Union never waivered in supporting volunteers
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On June 26, a workshop was conducted at Marathon Fire Rescue to allow people to share thoughts and concerns regarding fire safety. Many statements were made, mostly in support of the department's efforts, while some shared discomfort. I think it's extremely important to clarify the misconceptions that some people believe to be true.
A very good example of this would be the comments made by Randy Mearns, a former volunteer. Most notably, he said the union ran off the volunteers. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a union member, I would like to address those statements that were made during the workshop.
I have been a member of the fire service for more than nine years, starting out with the volunteer organization. I was a volunteer for four years until I was hired as a career firefighter for the city. During that time, we had a group of only 10 dedicated people that would respond to emergencies. We always participated in the training that was necessary to safely fight fires. Ultimately, we were hired by Monroe County, Marathon or moved away due to the high cost of living in the Keys, leaving no more responders. Those volunteers that you think were run off are the very ones that never responded to any calls, with a few exceptions.
How could one who holds such a high regard for volunteerism and the protection of his own community possibly allow himself to be run off by those who share that very same position? Sincere dedication simply does not work that way.
Mearns said the department is failing to protect the community. Out of all the fires we've had in this city since the inception, only four were unsalvageable. This is an impressive record.
Our union has always worked with and supported the volunteers. So I ask this: Mr. Mearns, where is your support of the volunteers? Where were you and the others during the "firefighter for a day" event? This was held for the recruitment of volunteers and the union was there. Where were you and the others during the boot drive conducted to raise money for the volunteer from Layton who was critically injured while responding to an accident? The union was there. Where were you when the union handed out free turkey dinners at Publix to families in need?
What about during Wilma? We responded to more than 25 calls during the first 10 hours and worked more than 72 continuous hours helping our community and saving lives from the rising flood waters. Our local members did this while separated from our families. My wife and 5-year-old son were at our house watching everything we owned become destroyed.
The union also helped in the annual spaghetti dinner, a function intended to raise money for the volunteer organization. The union did this for nothing in return. Does this sound like a group of people trying to run off the volunteers?
I was very concerned when I heard Mr. Mearns say he understands we don't have many fires and one would become rusty. When I was a volunteer, I do not remember ever seeing him at any of the training. I wonder how rusty he and others must be from not attending training for more than nine years.
How could someone with such a lack of training suggest that poor decisions are being made? It's as if I were a volunteer electrician telling him, a certified electrician, how to wire a house. Sure I could do it, but it would probably kill someone. Get my point?
Back then, fires burned down many structures and lives were put at risk under the direction of the so-called experienced firefighters who desperately want things to go back to the way they were before.
Karen Farley-Wilkinson, a citizen, suggested that state laws that have been implemented to ensure that all fire operations are conducted safely be thrown out to allow the volunteers to take over. These laws are in place so that those who are not properly trained who can potentially cause unnecessary injuries or death are not be allowed to participate in fire suppression. All properly trained firefighters depend on these laws to keep them safe.
The union will always work with the volunteers. The mistruths spoken by Randy Mearns are just a glimpse of the unnecessary discord that has placed a wedge between the volunteers and our union. The union has always had a vested interest in the community.
I'm confident that should anyone ever dial 911, they can rest assured that properly trained personnel will respond and treat the emergency as if it were their very own. This is because of the career organization and those very laws in place that are designed to ensure the proper training necessary to provide this level of service.
