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"A HARTFORD FIREFIGHTER'S VIEWPOINT"

35 Comments -

1 – 35 of 35
Anonymous peter brush said...

If the Mayor chooses to cut man power, close firehouses
-----------------------------
The problem is that the City has spent and promised to spend on all sorts of social programs, most especially the education "system," and now (arguably) can't even afford to appropriately fund the critical functions of a legitimate municipal government. But, appropriate funding doesn't necessarily include state-mandated unionization of the police and fire departments; i.e. "rights as a collective bargaining unit."

March 17, 2016 at 11:19 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wasn't the entire Hartford Fire Department based on volunteers in the past?

March 17, 2016 at 3:05 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. Let' s build another ball park and close a firehouse to finance it. Hartford has too many special needs poor people. The chickens have come home to roost, people. Fundamentally, too many uninformed voters elect too many inferior leaders and down the toilet we go. A slide into the dark underworld of stench and slime of recycled human waste all suckling at the tetts of mammy Hartford. Some still occupy their rotund behinds and we know who they are. Leftovers from the leader who had the cane field sun in his eyes for so long that he was incapable of adult use of the intellect.

It just occurred I must call someone in the city. I walked into an unlocked abandoned house yesterday on Newberry St. The copper pipes have probably been ripped out by now. The last time I called every department in town about an unlocked abandoned house, including fire, no one responded. Why? Because Hartford is the most dysfunctional town I have ever seen in my life. Why? Because everyone has employed everyone's dysfunctional family member. I will try again.

Bye.

March 17, 2016 at 3:15 PM

Blogger KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Not sure what your point is. Most Fire Departments were volunteer at one time, but even most suburbs now have paid fire departments at selected times. We are way beyond the point of a volunteer department working for our City, the call volume alone for EMS, let alone fires and other alarms would be unmanageable waiting for volunteers to arrive at Fire houses, not to mention Insurance rates skyrocketing, especially for commercial properties

March 17, 2016 at 3:17 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd love to see what the remaining businesses in Hartford would have to say, when their fire department gets cut down to nothing and their insurance goes through the roof....Once the HFD loses that ISO Class 1 rating due to this pathetic mayor and his state cronies, its going to affect more than just the union members.

March 17, 2016 at 3:37 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kevin, what do you think the insurance rates will be when the city loses it's class 1 designation.

March 17, 2016 at 3:53 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've visited Hartford, CT before. I would think a city that was so densly populated with such a high pop capita per sq mileage would and buildings in close proximity would have cutting crucial people for the safety of their citizens as the last thing on their mind. Now, I know they just upgraded their bus transportation system with new routes and are currently building a baseball arena, as well as, the downtown vitalization project they seem to have going on. So, the funds are there. They just need to be reallocated and I think the residents need to turn out in support, but even more importantly they need to turn out and question their city council as to what happened. How could the financial status have gotten so abruptly irresponsible and no one take any course of action to correct it. Now, I am not a firefighter. However, I do have knowledge as to city planning and genral operations of a municipality. In regards to this letter, stations and staffing guidelines are implaced for specific reasons. To alot ample coverage of a city and efficient personal to complete the job. I wouldn't want to be the parent who loses a child or the person who loses their house and everything I own because they station that used to be down the block got shut down and the next closest station what several more minutes away. Consequently, allowing time for a fire to get out of control. Bottom line is. That safe feeling we experience during the day and night, the piece of mind we get, and reassurance we have that we rarely acknowledge but enjoy fully is due to these people. Support the firefighters. They are there for you at your worse time. It is the Honorable and righteous thing to do.

March 17, 2016 at 4:32 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would also like to address the writer of this fire history. I hope you keep journals of your experiences. You are a talented writer and one day, your accumulated notes and experiences will be an asset to you. They already are. I don't think anyone else could have expressed so poignantly as you have done. Keep writing. You are very talented. Thank you for expressing yourself even after I so cynically responded with my "Wow" note.

March 17, 2016 at 4:39 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

To Andrew Beliveau,
After 28 years working for the Fire Marshall's Office, retiring in 2010, I could have not said it any better, Thank you for your letter.


Joan Kelley-Davey
H.F.D.-F.M.O.-Retired.

March 17, 2016 at 6:08 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice job Andy.

