• Are Fire Department Budget Reductions Going to Reduce Your Love of the Job?

  Filed under Uncategorized
  Jul 23

  As firefighters, we always hear about watching the Department’s budget.  We use equipment that may be new,or 20+ years old.  We roll with the punches.  We do the job that we have chosen because we love it.  If we wanted to make a lot of money we would have taken another test.  We will not become “pocket rich” in the fire service.  We will be rich in friendship, memories, and accomplishments.  You know where I am coming from. 

  So, with that said, how disheartening is to hear that departments all over are having to cut budgets.  Mayors, council people, trustees, and municipal officials are telling fire chiefs to cut the budget!  Some by 20% or more.  This is a job (Chief) that none of you want right now.  We blame politicians, bankers, investors, administration, chiefs, blah, blah, blah.  Who do we blame?  We want to pin it on someone.  The President?  Current or past?  We all of a sudden are trying to point fingers.  Maybe we as each individual had something to do with it also?!?  Maybe we as firefighters and “Protectors of the Public” should just suck it up and be happy.  Happy that we may still have a job for now, or happy we took the test that we did.  I don’t know the answer. 

  What I do know is that firefighters have to stay strong.  As budgets drop, call numbers go up.  As resources diminish, the amount of help needed increases.  We are the fix all!  And we do it!  Every BS call may be another “Chapter in the Book”.

  Budgets are being squeezed tight, but are our hearts for the job we love being squeezed also????

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