Comments on: Quick Takes

By: JBrown

JBrown — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:44:39 +0000

Also to clear things up the movie was made at home on his time. We are not allowed on internet unless it’s fire related materials, which is fine by all of us. The work place is not the right place to play online. Thanks.

By: oldhead

oldhead — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:28:34 +0000

MJS hit the nail on the head. For you union bashers, this is what working in a Right to Work State looks like. It’s a hell of a misnomer because the only right an employee has is the right to be fired by management for ANY reason. I don’t know all the facts of this case, I’ve only seen what was posted on this website but if he has the resources, this Firemedic should get a Civil Rights attorney and sue the living crap out of Colleton County Fire-Rescue, Barry McRoy (Fire-Rescue Director), and Colleton County government for violation of his First Amendment rights. At the very least he’ll get his job back with back pay and benefits, at the most, Colleton County will make him a very wealthy man…

By: dave statter

dave statter — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:44:24 +0000

I think I have confused the issue for some of you. Fireman Mike, to my knowledge, is not the creation of Jason Brown the firefighter who was let go in Colleton County, SC. I used that as an example of the text-to-movie type videos from xtranormal.com that many of us have seen with this same animated firefighter figure. I posted that video before I realized Jason Brown’s creation was also available.

The Firefighter Mike episode on the abuse of 911 is relatively tame. I think the most profane word it uses is ass.

The language in Jason Brown’s creation seems to be more likely to offend people. I do not know the cirumstances on where it was made (home or work).

Hope this clears things up.

Statter

By: JBrown

JBrown — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:14:08 +0000

how does DR.WARD refer to anyone in particular. If it was DR. Smith would we know who that was. The movie was made off duty at his home. It was only posted on FB which would mean it was only shared with his friends. Also the policy for termination pretty much says they can fire him for just about anything they feel like.

By: Texas Gordo

Texas Gordo — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:55:05 +0000

Dave,

Can you find out if Fireman Mike did this on duty and used real names?

If he created this outside of work, I would be shocked that a department could find a city attorney that would have approved the termination. It seems to have 1st Amendment protection written all over it.

I would love it if all of us good old boy firemen were defended by the ACLU. Oh the irony.

I sure do miss the days when fire departments were concerned with putting out fires.

Fireman Mike needs to sharpen his script, but that is my only complaint.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:08:41 +0000

If I was this guy I’d find a good civil rights lawyer and sue the department for violation of his right to free speach an his own time. I’ts bullshit what Major Companies and Civil Service Orgs. can get away with and the adverage joe lets them. Take a stand FIGHT for your right to speak ur mind off the job, or let’s just turn this contry into a communist contry, after all that’s what it seems like we’re stating to look an act like.

By: BG

BG — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:08:22 +0000

Well Dave social networking rears it ugly side…. again.

I think we need to hear the whole story about the case. Was this movie made while on duty? IT can track your computer history people, if on duty, how is representing the department? Is this the only video made by this guy? I am not saying he made more than one but there are a bunch of these text-to-movie videos on youtube, but this guy used FB with his real name and admits to day-to-day operations which drove the storyline.

These videos are yes quite funny to us who work in fire or EMS, but in the big picture (outside world) they are completely unprofessional, vulgar and disrespectful to others.

He does mention a doctors name, so that directly links him to a specific individual. I have represented a few union firefighters over the years and after reading this guys disciplinary policy, he is stuck… why, it was posted on his FaceBook page, he admits to making it, and he states a name, so it is a justifiable termination under his departments policy.

Policy, 15.3A (12) which states, Inmoral, unlawful or improper conduct or indecency, either on or off the job, which would tend to affect the employee’s relationship to his or her job, fellow workers, supervisor, reputation or goodwill in the community.

That is just (one) subpart of this department’s policy, which also states you could be terminated for any of them.

By: The Bandwagon….the new age is upon us – The Fire Critic

The Bandwagon….the new age is upon us – The Fire Critic — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:21:05 +0000

[...] FireGeezer gives his synopsis here and Dave Statter offers some words on the project here. [...]

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:41:31 +0000

I was a professional firefighter in Baltimore for 30 years… You would not believe what people call 911 for….. I see nothing wrong with the video…YEA! Fireman MIKE!

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:13:53 +0000

If the fireman had been black, and the doctor had been caucasion there would be absolutely no issue. As soon as I saw the characters, I already knew how it would be interpreted. It’s so sad that you can’t have a sense of humor anymore.