And where's your hokey sidekick Dr. Evil blowing your horn?("Darn Tootin for Mayor!")
What a sickness. Every firefighter deserves every penny they make-and then some. Don't give me that BS about hanging around the firehouse doing nothing and "occasionally" working. Myths? You're a sick dog.
You're a blot on this community whether we're talking about this blog or community as a whole.
You're an insult to Firefighters, citizens and police officers everywhere. Have you ever heard of the Belliveau Furniture Factory Fire in Fitchburg? Two proud members of the Fitchburg Fire Department followed in their father's footsteps and serve-keeping us safe.
Oh, I forgot to mention... Their dad was KIA at that fire. What do you think? They joined for the firehouse food? I wish they could find out who you are and...
Fitchburg Police Officers too have died in the line of duty PROTECTING THE LIKES OF YOU. Just go see the Police Memorial some time. Do you even know where it is?
The firefighters deserve every dance, every cocktail, everything they get.
Just shut up for a change. Your schtick is already old. Nobody believes a bit of it, except for your toady already mentioned.
MCI where?

Bless you, bless you, bless you for saying exactly what so many of us feel. I am so "Darn" fed up with this "Darn" loser "tootin" his idiocy. Anyone as obsessed as he is obviously has no life.

Sad really.

But THANK YOU for saying exactly what I was thinking!

[Civil Servant Supporter]

Darn Tootin from W Newton wrote:

<quoted text>
Fred,
Great point and thanks for pointing it out. It sounds like what really needs to happen is a pay adjustment for those individuals who are the highest earners at both the Fire Station and the Police Station. In other words; they are making too much money for a job involving zero risk of personal injury. If they all made less money; and we spread the money down to others working for the Fire Dept and for the Police Dept; others who may in fact be underpaid; the situation can be corrected at zero cost to the Taxpayers.
In other words, we Taxpayers already pay plenty for the Fire Dept and the Police Dept. It is not our fault that roughly 1/3 of the workers in the Fire Dept and in the Police Dept are grossly overpaid; one third is being paid fairly and one third are underpaid. You people need to make better and fairer use of the money that we are already giving you!
As I have pointed out a few times over the last year; out in the private sector, many people in middle and higher management postions have been laid off or have taken pay cuts. How come this same thing does not happen as often in the public sector; when it comes to our public servants?

Oh, and by the way, last fire I saw in Fitchburg, the Chief was there... Directing the effort. Along with a captain and a lieutenant.

What a bunch of dogcrap. Volunteer somewhere Darn Tootin' and pay back to society what you have already taken.

[Darn Tootin from W Newton]

Civil Servant Supporter wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh, and by the way, last fire I saw in Fitchburg, the Chief was there... Directing the effort. Along with a captain and a lieutenant.
What a bunch of dogcrap. Volunteer somewhere Darn Tootin' and pay back to society what you have already taken.

You guys just don't like being reminded of the facts. And, you sure as heck don't want the facts being shared with the general public.

You guys bring up a Firefighter or a cop who may have died in the line of duty; somewhere in the history of the City of Fitchburg. I don't dispute it; and I appreciate the sacrifice that they made for doing their jobs. Obviously, they made the ultimate sacrifice.

But, the cold hard facts are that there are at least 10 jobs in the US where workers die on the job more often than cops do. And, there are 14 jobs in the US where workers die on the job more often then Firefighters do. In other words, being a cop ranks number 11 and being a Firefighter ranks number 15 as far as loss of life while on the job. This is factual data; as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So, needless to say; if you looked at the total numbers of workers employed in jobs other than Firefighters or cops; for as far back in time that you are going when you bring up the Firefighters who died in the line of duty in Fitchburg; you would find that many more Electricians, Laborers, Roofers, Structual Steel Workers, Welders and others died at numbers higher than the handful of Firefighters and cops that you bring up. Again, the statistics prove it.

You guys can try to put your own spin on things; and I really can't blame you; but the facts are the facts. And, the facts show that being a cop in the US is the 11th most dangerous job, and being a Firefighter is the 15th most damgerous job; when it comes to loss of life on the job. And, when you throw in the fact that more cops cause their own death via an accident; than die at the hands of a crazed criminal; the job of being a cop would be even safer if the cops were more careful.

