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Threat issue's proximity to vote is suspicious

Re: Threat limits female fire duty, story, Sept. 20, and Female firefighters back on full duty, story, Sept. 22.

The recent allegation that a firefighter threatened a female Clearwater firefighter for expressing a desire to quit the union is serious and unacceptable. I will say that this union board does not have any knowledge of any threat, stands beside all of our brother and sister firefighters, and will not tolerate this threat or any threat on our members.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, an e-mail was sent from Clearwater fire Chief Jamie Geer in which he expressed "complete disgust" regarding the alleged threat and issued the directive "effective immediately, and until further notice, no female firefighters are allowed to enter interior firefighting operations." Monday morning, Sept. 19, Chief Geer held a news conference to speak out on the allegations, as vague as they were, with absolutely no details.

An interesting point is that the allegation, news conference and actions of Chief Geer came within days of a union vote of no confidence regarding Chief Geer. Additionally, a barrage of e-mails from Chief Geer, who rarely writes to the uniformed personnel, ran the spectrum. They ranged from drawing support to himself, to perceived threats on named union board officials, and finally, to instilling fear in many fire personnel by stating, "We have moved another step toward alternatives to providing fire protection and EMS services," meaning job loss.

The union membership voted, and 72 percent had no confidence in his ability to safely lead the department.

Forty-eight hours after the directive was issued and 12 hours after the vote was tallied, and without the media hype, another e-mail was sent lifting the directive. Women were allowed to again enter burning buildings. The union's female firefighters were happy to hear that they could again perform the job they enjoy doing.

But questions remain as to how he could suddenly lift a directive after such severe allegations. What happened to the threat? Was it found to be false? Why with such sketchy details was a news conference necessary, and what purpose did it serve? Could we expect another news conference to re-establish the professionalism and credibility our department has lost due to his actions? For the answers to these questions and more, one would have to ask Chief Geer. However, he couldn't be reached for comment.

Is City Manager Bill Horne comfortable with this? His comments: "I assume, from the young ladies' reaction, that the threat is less viable" and "I don't want the city to be perceived ... to be crying wolf." That, indeed, is a bold statement.

Regarding the vote of no confidence in Chief Geer's abilities, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard said, "The vote is simply a public statement, which won't change the minds of city leaders." He added, "I think we're disappointed there was a vote to start with, but the important thing is that there's only one vote in the city, and that's from the administration, and we have full confidence in our fire chief." Genuine concerns from his city firefighters directed to him - discredited without discussion. Close-minded? Yes. Biased? Absolutely. Professional? No. A good quality of leadership? Definitely not.

Our union local is a group of professional firefighters with varied interests and beliefs. Together we work side by side rendering aid to the public in its time of need. For a 24-hour period we eat, talk, train, sleep and care for each other, not unlike your own family. Considering the atmosphere that we live in, a threat to one's safety we do not take lightly.

To my fellow firefighters: Whatever your positions are, together we will be strong and with understanding we will learn. With good communications any problems can be addressed and solved.

Threat story attempt to discredit union

Re: Threat limits female fire duty, story, Sept. 20, and Female firefighters back on full duty, story, Sept. 22.

Here we go again: another attempt by city administrators to undermine the officers of the Clearwater firefighters union. This is one of the most shallow attempts by fire Chief Jamie Geer and City Manager Bill Horne to discredit the hard work done by the members of the Clearwater firefighters union.

Supposedly, two women discussed leaving the union, and word made it out, and they were confronted by other union members. If members had made comments about leaving the union, it probably would have been known and therefore wouldn't be anonymous.

For once I agree with Mr. Horne, who was quoted as saying, "I don't believe our female firefighters made this up." But I do believe this was contrived by Chief Geer to undermine the union a few days before the vote of no confidence in him was to be counted. He knew the "silent majority" he had hoped for was not there and, in fact, the union is still strong. This was evident in the recent vote where 72 percent of the members voted "no confidence" in Chief Geer's abilities to lead the department.

I feel there is a reason why the Clearwater Police Department has decided not to investigate the "threat," and it has nothing to do with anyone not cooperating.

On the city's Web site, Chief Geer says, "What I enjoy most is the sense of pride when people belong to a fire service organization where employees are happy to come to work and perform their best," and "Leadership skills and experience don't mean anything if your team members won't line up behind you and say, "OK, let's go.' For me, that's priority No. 1."

If this were true, Chief Geer would be a lot less adversarial, and maybe then 72 percent of his employees would be willing to line up behind him and move forward. That many people can't be wrong.

To all you hard-working, professional firefighters in the Clearwater Fire Department, keep it up. Oh, and welcome back ladies!

Fire departments want more and more

Re : Union calls for vote on fire chief's leadership, story, Sept. 2.

I was relieved to see the new fire chief in Clearwater is trying to bring a more professional attitude and maybe a more professional group (if the union will let him) to the Fire Department.

His comment that he must "cleanse our organization of the disgraceful and incompetent behavior" surely will be met with denials and plenty of letters from friends and families denying there are any problems.

Unfortunately, many will be from women, the latest target of opportunity from some firefighters. Clearwater firefighters "won't protect a woman in the next structure fire," because some of them want to vote for different union representation. Now please understand that is not all firefighters, but what makes it sickening is that the "others" won't stand up against a "brother," and the union certainly supports that stance.

Now add in the Seffner-Mango fiasco (No More Calls: Seffner-Mango fire station closes, story, Sept. 20). Can you imagine a fire department that costs the taxpayers few if any dollars being closed? The dismissal of free (volunteer) firefighters? And a paid firefighter did it!

Well, now the public may start getting an inkling of what's really happening across the land with our fire departments. They want more, more, more - more staff, more benefits, more equipment, more money, more power to the unions, more everything! How are you going to argue with that? It could be you in an accident or your property on fire. That's what they tell us anyway.

Following my previous letter to the editor (Firefighters, please stop the complaining and just do your job, Aug. 21), one firefighter recommended that I "ride along" to get to understand these firefighters. Well, I coincidentally work every day with police, fire and EMS personnel, and most are very dignified, loyal, hard-working employees. So that offer won't be necessary, but what is necessary is for we the people to stop being run over roughshod by a few thugs and union members who forget why they are there in the first place.

Another person wrote that I was being "hypocritical" for asking that wives, mothers, retired firefighters and other people associated with the firefighters stop writing in from places like Spring Hill, East Lake or wherever to argue for a new contract for those brave, loyal professionals in Clearwater. It didn't slow down any of those people from writing, and I guess when the Fire Department butters your bread, right or wrong, moral or immoral, legal or illegal, it's "my" fire department, and they are never going to wake up and smell the coffee.

Let me repeat my very first initial mantra to those disgruntled firefighters: Get another job!

[Last modified September 27, 2005, 17:09:46]