To the rest,
Why don’t we focus on watching each others backs at work, do our jobs the best we can, go home safe to our families and friends, and make the best of what we have. The legal issues will come out in the wash, city council will continue to do what they do and the administration will do what they think is right. Weather we agree with it or not it is the way it will be. There is no way you can have over 2000 members agree to everything that goes on. There is also no way for us to challenge what is taking place weather we want to or not. So for now, until things change, keep your head up and be proud to be a DC Firefighter/Officer because we all know when it comes to push and shove we are STILL the best at what we do and will continue to be the best regardless of what goes on between city council and the administration.

How about this? Are you getting the training you needn does your gear protect you like it should, is the equipment in decent shape, are the firehouses in decent shape, are the the firefighters and officers competent?

WHAT ARE REAL PROBLEMS?

Thanks for checking in and thanks for the update. I wasn’t that familiar with the Ellerbe story and it’s been interesting to read all the comments. One thing I will say about Chief Ellerbe that I know, he is a smart man and knows the books. He would not make a move like this if there was any doubt of ligitimacy. It’s also interesting to me that his leave of absence is being challenged when so many have used this in the past to maintain the maximun retirement possible. I’m sure if an honest assessment were to be rendered, it would be found to have many Ellerbe’s on the books.

But to set the record straight for some and informing for others especiially Bobby, I’ll be transparent here. I’ll start at the promotion.

At the time of my promotion to Sergeant, I was already on the list for promotion and Interim-Chief Tippett made the desision to promote dispite the DC Manual that stated a fire fighter could not be promoted while on sick leave. He made that decision I believe becuase he believed: 1. that I would make it back to full duty. 2. He believed it was the right thing to do, considering the circumstance. And as a result of him making that decision there were other chiefs who were on sick leave and got promoted as a result. When I took the Lieutenant’s exam I was actually working at the Fire Academy, I passed the exam, did well on my assessment exam and was placed in a promotable position on the list. When the initial promotions came out I was passed over and had to have legal and local 36 representation in order to get my Lieutenants promotion. Even after I received my promotion it almost a year before I recieved my pay.

By doing so, there was a change made on the books that would allow “any firefighter” the opportunity for a one time promotion while in a sick leave status. Which again allowed for other members of the department a chance to take an exam and get promoted despite being on sick leave caused by injury incurred on the job. So, God forbid that you Bobby, would be injured at a time of promotion or exam, but if that were the case thank God you would have the opportunity take the exam and possibly get promoted. Sounds like you have the “HOOK-UP”.

As far as my pay status, it’s really no one’s business, but Anonymous was correct in his/her explaination. I was origianly retired with 70% of 70% of my pay, which resulted in a gross income of $31,500 per year. After I “GOT HOOKED-UP, LOOKED AFTER, what ever you want to call it.” I receieved approximately another 10,000. There is also the stigma of only being able to make the equalvilent income of a Lieutenant before my disability annuity is challenged and decreased.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything that my legal staff, the local and all the members who have prayed and fought on my behalf have done for me, and what I’m receiving in order to provide for my family. God is providing for my needs and has given me more abundantly, peace.

There are so many things that I have witnessed in my time on the DC Fire Department, whites against blacks, blacks against whites, good ol boy clicks, test cheating, answer giving, favortism, but finally ultimate sacrifice.

When it’s all said and done, who wins and who loses…. we all will lose if we continue to finger point and fight against each other rather than for and with each other.

God Bless all the families that have been affected by the loss of loved ones, early retirements and disabilities, I’m truly sorry that you had to experience this.

As much as I would have liked to have stayed on the DC Fire Department and imparted what knowledge I have,but there was a target on my back, (God Bless you Chief Thompson), I am even more thankful to be in the place that I am, in peace with my Lord Jesus.

God Bless you ALL