Union official: Firefighters didn't stage a 'sickout' to avoid training
Letters to the EditorPublished May 25, 2006
Re: "Sickout' for fire training suspected, story, May 16.
We find ourselves again needing to respond to the Times' sensationalized and inaccurate reporting.
Doug Matthews, spokesperson for City Hall, said 18 firefighters reported sick on May 6. The official roster for that day shows eight people on personal sick leave, two on family sick leave, two others on special leave, one on light duty after surgery, and one on work-related injury as was one of the eight utilizing personal sick leave.
Mr. Matthews went on to say 12 firefighters reported sick on May 13. The official roster for that day reports three firefighters on personal sick leave and three on family sick leave; one of the personal days was a work-related injury.
The roster shows 16 firefighters off sick over the two days, not 30 as stated by Mr. Matthews. Mr. Matthews reported 30 firefighters missed "compulsory training." Only three of the 16 off over two days were scheduled to train with their assigned companies. The department has never mandated this as "compulsory training."
Training is and has always been a priority to firefighters. Let's not forget it is the firefighters whose lives are on the line. Clearwater firefighters are responsible for bringing hazardous materials training to the department through the International Association of Fire Fighters. Firefighters are responsible for initiating a physical agility test for prehires.
Firefighters initiated and implemented a seven-week recruit firefighter academy. They make it successful by working above their 54-hour workweek off duty as instructors in this program. While in the absence of a training chief, firefighters developed a Standard Evolutions Manual for training all personnel.
City Manager Bill Horne reported in 2002 firefighters averaged more than 271 hours of on-duty training for that year. After the firing of Training Chief Gordon Yaudes, the training division lacked leadership due to the department's inability to hire a training chief. Firefighters maintained the continued education of all personnel.
The Times continues to rehash the Dolphin Cove fire. It was the firefighters who initiated the review and technical report on that fire by the United States Fire Administration. Critiques, lessons learned and lessons reinforced are valuable training tools.
It was the lack of consistency and continuity that plagues the Fire Department. In the past 10 years, 25 chiefs have separated from the department. Half were forced out. In the past five years, 20 personnel have left the Prevention Division, including two fire marshals and three assistant fire marshals. Many of these personnel were hired and fired under Horne's tenure.
The only consistency in the Fire Department is its firefighters' unwavering desire to serve the citizens.
Jim Carino, vice president, fire union Local 1158 Dogs on leash are safer, more likely to be under controlThis letter is in response to several articles or letters concerning dogs on Dunedin Causeway, dogs in restaurants, dogs in city parks and dog beaches.
I have spent a lot of time making parks and beaches pet-friendly. During the course of many city meetings, the only really negative response was about dog owners - or should I say irresponsible dog owners - who fail to follow the most simple rules: Keep your pets leashed when in a city park and pick up after your pets, as they cannot pick up after themselves. It only takes a handful of irresponsible folks to ruin what others hold dear.
When you let your dogs run loose in a city park, one, you have no control over them and, two, you are asking for trouble. When I walk my dogs on leash and another dog is running loose, the dogs on leash feel defenseless, as they are confined to a 6-foot area. Even if the unleashed dog is friendly, it is dangerous. What if they run off and into the street? Who would you blame, the driver?
As far as dog-friendly restaurants are concerned, if dog owners follow the rules, I think it will work. However, again, there will always be someone who feels he or she is above the rules. I, for one, would probably not take my dogs, as they would be begging and would want to visit those nice people with food on their plates!
While it bothers me that some folks are blind about picking up after their pets, I am trying not to let that bother me too much. Life is just too short. However, allowing dogs to run off leash in nondesignated areas does worry me a lot. Why? Let me share a story.
When I was 8 years old, I lost my German shepherd dog, Princess. One day my mom did not wake me up for school. I thought, "Yeah, no school." Well, the reason was that my mom didn't know how to tell me that our dog had been killed the night before by an unsuspecting driver. We let her run loose. I shall never forget that day.
Readers, please, if you let your dogs run loose, think about this story. A leash is a small price to pay to ensure the safety of your pet. I doubt that any of you would enjoy telling your children a similar story,
Nancy Dively, Tarpon Springs Clearwater receives kudos for Out of the Blue Art ShowAs a visual artist working in Sarasota, I was very impressed with the generosity of the awards, one of which I was fortunate to receive, given at the Out of The Blue Art Show held May 19-21 at the Harborview Center in Clearwater. In speaking with Margo Walbolt from the Parks and Recreation Department, I was informed that more than one-half of the money was given by the city and city-related organizations.
I compliment you on your support of the visual artist. With such support, I'm sure the arts will flourish in Clearwater.
Ruth Hook Colby, Nokomis