I wonder if Mayor Bronin realizes what the effects of altering the pensions of HFD would do?
Approximately 100 people will retire immediately. That eliminates most of the experienced people from the job. That eliminates all 8 Deputy Chiefs and their drivers. It eliminates the Chief of Training and the only Captain at the academy. It will eliminate the Fire Marshall, and the Captain of Special Services. It will eliminate the Captain of Strategic Planning and the PIO Captain. Also eliminates the EAP Representative.

The entire Local 760 hierarchy will be gone also. (not such a bad thing)

This will be devastating to the men and women remaining on the job. To have nobody in these positions will be a horrible liability to the FD and the residents of Hartford. Kiss the Class 1 insurance rating goodbye, say hello to higher insurance rates for everyone in Hartford.

The City will be spending a fortune to test for all these positions, and it will take a year to fill them all. In the mean time you will have fill-ins with much less experience. This is a sure fire recipe for firefighters and residents getting killed.

I hope the Mayor can sleep well knowing what is potentially about to happen in June.

March 17, 2016 at 8:03 PM

Blogger KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

8:03PM

you are pretty good at laying out doom and gloom scenario, how about trying some suggestions for the possible solution?

March 17, 2016 at 8:11 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You don't realize what you had till you lose it.Hartford Fire does a good job .You make drastic cuts experienced people leave you don't get them back.You destroy a good functioning department in the stoke of a pen but it will take you years to rehire train and build it back up.The Hartford Fire Department as a whole goes all out for the people of Hartford Maybe for once the people of Hartford should go all out for Hartford Fire.Get out make noise let the mayor know that you need Hartford Fire more than a new baseball field
Also the kid who wrote this open letter told the story well the shortened story but that's the life of a firemen and he's not complaining about it he's just telling his story so maybe just maybe the people will understand just a little bit.

D.Cavallo

March 17, 2016 at 11:24 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you Andrew and all of the women and men at HFD. I work as security in a high rise downtown and have many times been relieved when the truck pulled up to respond to an emergency in the building. I have always been met with a highly professional crew of people very helpful in fact, walked me through my first fire alarm and a person having a heart attack at the same time. I live in the city and am and will remain forever grateful for HFD. Let me also say, Andrew keep writing. Your essay was great to read and thank you Kevin for posting it.

March 18, 2016 at 8:30 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kevin,
I was not laying out doom and gloom. I was stating the truth. These guy could have retired years ago, they stay because they enjoy their job. I'm sorry if you do not like what is coming, but it's not my fault, or yours.
I have no clue how to fix this mess and did not say that I had a plan. I am a high school graduate firefighter in the City of Hartford. I have to make the best choice for myself and my family. If my pension and benefits are getting taken away after I work 25 years to earn them, I have to retire. I believe every member who has enough time to retire is thinking the same thing.
How many times has Engine 5 helped you in the past? That firehouse is one that has is rumored to close. God forbid you need them and you have to wait for another engine to cover them. But alas, you can wait patiently and think to yourself, thank you Mayor Bronin for closing the firehouse to keep the ballpark.
PS, more doom and gloom. One tour equals 70 firefighters on duty every day, Take 100 retirees from that, what effects will that have?

March 18, 2016 at 8:54 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I HAVE READ ANDREW'S LETTER AND THE RECENT COMMENTS FOLLOWING IT.
ONE OF THE ITEMS MENTIONED IS HOW 100 OR SO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD RETIRE IMMEDIATELY IF BRONIN
GOT HIS WAY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN UP AND RE-NEGOTIATE THE EXISTING CONTRACT.
I AGREE WITH THAT....... HOWEVER, RETIRING WONT SAVE YA!! HIS PLAN IS TO CHANGE
ALL THE LANGUAGE IN THE RETIREMENT PACKAGES AS WELL! REGARDLESS OF WHEN OR HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN RETIRED. I AM ONE OF THOSE RETIRED F/F.
THE MAYORS EFFORTS ARE TO TAKE AWAY (THROUGH STATE LEGISLATION) THE PACKAGE I AND EVERY OTHER F/F RETIRED UNDER. SO WHAT YOU WERE TOLD/PROMISED ON RETIREMENT DAY, IS NOT WHAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL GET. AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS OF YOUR SERVICE. SO BEWARE AND BE FOREWARNED!!
..........PRESENT MEMBERS AND EVERY RETIREE SHOULD BE AT THE L.O.B. MONDAY.

