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Full time fire chief in Baldwin
I am surprised there hasn't been more discussion about this issue. I think we may be looking at a fundamental change in our fire protection. Any opinions?
I am surprised there hasn't been more discussion about this issue. I think we may be looking at a fundamental change in our fire protection. Any opinions?
16 January 2008
at 11:33 a.m.
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woofwoof (Anonymous) says…
My thoughts.
Where are you going to find a qualified “Chief” who wants to be a city employee doing unrelated city work 99.9% of the time? Just so the city can say they have a full time “Chief” on hand.
Why would you have a qualified “Chief” as a first responder? When was the last time you saw the person in the white hat dragging hose, chopping holes or polishing trucks? The “Chief” is an overseer, not a firefighter unless something has gone really wrong.
17 January 2008
at 9:35 p.m.
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ibelieveinmapleleaf (Anonymous) says…
I think we need to have less, not more, city employees. For example, although the City issues a paultry handful of building permits each year, we have 3 fulltime employees in the Codes department. What nonsense is this?
18 January 2008
at 3:39 p.m.
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towniegirl (Anonymous) says…
What exactly do you consider “paltry” mapleleaf?? And since you seem to know so much about the city…what are the three job titles/descriptions. It seems to me that in most of your posts you are extremely disgruntled with the city.
18 January 2008
at 7:44 p.m.
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ibelieveinmapleleaf (Anonymous) says…
I don't know the titles of the folks, and I hesitate to name them here, just because it will cause everyone to get all weird about it. However, there is one person who is Director of Codes and Zoning. She has an assistant inspector who is nearly universally hated by businesses in the city. There is a third person who seems to handle more of the electrical and plumbing stuff, but not exclusively. Top that off with an administrative assistant.
Do we really need this? Ever wonder why your property taxes are as high as many municipalities in Johnson County? This is wastefulness. Every year these folks, plus all the other city employees, demand an increase in salary. When does it stop?
21 January 2008
at 8 p.m.
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Highstreet (Anonymous) says…
Yes, but the dang town is growing and it's going to have to have positions such as this. The first thing this person needs to be is a leader of the volunteers. The second thing is an administrator. The third is he (she) needs to be an all-American Red Cross CPR, AED, you-name-it, 35-40 year old stud who can go into a smoke-filled house and pick up a 250-pounder, throw them on his (yes, her) shoulder and carry them out. This position needs to have a well-paid star, not a sixty-something retired fatso good ol' boy. Lord knows they're both out there. It is what will be made of it by the city fathers. This is an opportunity for them to do something really good. Form and describe this position really well and it can be a big positive for BC. When you come to the fork in the road, take it: stud or dud?
22 January 2008
at 10:50 p.m.
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ozzy (Anonymous) says…
i agree 100% with you highstreet. i'll take the stud but the city would probably hire the dud.
27 January 2008
at 2:31 p.m.
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youngitized (Anonymous) says…
As for the fire chief the question really should not be much of a debate. In my mind that would $40K-$60K well spent. What is going to happen if there is a house fire, for example the Stotts' house and there is not an adequate chief in charge? This goes back to the basic first grade principle, fire fighters save lives and when it comes to people or money, I will side with people 100% of the time! Can someone also please tell me the city council members who have constantly voted against this proposal? As far as the person that the city hires, they should first make the determination that is this person qualified for the position? I look forward to what you all have to say. Have a nice day.
7 February 2008
at 12:04 p.m.
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baldwinfan (Anonymous) says…
Do all the firefighters in Baldwin live out of town? Perhaps one of the other city employees could volunteer for the fire department. That way we'll almost always have someone who lives in Baldwin able to respond.
The bigger problem is the new downtown. I've heard the the firetrucks cannot even turn with the new sidewalks sticking so far out.
7 February 2008
at 12:33 p.m.
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Monkey (Anonymous) says…
The majority of the Firefighters live in town. The only problem is like everyone else, the government requires us to pay our bills to.LOL. So our numbers decrease during the day some times. We have a strong group that is dedicated to serving this city. To answer your question about the new down town, it will be nice when it is completed and it could pose a challenge when in peak business times. Anyone interested in Joining or learning about the fire department is encouraged to stop by and say hey. We are there the 1st monday of every month at 7:30pm, the 3rd tuesday of every month same time and every sunday around 10 for truck checks. Anyone interested in the department should stop by or join
14 February 2008
at 6:56 p.m.
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baldwinfan (Anonymous) says…
I think it's great what you guys do. Thank you for your sacrefice and service. If you know of anyone that updates the Baldwin City website, perhaps that could put that info on the website.
I'm not going to argue that it is a great idea to have a full-time fire figheter on call. I just don't like how my taxes have increased from $2,200 to $2700 (19%) in just four years.
Even though KDOT payed for 80% of the downtown project, I would rather have had a scaled down basic downtown. I don't need those fancy flower pots and large sidewalks. Unfortunately increases in our taxes for such lavish projects increases the arguments against adding basic services.
17 February 2008
at 6:39 p.m.
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firefighter (Anonymous) says…
Great job on approving a paid fire chiefs postion. However beware 40,000.00 is a great salary but most career firefighters that hold company officers rank or chief officers rank are paid over that amount. Most career fire officers have obtained college degrees in order to be elligable to promote within their fire departments. I think the 60,000 is more in line for a Fire Chief. That will allow your city the ability to entice company officers Lieutenants or Captains from career fire departments. Most career chief officers make over 60,000. I know many well quaified volunteer officers that would be great career fire chiefs, however there salary at there non fire department jobs are more than 40,000. 40,000 is extremely competive for a starting firefighter (Not Fire Chief) infact that is above the regional starting pay average. Also don't forget about the KP&F retirement. Becareful in your fire chief search this should not be taken lightly, conduct a very through hiring process. Good luck in your search, great job. For future growth you must start with a good foundation and your city is on the right track by hireing a fulltime fire chief. As more career firefighters are added your city will see good consistency and a postive work enviroment.
22 February 2008
at 8:34 a.m.
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Monkey (Anonymous) says…
Reminder there is a Fire Meeting on Monday March 3rd @ 7:30 pm for anyone that is interested in the fire department.