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This year most likely will be the last year my firefighter's department survives in tact.
The city, which has always been very good about balancing their budget, finally succumbed to the pressures of the recession. They held out for as long as possible, but revenues from local businesses are way down, and the measure to fund the city through a tax increase failed. Some serious changes have to be made. People are losing their jobs this month. The parks are no longer going to be maintained. The library will be closing. And, the fire department will be disbanded and absorbed by the county department.
I wonder if they do another swearing in ceremony in these circumstances.
I've been anxiously waiting to hear what the city council decided. Most likely, the fire department will merge with county. This change will ultimately be a good thing, as far as my firefighter and his career are concerned. The department is large and offers a lot of diversity on the job, like jumping out of helicopters, or the opportunity to be on special search and rescue units. And, he did his fire training through the county's academy, so he will know how they operate.
There's just a few drawbacks--for example, his probationary period will be extended by six months. Not only will he be the red headed step child just because he's coming on board from another department, but he'll be a probie as well. That could be stressful. Plus, we don't know where in the county he would be stationed. He'll most likely stay put for a year or so after the merger, but after that, it's anyone's guess. And there's this nagging fear in the back of my mind that the county won't take every firefighter.
All those in the know swear that no one will lose their job. Every firefighter will be absorbed by the county--they say that they are short-staffed. Still, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with this if he weren't one of the newest guys on the department.
Just waiting to hear what his fate is.
Of all years for this to happen--This year marks the 100th anniversary of his fire department's inception.
8 comments:
That exact scenario just happened in the town in live in. Same worries and concerns. Good luck. My thoughts are with you.
The city that my ff works for faces a budget shortfall as well. They currently have new recruits in training so I imagine that they will be the first to go. He told me that they would still need to cut more than just the guys and girls currently in school. There was a class that graduated the academy after him so hopefully if they do cut into public safety, he will be safe.
This seems to be happening all over the country these days--it's quite scary. I'm hoping things work out well for you & yours, Katie.
That is very scary. My hubby was just telling me that his chief is doing everything he can to try not to lay off any of the guys. Steve has enough seniority (16 years in) that he should be fine). But we are worried for the younger, newer guys who have families to support as well. We could lose our ambulance service if people don't come in for manning. They are trying to figure it out, because the ambulance is crucial to their revenues. If we didn't have it there would be lay offs for sure.
I'll be praying for your situation, Katie. Thanks for sharing.
Stacie
Katie is a worrier. My job is not in jeopardy. There will just be a relocation of some of the firefighters from my city to other stations in the county. The problem with cutting positions is that those of us that are left have to fight fires with fewer resources. This makes a dangerous job even worse.
Hope that everything goes well. I can understand why you're anxious about this situation, but I think that once things settle down it could mean a lot of opportunities.
Of course, you'd never catch me jumpin' out of a perfectly good helicopter :)
Katie,
I read your post and then I read Firefighter's comment. I am assuming he is your husband. I think it is funny that he read your post and commented with such confidence in his future job security. That is great! But, he did say that what is happening could make his job more dangerous and that is definitely never good.
Praying that he is protected every time he goes out to help save people's lives. :)
Christy
Lol, yeah—he thinks I worry too much. He doesn't worry nearly enough. We balance each other out nicely. :) My stance on anything in which the government is involved: I'll believe it when I see it!
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