March 18, 2016 at 10:27 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

this kid is under 30 and making 87k without overtime must be nice

March 18, 2016 at 11:09 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 11:09, what difference does it matter if he made 87K ? Its not his base salary. Do you know how many extra 24 hour overtime shifts he had to work ? ....and no, his overtime doesn't count in his pension. HFD pensions are based on your base salary at time of retirement.
Now I'm sick and tired of all these moonbeam, I don't get a pension so why should you crybabies !
Firefighters get brutalized. Your thoughts of firefighters sitting around and sipping coffee while looking at their vast stock portfolios are only dreamt up by short sighted beta people who don't have 10 cents to buy a clue.
Whether you're a paramedic, firefighter or police, the following applies :
Who are you going to call when you or your loved ones are having a stroke or a heart attack ?? Mayor Bronin ??
Is Mayor Bronin going to throw ladders up against your building when its on fire at 2am in freezing cold weather ??
When bullets are flying in the hood I highly doubt that the mayor or his sustainability board are going to pour out of a police van with vests and firearms.
That's right....its medics, firefighters and police that save lives under the most distressing conditions.
So unless you're willing to put your life on the line and have the same people that you are responsible for saving, scorn your very existence, stay home and keep watching Fantasy Island.
Kevin you ask for ideas about reform ?
Stop reading the mayors media releases about wanting to work with the unions. He is all about taking a butcher knife to every employee at every level.
Instead of pushing legislation, which if you read every word, gives himself and a board that he appoints complete and total control. Where's any fairness in that ?
The hard working employees did not create this mess. 30+ years of shoddy administrations did.
Instead of putting a knife to the throats of hard working union and non union employees with this legislation, invite every union to the table and work out a long term solution to the financial crisis. Yes, I will admit that some are apprehensive after being screwed over by previous administrations ie: giving concessions only to see the mayors throw huge money to their hired relatives and cronies, but this crisis didn't happen overnight and the solution should be long term also.
As of right now the mayor has declared war on the very employees who had faith in him.
In war, nobody wins

March 18, 2016 at 12:48 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

My life is worth more than 87k but if I have to run into a building to pull you out,I will not think twice about it,let's not forget that it was in a overworked understaffed department with young firefighters with little or no experience where ff bell was lost and others hurt,let's ask them or the bell family if 87k was worth it ?

March 18, 2016 at 1:45 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

87k is his base.. and the city needs to get ride of a whole fire house along with outsourcing of paramdeic calls. Hartford has the highest public saftey presence per residents in the country for a city its size.

http://m.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20140411/NEWS01/140419980/hartford-public-safety-presence-among-nation

March 18, 2016 at 2:35 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

May I weigh in here? First, no one is taking away anyone's pension. Adjustments, yes. Why? Because Hartford can no longer afford to give out pay, pensions, medical, social services, school rebuilds like as if building new edifices was going to magically bring up test scores after spending one billion over 20 years. Not the way these benefits were given in the past. There simply is not enough revenue to pay. So to the fire personal who are rightfully worried, I say, suave, bro. The pain is being shared whether you are a city employee or a small business.

Guess what? All those political leaders who constently advocated for more financial resources decade after decade did so because it is the easiest way to get reelected. Just tell the folks how you will allocate more on education and it is an automatic reelection. Well, the buck has finally stopped. No more business as usual.

Public Works hasn't quite figured it out yet. They are still wasting thousands of dollars on half-baked projects. To wit, the 5 bumps placed on Brookfield St along the side of a bike path. The chief engineer was warned about creating an opening through the bumps to allow bike riders to ride through. Now, every car veers into the bike lane to avoid the bump on their right side wheels. Guess what. Soon, a bike rider will be injured or killed because of this mess. Kevin, you have repeatedly deleted my story on this and I don't know why. Don't believe me. Ask Southwest NRZ about it. And you know who I am talking about but if I mention the name of the person who has wasted thousands on these projects, you will delete it. Why?