I appreciate what you guys do for us. But, the public deserves to hear the facts. And, that is why I stick around. By the way, I only joined into this thread, when someone posted the nonsense about all cops and all Firefighters being at great risk, any time that they are on the job. That is nonsense, and nothing more. So, I feel compelled to tell the other side of the story. Since we have already shown that at least half of the Fitchburg PD works out of the police station itself; it is very clear that at least half of the Fitchburg PD have very safe jobs.

I'll see you at the Policeman's Ball.......

[Another Kim]

I wish the firemens would dance under the sheets with me and put my fire out!

[Count me in]

Darn Tootin from W Newton wrote:

<quoted text>
You guys just don't like being reminded of the facts. And, you sure as heck don't want the facts being shared with the general public.
You guys bring up a Firefighter or a cop who may have died in the line of duty; somewhere in the history of the City of Fitchburg. I don't dispute it; and I appreciate the sacrifice that they made for doing their jobs. Obviously, they made the ultimate sacrifice.
But, the cold hard facts are that there are at least 10 jobs in the US where workers die on the job more often than cops do. And, there are 14 jobs in the US where workers die on the job more often then Firefighters do. In other words, being a cop ranks number 11 and being a Firefighter ranks number 15 as far as loss of life while on the job. This is factual data; as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
So, needless to say; if you looked at the total numbers of workers employed in jobs other than Firefighters or cops; for as far back in time that you are going when you bring up the Firefighters who died in the line of duty in Fitchburg; you would find that many more Electricians, Laborers, Roofers, Structual Steel Workers, Welders and others died at numbers higher than the handful of Firefighters and cops that you bring up. Again, the statistics prove it.
You guys can try to put your own spin on things; and I really can't blame you; but the facts are the facts. And, the facts show that being a cop in the US is the 11th most dangerous job, and being a Firefighter is the 15th most damgerous job; when it comes to loss of life on the job. And, when you throw in the fact that more cops cause their own death via an accident; than die at the hands of a crazed criminal; the job of being a cop would be even safer if the cops were more careful.
I appreciate what you guys do for us. But, the public deserves to hear the facts. And, that is why I stick around. By the way, I only joined into this thread, when someone posted the nonsense about all cops and all Firefighters being at great risk, any time that they are on the job. That is nonsense, and nothing more. So, I feel compelled to tell the other side of the story. Since we have already shown that at least half of the Fitchburg PD works out of the police station itself; it is very clear that at least half of the Fitchburg PD have very safe jobs.
I'll see you at the Policeman's Ball.......

Count me in as one of those that considers Police Officers and Firefighters as "Heros". You say that the Bureau of Labor list the jobs of Firefighters and Police Officers low in the rankings of Dangerous jobs, that may be so, but how many of those other jobs that are ahead of Police Officers and Firefighters give their lives for others? That is why I consider them "Heros", they give their lives for us, including you, not many other professions can claim that, including the ones that you say rank higher in dangerousness than our Civil Servants.

[Darn Tootin from W Newton]

Count me in wrote:

<quoted text>
Count me in as one of those that considers Police Officers and Firefighters as "Heros". You say that the Bureau of Labor list the jobs of Firefighters and Police Officers low in the rankings of Dangerous jobs, that may be so, but how many of those other jobs that are ahead of Police Officers and Firefighters give their lives for others? That is why I consider them "Heros", they give their lives for us, including you, not many other professions can claim that, including the ones that you say rank higher in dangerousness than our Civil Servants.

You people like to bring up that Firefighters and cops risk their lives for others; as opposed to the workers who die on the job more often than Firefighters or cops who are not dying for others.

I don't dispute that. But, isn't the pay; the perks and the retirement packages that Firefighters and cops get FAR HIGHER than the pay, the perks, and the retirement packages of the workers who actually die on the job more often than the Firefighters and the cops do? I can answer my own question: "The pay; the perks and the retirement packages that are given to Firefighters and cops are significantly higher than the pay, the perks and the retirement packages of the workers who die on the job in the US more often than Firefights and cops die on the job."

And, I will remind you once more that at least 50% of the Fitchburg PD and at least 35% of the Fitchburg FD basically work out of the station house only; where they are at zero risk of personal injury or death......