Even with the WSAD blaring and blinking, FossilMedic can’t resist brushing up against the third rail
Whenever I start seeing “whereas” written a bunch of times, my eyes start to droop and I am out like a rock. I admit it is one of my weaknesses as a reporter. I looked at the latest document on two-hatters that came out of the IAFF convention, but I apparently don’t have the mental capacity to follow the resolutions that come from parliamentary procedure. At least that’s my excuse for avoiding writing about this controversial issue. Maybe I am just gutless.
Not so, my friend Mike Ward. Mike has a reputation for writing about hot topics and asking questions others are too timid to ask. That was an assessment this evening from an admirer of Mike’s who had taken one of his classes a number of years ago. Of course, when you take on these issues, not everyone has as charitable a view of you.
On Firegeezer today, the FossilMedic provided his analysis of the topic of IAFF members who are also volunteers. He looks at the initial resolution’s beginnings in Prince George’s County, MD and how it has evolved. Mike has kept a close eye on PGFD through the years, including writing a paper on the battle over ambulance service at Kentland.
Whether you agree with Mike Ward’s views or not, I have found he always makes you think. Just remember, they are his views and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the owners and management of STATter 911.
Let me mention two parts of the column that caught my eye. First of all, I loved his opening line:
Prince George’s County, Maryland, fire/rescue employees and volunteers respond to about 330 incidents every day. Despite impressions left by thewatchdesk and dozens of websites, almost every incident is handled without requiring a police report, firefighter hospitalization or federal inquiry.
I probably should take that as a personal jab of my PGFD coverage, but I won’t. To me, it is what comes next that will likely send some of his critics through the roof:
PG volunteers who worked at DCFD rose to volunteer chief rank at many of the 38 independent PG fire companies. Most were in their 20s and early 30s. A FEW of these two-hatters acted like tin-horn tyrants, using their volunteer authority to jerk around PG career firefighters. These tyrants made administrative, response and operational rules that were demeaning to career staff and affecting the quality of service.
The man who called Kentland the Lindsey Lohan of the fire service, now calls some two-hatter chiefs tin-horn tyrants. Ouch!
The next time I see Mike, I believe I will avoid shaking his hand for fear that at any moment the other hand will be reaching for that third rail.