March 18, 2016 at 3:39 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Dimwit 2;35PM. As is typical of the intellectually inept. Why don't you use an article that's less than 2 1/2 years old if you're going to reference something ? Why don't you use statistics that matter, such as safe minimum manning of apparatus or call volume and response times ?? It appears that you are one of the beta manginas that Monday morning quarterbacks everything. Come back when you have facts that are pertinent to the life safety to the citizens of the City of Hartford. By the way, the base salary for the author is not 87K. Call the human resources department if you can remove your head from wherever it is.
For your spew of factually deficient information, you are hereby awarded the Friday Dimwit Award.
Where it proudly. I'm sure there is someone out there who may try to out do you on Saturday.

March 18, 2016 at 3:54 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

First, well said Andy,
As far as pensions go, we pay 8% every week into a pension plan to achieve a benefit that was contracted, promised if you will. That money is invested over our lifetime and the city is supposed to pay in the balance of the monies to keep it solvent. Also for those that do not know, FF do not pay into and are not eligible for social security at the end of the line. If you pay into it from a previous job or second job you pay in at a normal rate, but the benefit you will receive will be greatly reduced. That is just how that is done, therefore the pension is the lions share of your retirement.
Now lets talk about the future and labor in general, many employers in all sectors will tell you one of there biggest challenges is finding and retaining quality dedicated employees. The fire service is a unique field, also challenging and dangerous. It may sound dramatic but you risk your life and health every time you come to work. That is why the wages and benefits are high, the stakes can be high. If you are a bread winner for a family, your not only risking your future but the future of your wife and kids. Think about what that really is?
Big problems right now with no easy solutions, but if you cut all the perks out of these jobs or the cops, what will you get for fireman and cops in the future, sure you can leverage the guys in it now, but as a Mayor or other official you need to plan for the security of the "City" for future generations. Who will be your fireman or cop tomorrow. There are many savings that can be achieved wages can be frozen, but leave the benefits alone.
Also know the problems weren't created overnight, you won't be able to fix it immediately. We all know if you cut the pensions and the manning and the wages, that if the city comes back around you won't be opening any contracts to increase wages or benefits. All remember there are no COLA's in a FF pension.

March 18, 2016 at 7:53 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bronin , your running scared because of pension payouts and shortages of manning. why don't you look into a "Drop Pension" system where you lock the pension of a retiree and hire them back as workers. Give you some time to get finances in line and pension money is escrowed gaining interest for the fund and the worker. You could fill those vacancies with skilled experienced people. Many other CT FD's do it. look into it.
I might think about coming back. All those about to exit would not loose and you still could use them on the line.

March 18, 2016 at 8:05 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bronin you want suggestions, you need to fill spots but got no money, how about exploring a "Drop Pension" program. Retirees from Police and fire lock their pensions but defer pension payments that are held in escrow, builds interest for the retiree and the fund and you get to keep experienced people to fill vacancies immediately. You might buy some time to get finances in line. I might come back, sure a lot of those guys ready to exit would love to do that. Lot of fire departments in CT have such programs in place and it seems to work, don't know about cops.

March 18, 2016 at 8:10 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

If the city cut the entire budget of Police and Fire it wouldn't solve the problem. Why? Because Police and Fire aren't the problem. The problem is City management and lies. The lie is how bad the situation really isn't. That is why he wants the state to allow him to do whatever he wants without the burden of proof. Yes there are problems, but if they were as bad as Bronin says they are he would have proof to back it up. There is no proof that the pension fund can't be sustained. The city unions have a pension board that keeps track of the money and we have not been alerted that the sky is falling. It's funny that you don't here the Mayor suggesting that non public service persons be eliminated from the fund.

March 18, 2016 at 8:58 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you close a fire house? How does that solve anything? A fire truck still has to respond to the medical and fire calls which puts miles, wear and tear on the fire truck that has too respond. Then what happens when your engines are out on medicals and dispatch goes be advised we have 1 engine and 1 truck left. Then a box comes in and you have units on 91,84 and half way across the city out of their first due area for training or fuel what do you do or say ? i know theres mututal aid agreements but you cant always hope west or east hartford get there. Sometimes I wonder why the fire department sends the tact on every single call only for it to get dismissed half way there. Sometimes i wonder why they send a engine to drug overdose where the 10-10 is usually there way before the fire department. But the biggest pet peevee of mine is that they send a full assignment at night to an adress they go to all the time where the caller reports the alarms have been going off for 30+ minutes. It usually turns out to be held one engine one truck. Too bad we dont have fire chief John B.Stewart. he would of helped you guys figure this out. Good luck

LOCAL 760 strong

March 18, 2016 at 9:23 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You must not work in the north end. The 10-10's, (code for ambulance) are slow as hell. Especially on Sunday mornings. Why did it take the ambulances so long to get to that double fatal fire we had about a year ago? AMR should be investigated.

