(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. We will publish comments to other seven questions at a later date.)
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
*Until it was pointed out to our administration, they did not know the current 2016 NFPA 1710 criteria. They showed up to a shift meeting and LIED to the personnel about the correct number of FF that should be on a fire ground for a city our size.
* The current Man power and staffing levels are inadequate to protect the city of Harlingen, county, and contract city’s. The run card fails to address issues with responses to the county and contract city’s. This Fire Chief has no understanding
of the layout of the city of Harlingen or the contract city’s we have to respond to. The removal of staff from central station and the removal of the “Rescue Truck” will result in unnecessary injuries and or deaths with in the department and general public.
Comments:
*I believe was a bad idea and dangerous to cut the personnel from station 1. It leaves the city and our Department vulnerable losing the extra Engine we had at #1.*Until it was pointed out to our administration, they did not know the current 2016 NFPA 1710 criteria. They showed up to a shift meeting and LIED to the personnel about the correct number of FF that should be on a fire ground for a city our size.
* The current Man power and staffing levels are inadequate to protect the city of Harlingen, county, and contract city’s. The run card fails to address issues with responses to the county and contract city’s. This Fire Chief has no understanding
of the layout of the city of Harlingen or the contract city’s we have to respond to. The removal of staff from central station and the removal of the “Rescue Truck” will result in unnecessary injuries and or deaths with in the department and general public.
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
Comments
*It is not possible to safely and effectively extinguish 2 structure fires.
*We have been stretched very thin, and ultimately need to be fully staffed to avoid injuries or worse.
*We are not providing protection to the rest of the city, and we have no mutual aid. They rely on us.
*Not enough man power, we would definitely need mutual aid.
3.) How would you rate the quality of our apparatus and the condition they're in?
*We have been stretched very thin, and ultimately need to be fully staffed to avoid injuries or worse.
*We are not providing protection to the rest of the city, and we have no mutual aid. They rely on us.
*Not enough man power, we would definitely need mutual aid.
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
Comments
*When engine-2 came into service, after that station 2 opened the truck was empty, so we didn’t have medical bags and had to make scraps. This station was planned to open since October and when it finally opened up the truck wasn’t ready. Shouldn’t this be avoided with proper planning?
*From what I have seen for a new truck E-1 (Ferrara) seems to have a lot of maintenance issues. This should be considered before purchasing more of this brand.
*A side from E-8, 6, 3, 4, E-1 which are our newer units, the rest are falling apart, I don’t even consider them “reserve status”.
*We manage with what we have.
*A relatively new fire apparatus that is a front line unit has over 15 discrepancies, a few of which should have been immediately addressed.
4.) How would you rate the quality of Tools and Gear that we use?
*When engine-2 came into service, after that station 2 opened the truck was empty, so we didn’t have medical bags and had to make scraps. This station was planned to open since October and when it finally opened up the truck wasn’t ready. Shouldn’t this be avoided with proper planning?
*From what I have seen for a new truck E-1 (Ferrara) seems to have a lot of maintenance issues. This should be considered before purchasing more of this brand.
*A side from E-8, 6, 3, 4, E-1 which are our newer units, the rest are falling apart, I don’t even consider them “reserve status”.
*We manage with what we have.
*A relatively new fire apparatus that is a front line unit has over 15 discrepancies, a few of which should have been immediately addressed.
4.) How would you rate the quality of Tools and Gear that we use?
Total 68: Excellent: 7 Good:15 Fair: 39 Poor: 7
Comments
*The hydraulic pump at station 4 really doesn’t work. In an event of life and death on a citizen those tools will not be able to perform its duty and believe a citizen will die. Most SCBA equipment needs repairing.
*New e-tools are very nice and a lot of effort is being made to keep bunker gear in good condition.
*Lately with inspections and cleaning it has gotten better bunker wise. Boots we could use something lighter and more comfortable, don’t expect top of the line stuff but its nice to have something higher that “LOWEST BIDDER”.
* While we have new Edraulic tools, we have 30 year old hydraulic tools that are in need of replacing, Fire fighting tools are purchased without the thought of how it will be used and if it is the best tool for the job.
*Mostly good, some of the hydraulics need work (Ladder 4).
*A lot of upgrades need to be done and we have new equipment that actually works.
*We don’t have enough extrication tools department wide. Additionally our medical supplies are inadequate.
5.) When units are taken out of service for repair/maintenance, do you feel that we have
*The hydraulic pump at station 4 really doesn’t work. In an event of life and death on a citizen those tools will not be able to perform its duty and believe a citizen will die. Most SCBA equipment needs repairing.
*New e-tools are very nice and a lot of effort is being made to keep bunker gear in good condition.
*Lately with inspections and cleaning it has gotten better bunker wise. Boots we could use something lighter and more comfortable, don’t expect top of the line stuff but its nice to have something higher that “LOWEST BIDDER”.
* While we have new Edraulic tools, we have 30 year old hydraulic tools that are in need of replacing, Fire fighting tools are purchased without the thought of how it will be used and if it is the best tool for the job.
*Mostly good, some of the hydraulics need work (Ladder 4).
*A lot of upgrades need to be done and we have new equipment that actually works.
