Banned in Roanoke
One of my great joys and, at the same time, great disappointments, was a brief bit of video taken by photographer Keith Williams at a Fairfax County fire station in February when two firefighters were missing in New Hampshire. It showed a firefighter reading STATter 911. A great joy because I was very pleased that firefighters were turning to us for important information. A great disappointment because apparently STATter 911 was so bland those in charge saw no need to ban us from the fire stations.
Not the case for the website RoanokeFire.Com. Lt. Rhett Fleitz is reporting, his boss, Roanoke’s fire chief, has banned the site.
Rhett Fleitz is also the secretary/treasurer of IAFF Local 1132 and has VAFireNews.com. Back in April, Fleitz was in the news speaking out against department budget cuts.
We have emailed Chief David Hoback in an effort to learn more about the ban. We will keep you informed.
Here is part of Rhett’s message posted today on the site. Click here for the rest.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Roanoke Fire Blog Banned By Chief
I guess the most interesting thing about this blog being banned by the Chief is that it is being banned right now. I have covered very interesting topics in the past that have not had the same effect. Do not misunderstand me, a ban was not my intent.
I still maintain that this blog is positive and shows the unadulterated opinion of the Firefighters of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. An attempt to cover up this shows that certain people have blinders on.
Not every Firefighter embraces this blog or the thoughts on the site. However, those are the ones who read it the most to see what is said next.
If you remember back to the beginning of the blog, I brought news, fires, and history to the forefront. It was only when I finally realized that I could do more with the blog that I decided to add commentary and opinion. Unfortunately, some people did not like this.
I still contend that this department needs significant change. Blocking this blog from City Computers isn’t going to change anything. Similarly, nothing is going to change in the department until certain people are realize it.
One ironic twist is that the person who banned this blog is also the person so many Firefighters saw as a catalyst for change. No dice. When the sword changed hands, even he continued to slash at the morale and backbone of this department.
One thing is for sure, either I work in a make believe department or he does. The stories, comments, thoughts, and ideas I hear from our Firefighters cannot be the same that he hears.
Chief David Hoback from RoanokeVa.gov
Lt. Rhett Fleitz from VaFireNews.com
FireGeezer is already providing his perspective on the blog ban. I am guessing Bill is just trying to get his site banned in Roanoke.