March 18, 2016 at 9:59 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

@8:58 Remember when Kathleen Palm was Treasurer and the federal govt ordered the pension fund to pay out or be fined because the fund had made too much money? What changed between then and now? You're right, I haven't heard anything from the pension board stating that they could not meet their obligations. The city on the other hand, seems like they failed to make their commitment.

March 18, 2016 at 10:07 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fantastic job Andrew..can use that as a dissertation for grad school.

Thank you to the HFD men and women. I'm proud to be working next to you all.

You are dearly missed over at the Clark Street house... One of the best and hardworking house's in the city.

Keep up the good work my friends.

From

Police & Fire Association VP

March 19, 2016 at 2:23 AM

Anonymous Jane, NREMT-P said...

As a paramedic in the city of Hartford, I witness these men and women go above and beyond every day. They are an integral part of this city not falling into chaos. I am proud to work with each and every one and support their right for what is right and necessary and for the best. Thank you for your srrvice

March 20, 2016 at 9:33 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOOK HERE DOPEY,
READ IT AGAIN, I SAID TAKE AWAY THE RETIREMENT "PACKAGE". I SAID IT 2X.
WHEN A PERSON (LIKE YOU) DECIDES TO USE WORDS LIKE "MAKE ADJUSTMENTS", YOU ARE TAKING
AWAY THE RETIREMENT "PACKAGE"THAT WAS AGREED UPON. THE PACKAGE IS INCLUSIVE.
DO YOU SKIP WORDS WHEN YOU READ SENTENCES? GLAD I COULD EDUCATE YOU.

March 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who will represent the many hundreds of retirees (some 60-70)years old?) at any negotiating table, where is our voice? I will tell you.... NOBODY!! NOWHERE!!

For a group of politicians to arbitrarily renege on contracts /promises without consequence is immoral at best.... But even worse on retired old men... Why do we never see a politician losing their salary. (Unless of course they go to jail which is not often enough). Why do most politicians go into office middle class and leave multi- rich? Because they did such a swell job?..... Why do their families never suffer? And who is RESPONSIBLE for the fiscal mess? Firefighters? This is B.S.
I am retired fire, I have already paid my dues and thankfully made it out of a couple jams. I made calculating decisions after several decades to decide when I was able to (afford to) retire.
Now Bronin wants to change it all through state legislation ..... The KING has spoken.
Again , we have no unions or a validated fighter in our name. So screw you old timers!
And for all you youngsters, who say tough #@^*, maybe someday this will happen to your parents.
Then they can move in with you.

March 20, 2016 at 5:28 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said...

regarding the late ambulance on that double fatal..next time get them out quicker. If not then, tell all your neighbors to stop calling 911 for BS issues, cold n flu and taxi rides. We may have more units available then.

March 21, 2016 at 4:00 PM

Blogger Unknown said...

I retired from the H.F.D and began my career in 1960. I was a Officer with Local 760.
during most of those years, the City worked under the City Manager Type of Government.
The city of Htfd. was blessed with two city Mangers. Carlton Sharpe and Eily Freedman.
The city budgets passed and it seemed back then that most of the city Departments were
functioning very well.The voters of the City favored a new type of Government and adopted the Strong Mayor Type of Government. Then things began to change and i think it was the start of the down hill slide and perhaps is a reason which has brought us to the problems of today.
Perhaps it could be an idea to change back to the City Mana
ger Type of Government.

July 12, 2018 at 4:02 PM

Blogger Unknown said...

during the attack in New York City last year when the p/u truck killed those on the walkway
last year. All those working the scene did an outstanding job the only problem was not
ENOUGH AMBULANCES were not available because they were all tied up with the shit calls Tooth Ache, can not sleep, bad dream, etc)

July 12, 2018 at 4:08 PM

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