Tuesday, August 22, 2017

HARLINGEN FIREFIGHTERS FLUNK F.D. ADMINISTRATION

(The Harlingen Professional Firefighters Association Local 3404 recently conducted a survey of its members. Out of 96 union members, 68 participated in this survey. Three members refused to take the survey for fear of reprisal. Twenty one declined to participate. Four junior personnel where not included in this survey. Non union member where also not included in this survey. Non union member where also not included in the survey. Julio Zetina, the president of the local association, presented a copy of this survey to the Harlingen City Manager and the City commissioners. Excerpts of the survey results are posted below.) 

1) How would you rate the Fire Administration on safety regarding manpower on the fire ground as it is recommended/required under NFPA 1710?

Total 68: Excellent: 3 Good: 10 Fair: 16 Poor: 39

2.) With the current “Run Card” and the removal of personnel and gear from central station, how confident are you that the Harlingen Fire Department would be able to safely work two structure fires in our response territory?

Total 68: Excellent: 3 Good: 6 Fair: 15 Poor: 44

3.) How would you rate the quality of our apparatus and the condition they're in?
Total 68: Excellent: 2 Good:10 Fair: 37 Poor: 19

4.) How would you rate the quality of Tools and Gear that we use?
Total 68: Excellent: 7 Good:15 Fair: 39 Poor: 7

5.) When units are taken out of service for repair/maintenance, do you feel that we have
adequate Reserve units available to safely respond and work an emergency effectively?
Total 68: Yes: 5 No: 44 Somewhat: 18 I Don’t Know: 1 

6.) Do you feel that the fire department/City has an interest in you (the employee)?
Total 68: Yes: 8 No: 37 Somewhat: 20 Don’t know: 3

7.) How would you describe the overall morale of our fire department?
Total 68: Excellent: 0 Good: 7 Fair: 23 Poor: 38

8.) Do you feel that you're encouraged by your supervisors to reach your personal career goals?
Total 68: Yes: 29 No: 15 Somewhat: 22 Don’t know: 2

9.) How would you rate the current working relationship between the fire administration and the general populace of the fire department?
Total 68: Excellent:1 Good: 6 Fair: 18 Poor: 43

10: How would you rate the training that you receive so that you may perform your job safely and effectively?
Total 68:  Excellent:2 Good: 25 Fair: 23 Poor: 18

11. How would you rate our living conditions?
Total 68: Excellent:4 Good: 22 Fair: 31 Poor: 11

12.) How would you rate the Fire Administration in regards to listening to your overall needs?
Total 68: Excellent:3 Good: 5 Fair: 19 Poor: 39 (No answer: 2)

13.) Do you feel that communication from the Fire administration down to the front-line personnel is efficient and effective?
Total 68:  Yes: 7 No: 40 Somewhat: 20 Don’t know: 1

14.) If you were facing disciplinary action, how confident would you feel that our Fire Administration would treat you fairly and justly?
Total 68: Very Confident: 8 Somewhat Confident: 23 Not Confident at All: 36 (No Answer: 1)  

15.) How well would you rate our Fire Administration in managing  our fire department?
Total 68: Excellent:2 Good: 7 Fair: 19 Poor: 40

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Man Juan the FF from Brownsville Union 970 really have you by the balls. Recently you write only about the Fire Chief, the fire department the FF EMS, the FF lunch menu, the FF wardrobe. Kind of seems you are solely the mouthpiece for Rigo Bocanegra, Jorge Lerma and Marcos Longoria. You should change your blog name to ElRRURRUN of the FF local 970.

What these self proclaimed Fire Fighters should do is work for a living instead of always asking the public to give them handouts. If they don't like being a FF then quit and move on. They make a great living. Quit crying.

Anonymous said...

This article was about the Harlingen fire department, not Brownsville. Did you even read the article?

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why you think someone is asking for a handout. It sounds to me that they have a problem because they can't do their job if they don't have the proper equipment, trucks etc. Maybe you should read the article instead of worrying about what the blogger wants to post.

Anonymous said...

1968 HFD had WWII surplus equipment you worked 24 on 24 off you were paid less than $500 per month. Good guys worked there it was family. When the Arcadia Movie Theater burnt down HFD saved that city block, with no fire chief WWII surplus equipment and were berated by the city manager afterward. De Los Santos Palacios Garcia Yanez Thornburg Seay Watts to mention a few. What a worthless city Harlingen Administration you still have!

Anonymous said...

Oh yea by the way people there is a certain dick cop who gets his quotas that sits near the intersection of frontage and ed carey drive.If you are going to take a right to go north there is no yield no stop sign no designation light for that right turn but by law you can turn right. I told this to the pipsqueak city prosecutor in Harlingen some i wish i was a real lawyer anglo little man.Harlingen traffic dept should some sort of sign there like everywhere else in the valley.The judge was cool though.

Anonymous said...

This survey was skewed, biased and simply put forth with a personal vendetta. It is NO WAY indicative of the majority feelings of the HFD. The survey itself was never approved by the HFD Union. Just by a small group of digruntled emoloyees. There should be a survey about the Union officers. Now you're talking about failures.

Anonymous said...

Disgruntled ah SAN BENITO.

Anonymous said...

Its "disgruntled", and I take it your one who didnt take the survey, which seems to have reasonable questions.

Anonymous said...

You where replaced as union officer for a reason. The numbers speak the truth. You refused to partake in the survey. And yes it was voted on and approved. During a regular union meeting. over 2/3 of the people feel the same you must be getting some of that "extra" overtime pay.

Anonymous said...

Results speak for themselves. If it didn't represent the majority, then the numbers would reflect as much; however, that is not the case. Furthermore, a few means three or more, which is not reflected by the numbers that are above these comments. We are a BROTHERHOOD, not a high school click, be an adult and professionally voice your opinions.

Anonymous said...

No mames, don't blame San Benito for this.

Anonymous said...

No mames, don't blame this on San Benito

Anonymous said...

The survey is not skewed,biased,or put forth as a personal vendetta. IT IS indicative of the majority of the feelings of the HFD. It was approved by the membership and not just a small group of disgruntled employees. Get your facts straight before you make a fool of yourself. The numbers DO NOT LIE.

Anonymous said...

Personal vendetta? I wonder if Brownsville Fire thought the same when the Harlingen fire chief denied them mutual aide.

Anonymous said...

CARLOS, STOP USING FAKE FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS.

Anonymous said...

It's Julio Zetina ( El puppet). He does the dirty work for their VP Loftus who I understand wants to be the Fire Chief.

Anonymous said...

And you wonder why you got voted out. What you need to do is get out from under the chiefs desk.

Anonymous said...

The survey was voted on and approved by the union. 46 out of 68 people saying the chief has done a poor job is far from a "small group." 2 people out of 68 saying the chief is doing an excellent job is a small group. And yet we hear these same people saying that the union needs to do what is best for everyone. If you would open your eyes you would see the truth. Just because the chief has benefited you personally does not mean he is doing what is best for everyone.
There is a survey about the officers in the union once a year. Its called an election. The current holders of those positions were elected when the personnel was betrayed by the past officers.

Anonymous said...

I see you like throwing names around, why dont you put your name on here . Oh thats right your nothing but a COWARD dont be afraid after all we know who you are

rita