Comments on: Firefighter quits union after charges are brought over volunteering. The story of Michael Schaffer in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

By: pete

pete — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:46:17 +0000

let firemen be firemen. It shouldnt matter what local it is, or who the mayor of the neighboring town is, or who the fire chief is, or how many members are whatever. We all want to do the same job. we joined to help as much as we can and unfortunately we are sometimes stopped for the worst reasons.

By: not a fireman

not a fireman — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:00:43 +0000

I’m just a taxpayer who wants to get what I pay for. If I have paid for your training and/or continuing education stay in my neighborhood. If I pay for your insurance stay healthy, don’t go and get yourself hurt on your day off on my dime. I don’t care if your are paid or not but choose one. Those of us who live in areas with union departments do so for a reason, and we pay for it. Those who don’t make that choice for themselves. Please stop giving my investment away.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:36:54 +0000

HEY PROUD TO BE A IAFF BROTHER!

All I have to say is AMEN BROTHER!

By: JT

JT — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:26:48 +0000

Resolution 2 directs the IAFF to delete Article XV, Section 3 and insert a new subsection to the list of defined misconduct as “working a secondary job part-time, paid on call, volunteer or otherwise as a firefighter, emergency medical services worker, public safety or law enforcement officer, or as a worker in a related service, whether in the public or private sector, where such job is within the work jurisdiction of any affiliate or which adversely impacts the interests of any affiliate or the IAFF.

By: Pround to be an IAFF Brother

Pround to be an IAFF Brother — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:19:38 +0000

After reading the story and comments regarding Michael Schaffer and Local 2663, I wanted to weigh in with my thoughts. I know my opinion will not be popular with some, but I applaud Cherry Hill Firefighters Local 2663 for their decision to enforce the IAFF’s by-laws. Mr. Schaffer knew when he took his job it would entail joining the local and that by being part of the IAFF, there was a possibility that he would be prohibited from volunteering. Being shocked is tantamount to taking out an adjustable rate mortgage on a new house and being shocked that your payments went up because the prime rate increased.

I am not going to digress into attacks against volunteers, but I will simply state that, I wish more locals would uphold Resolution 2. If you don’t agree with it, don’t be a member of the IAFF. It’s just that simple!

Good job to the brothers and sisters of Local 2663! I hope other locals will follow your example.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:45:57 +0000

Good luck trying to get workmans comp or heart&lung if your employer finds out you are volunteering elsewhere. Especially if you can’t prove the injury or illness occurred while you were working.

By: JR

JR — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:08:57 +0000

While everyone is debating about the decision Michael made, and how Joe is the bad guy. The real trouble makers just sit back, read all this nonsense and laugh. The Voorhees Career Staff are the root of all this mess. I don’t see any of them on here making any statements or opinons.

By: Weekly Digest for March 8th

Weekly Digest for March 8th — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:03:58 +0000

[...] Shared Firefighter quits union after charges are brought over volunteering. The story of Michael Schaffer i…. [...]

By: DCFD

DCFD — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:45:15 +0000

Listen to All. Bones does what he does not because he likes taking jobs away from people because he has a passion for the job. As it was put in the article the shop steward from Winslow states:
“we need all the help we can get being a single engine that covers 52 square miles. I would like to thank my brother firefighters for watching our backs”.
Not to mention Winslow is not hiring anybody for the next year due to their budget failing. On top of that we are all forgetting were we started. We all were vol.s at first and some of us are forgetting this. So let’s not knock those guys who aren’t on the job/ in the union. It’s not like they don’t work for a living as well. I’m sure they all have full time jobs doing what ever and they still vol. on top of that so these types of guys / women including bones has my support.

By: MG

MG — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:55:57 +0000

Wayne, A lot of paid “professional” firefighters in this area were or still are volunteers so your comments contradict themselves. As far as brotherhood , you don’t know the meaning. You would rather have another firefighter die from lack of support because of a union by law. You surely do not know the meaning of brotherhood!!! You are a prime example of a robotic union drone (controlled by high salaries and benefits) who cannot comprehend that not all Americans can afford your salaries and still believe in helping their fellow neighbor without financial gain. Mike is the prime example of what all Americans should strive to be and stand up for what they believe in.
MG