PCFD Revolving Door?

It has been a little over a week since the last "state of the ed" and I just wanted to put my two cents in on some of the things that were said that day. I have learned through my experiences and recent management classes to let things "soak" and then if you still feel the need to address issues, then try to offer solutions instead of creating more problems. Although I do not share some of my co-workers concerns, I did find it interesting that the "head honcho" was less than encouraging. I have also learned that when people begin to babble, then blah, blah, blah, is what is conveyed. Again, Mr. J had some very valid and interesting comments, and when he attempted to verbalize them, the term "insubordination" was thrown out there. I never heard him say he " wouldn't" follow orders, he simply stated he "didn't want to follow orders". I'm still perplexed with that one? Anyway, to the point!!! There are indeed many doors that open and shut, when you feel you can no longer "drink" the kool-aid, maybe it's time to look at other options? Maybe the "fit" isn't right, or maybe your "experience" is lacking,but I for one applaud you for standing up and voicing your concerns!!!!

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skippy's PCFD Revolving Door
Submitted by intheknow on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 11:42am.

Funny you mention revolving door, given your own past work history. Lets see, you started at PCFD as a volunteer, went to Fayette County FD as a full time employee, left FCFD after only a year or two, and took a full time position back at PCFD (I believe it was our superior benefits as I recall). Then while working for PCFD you became one of our very first full time 48'ers when you took a full time position also at Riverdale FD (their Employee of the Month once, as I recall). After only a couple years at Riverdale, you left there to take a full time position at Atlanta FD, still working full-time at PCFD (a 48'er), then later dropped down to a Part-time PCFD employee. Your latest blogs and vocal comments wouldn't be influenced by the fact that when recently pursuing another full-time position back with PCFD, you lost out to a dedicated female PCFD volunteer. While I'm not in a position to make the hiring decisions, I'm sure your own "revolving door" work history came in to play when that decision was made. I am fully aware of your education, knowledge and experience and wouldn't mind working with you, but at the same time, question your own decision to "air your dirty laundry" in this public forum. Just like your blog title referencing "revolving door" given your own history, your comment of "offer solutions instead of creating more problems" is so esoteric, as you've decided to publicly slam the Chief.
"Mr. J" as you've named him was out of line anyway you look at it, and if not directly insubordinate, was definitely teetering on insubordination with his statements - duh, a Captain is a Captain, and outranks a Firefighter, it doesn't matter if career, part-time or volunteer. For you to "applaud" the statements "Mr. J" made, especially the way he made them, brings your own level of knowledge and common sense in to question. You need to spend some more time thinking before posting up here, and if you personally "can no longer drink the kool-aid" maybe it's time for you to look at your options. I would hope it doesn't come to this, but your posting here in this forum, doesn't "offer solutions".

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intheknow: Revolving or Evolving?
Submitted by skippy875 on Sat, 11/01/2008 - 11:51am.

Well, where do I start? You forgot my many years riding a private ambulance and my third job doing yard maintenance to provide for my family. These "revolving" jobs are exactly that- the refusal to take handouts and provide for the people that mean the most to me, wherever the work may come from!! You may see that with a distorted view, but each move provided more income for the people that I am responsible for. It's that simple my friend!! The PCFD was very good to me and still is, but the "managerial" style of a certain person disturbs me. He is far from the LEADER that is needed and time will eventually carry him out the "revolving" door! As for your assumption that I "slammed" the chief, go back and read the article again. I plainly stated that I " did not share my co-workers concerns", but that I respected his position and his ability to verbalize them. This is still The United States of America and whether you agree or not, doesn't really matter!! As for " losing out " as you call it, who really lost? While I wish the best for your " dedicated female volunteer" was that decision made with "knowledge and common sense" as you put it, or was it a personal decision made out of spite? We all know the answer to that one, don't we? By the way, wasn't that " dedicated" employee hired as a FIREFIGHTER/emt, which would mean that she operate and function on the FIRE truck, per the job description? What is it now 5 months and still riding the medic unit EVERY shift, enough said!!! Finally, as I ponder the garrulous rhetoric in your article, I am now fully aware that the moves in my career have "evolved" myself into the " knowledgable, educated, and experienced person that you love to hate!!! Those are your words, thanks for the compliment!!!!

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WOW! Where's the love....?
cmc865's picture
Submitted by cmc865 on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 3:41pm.

WOW! Where's the love....? I sense so much HATE and anger here.


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cmc865 - "where's the love"
Submitted by intheknow on Sat, 11/01/2008 - 10:09am.

CMC - Just letting you know I don't have any "hate and anger" towards Skippy or anyone else involved in this. Just thought it kind of humorous that Skippy titled his blog "revolving door", when he's seems to have been stuck in a revolving door of his own for several years. I love Skippy to death, and appreciate all the positives he has, I also appreciate the positives "Mr. J" has, although I don't think his statement made to the Chief was appropriate. Ultimately, once again I must question why any of our members would post up anything negative about our organization in this public forum. There can't be anything "positive" to gain by doing so, and as I've said time and time again, NO organization is perfect!

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IN the Know
cmc865's picture
Submitted by cmc865 on Sat, 11/01/2008 - 4:36pm.

I agree this is not the forum, however an unfortunate sign of the times and reflection of the people's morale. ITs sad but true. Time will change things in the future, it always does. Some people hide in this forum do to the threats of retaliation people feel. Unfortunate for all involved but this perception is felt by many involved and not invovled. IT too shall pass. BE SAFE.


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