*We don’t have enough extrication tools department wide. Additionally our medical supplies are inadequate.
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
Comments
*Have you seen our reserve units, they are not equipped.*The reserve units are limited in equipment. Mechanical issues on RE-3, Re-1, and Tanker 8 are an issue.
*"Reserves" should be fully stocked ready to go, not half run down and having to move over equipment needed.
*Reserve units could be better maintained.
*Our reserve apparatus are a joke!!!
*Hell no there are no reserves.
*Reserve units need to be refurbished.
*Every time we use a reserve engine I expect the brakes to give out and pump not to function.
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
Comments
* only interest is the bottom line and personal agendas*We’re just an employee number to the city and easily replaced. In the past we’ve been
ignored, looked down on, and not acknowledged by our city mayor.
*Fire department tries, city no, they are more concerned with their building project. They want to bring in more tourists, but feel when it comes to the safety of citizens and tourists, we will not be able to perform our task due to equipment and staffing problems.
*We are always last since our department does not bring in revenue to the city.
*Fire –yes , city- not so sure.
*The fire chief has his own agenda. He is a PUPPET for the city. The city wanted Deputy Chief XXXX fired and Fire Chief Rinaldi wouldn’t do it. They hire chief XXXXX to get rid of XXXX. The city does not have any employee’s best interest at heart. They consistently have positive revenue streams each month but can never afford anything.
7.) How would you describe the overall morale of our fire department?
Total 68: Excellent: 0 Good: 7 Fair: 23 Poor: 38
*A lot of division, no direction
* Aside from the compadre suck ups; the overall moral is low. I am thankful to the strong individual that keep there chin up and stay a positive truthful course
* Most of the individuals like/love coming to work here at HFD. However, each person is entitled to their own opinion and some are offended easily and take things a little too personal.
*We come to work and what we do despite knowing they does not have our backs.
Comments
*A lot of division, no direction
* Aside from the compadre suck ups; the overall moral is low. I am thankful to the strong individual that keep there chin up and stay a positive truthful course
* Most of the individuals like/love coming to work here at HFD. However, each person is entitled to their own opinion and some are offended easily and take things a little too personal.
*We come to work and what we do despite knowing they does not have our backs.
* Could be way better if we had a leader willing to lead.
* I personally have no confidence in the fire chief. He has been fired from other cities for doing what he is doing to our department. He shows favoritism towards a certain shift and a certain station.
* I personally have no confidence in the fire chief. He has been fired from other cities for doing what he is doing to our department. He shows favoritism towards a certain shift and a certain station.
14 comments:
Wow! Why are firefighters such pussies? Complainers. Too many bitches. Just get to work!
Cry me a river
Let someone that wants/ needs a JOB take over.
HEB is hiring
Don't worry about the neg comments you all stick together its just some pussy who is either jealous or just a pendejo who couldn't pass the entrance exam.
@1:06 p.m., keep thinking that, your ungrateful fucker! Who passed the test for you - your mother? LOL
I don't know why they complain. They get paid well. My friend who is a fireman in their City, told me that fireman only work something like 8 or 9 days a month. He also told me that they get to BBQ. Where do they pay you to BBQ. Wow. They need to remember that taxpayers actually work for a living. My friend tells me his been there 6 yrs and it's kick back work.
Wow. Do not complain.
This is easy to say when your life isn't on the line. I don't think they ever stopped or will stop working. They are just pointing out some pretty major safety concerns.
Es el Vice presidente de la Union, Loftus. El Indio pendejo. Tiene carra de Indio. Le oprima los botones ha su puppet, El presidente de la associacion de bomberos.
Go fuck yourself!!
as Selena would say - Que vengan los bomberos, que me estoy quemando. LOL
I hate her music.
Stfu the one complaining is you and it sounds like envy.They usually BBQ on a sunday if there not busy its a 24 hr shift and have eat on call.The scope of the work they do is broad from medical emergencies,natural gas leaks,car accidents ,chemical spills ,structure fires,boat fires,car fires,chem fires,grass fires,airport emergencies, train derailments ,port emergencies,locked kids in a car,gasoline spills,drownings, hurricanes,flooding ,tornados anything people consider an emergency fireman GO!the list goes on and on'24/7 rain ,snow,or being 105 degrees we GO.Firemen on duty in any town is like having a warm blanket knowing they are there when you need them and i hope for sake you and your family will never need the help of a firefighter but if you do you we will be there you idiot.So go back to pushing your pencil angry and bitter thinking why you didn't do better for yourself in life and stop flapping your mouth criticizing something you no nothing about., plus Firemen and women are tax payers to.
Yea yea yea "your mother" good one shit head the only one ungrateful and ignorant is you.lol
LMAO you will never be a union officer again. Crybaby oh by the way we still know who you are. Pendejo
Anonymous at 5:08 just shut you all the fuck up.
and by the way - if you don't like the firefighters - In case of emergency, don't call them. Deal with it yourself you fucking ungrateful pricks.
I was just reading this response. OMG. I sure hope that by STFU you refer to sure thing my friend. I just stated what one of your own stated. He also mentioned that FFs have their own gym. Wow
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