Connecticut's PBFD to lay off 9 FFs

[Bxboro]

The judge went on to say "At least one witness for the firefighters- the retired Hartford deputy chief-insisted there was not a moment to lose. He refused to acknowledge that a lower risk of fires means lower risk to firefighters. To him firefighters who respond to 1 major fire a year have just as much a chance of being hurt as those who respond to a 100 major fires a year. This is like saying a man playing Russian Roulette faces greater risk by pulling the trigger 5 times does by pulling it once. Besides violating high school math lessons about permutations, this approach defies common sense. It is not a sound basis for judicial decision making". (referring to the request of the Union for an emergency injunction preventing the layoffs). Unbelievable !!!

 

[nfd2004]

Over a year and a half has gone by now and those 9 firefighters continue to be laid off. Three on duty guys man the firehouse with one engine.

  There was once a ladder truck that was manned by one or two firefighters. That ladder truck is no longer manned.

  There was once a second firehouse with an engine manned by two firefighters. That engine company is no longer there and the firehouse has closed down.

  The Chief of Department has announced retirement and it is believed that he will be replaced by an individual who was once an Asst Chief of a state college facility and charged with violation of ethics by the State of Connecticut's Ethics Commission for accepting a free trip for himself and his family. There was never any job advertised or any search of possible candidates for the chiefs position.

  A judge recently ruled that their contract can be broken. I believe the reason being that this is a fire district and not a municipality.

  The fire commission made up of a small group of individuals is the controlling power.

  Those nine laid off firefighters unemployment benefits have ended, and their medical insurance is cancelled.

  As you can guess, the moral of those that still have jobs has reached the bottom.

  We have a very good, outstanding member, of this site who is one of those firefighters who still has a job.