Alderman McLendon's responses to the Franklin Firefighters Association Questionnaire:
posted by Alderman Dana McLendon at 1:17 PM
Thursday, August 18, 2005
posted by Alderman Dana McLendon at 1:17 PM
31 Comments:
where do I get the super duper reading glasses to see what you have to say, Dana? Please re-think the format.
Try clicking it...:-)
I think if you "hover" on the image, you can then click a little box on the bottom right to enlarge it to a more readable format. My apologies; I'm just getting started with the technical end of this blogging thing.
Come on now ... at least it's posted.
Where's the email to the other Aldermen and Da' Big Bad Maya'??
Shouldn't it be "National Fire Protection Association," not "Nashville"? Who proofed their stuff?
Yes, it is National Fire Protection Association. Also, the FFA fails to mention that if a firefighter is killed in the line of duty, they are eligible for a Federal death benefit of $200-250K-same applies to police. It's called the PSOB. Guess they failed to mention that. Why should fire receive a higher life insurance than another city employee? I don't see solid waste eligible for $250K from the feds...
And while we're discussing the FFA, why is it that although they claim to be representing all firefighers (or the "125 of 135"), why was no vote taken regarding their public support of the EEOC claims? Why are there no minutes or meeting information available?
Dana-think twice before you sell your soul to this group of folks who wants to work harder to get out of work...
Alderman McLendon ,My hats off to you,just for making the effort to get out in front of the whole of the people, instead of just exchanging views with folks that spend their weekends under a white tent.
To Anonymous
8/19/05 08:56:31
The Citizens of Franklin should thank you for making a showing today Mr.Williams. Whats wrong no TV Commercials to shoot for Town & Country.
Anonymous
8/22/2005 09:39:47 PM
Au contrere, one cloaked by fear. Twas not me who posted that comment. When I post, I'll sign it.
As for the content, I wasn't aware of the PSOB, but it sounds right. As for death-in-the-line-of-duty benefit from the City, my personal belief is that it would be a good idea to look at increasing it for all members of the city staff in hazardous duties...police, fire, sewer, streets, solid waste, parks even in some cases.
The animosity in your post leads me to believe you may be a city employee. Sad that sometimes people worry so much about others that they fail to understand how each piece of the puzzle makes up the whole package of services to our customers, the citizens.
As for the commercials, residuals are a good thing.
Joe Williams, Citizen Taxpayer
Mr. McLendon, you stated in your response to the Franklin Firefighter’s questionnaire. You were re-elected with the FFA’s endorsement in 2001. Have you look at weather or not the FFA is an actual association in the proper definition of the word or a group of firefighters just saying that they are an association? I do not know the type of law you practice, but by passing the bar exam you probably have some knowledge in what constitutes an association. Upon reading the By-Laws of the association, I realized that the Officers of the FFA are not upholding their own By-Laws. For instance, the By-Laws state that there must be elections of the Officers every three (3) years. After the first election no others have taken place. There are several other instances where the Officers of the Association are not following their own By-Laws. If they want to be a valid Association they must abide by there By-Laws. I don’t know about you but if I was running for re-election I would only want be endorsed by valid entities. Maybe this is why the City of Franklin does not recognize the Franklin Firefighters Association.
By the way do you know that the City of Franklin has thrown out the resent Fire Department written promotional exams? I am presuming that the City is going back to the good ole boy system for promotion. If the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief like you, then you get promoted. (Isn’t that the complaint they had against the previous Chief?) That’s all I want is firefighters coming to my house to put out a fire who don’t know how to get my family out safely because their Officers are not required by the City to test for promotional exams.
To anonymous on 09/01 @ 5:08:
I haven't inquired of the FFA whether they are following their own bylaws. Perhaps I will. The City of Franklin does not recognize the FFA officially because by law the city is not enabled to do so and without legislation enabling the city to recognize the FFA, the city cannot do so.
You are correct that certain promotional processes have been stopped. The reason, however, is actually the opposite of the reason you suspect. There was, or could be, a problem with the validity of the test that was used. There were other issues in the promotional process, too. None of them were insidious or evil, but there were potential issues with the process. The city realizes that our promotional processes are under intense scrutiny at the moment. We want to be absolutely certain that all of our promotions are beyond question fair and proper.
Process under scrutiney because a few want to destroy it for the many.
What was the problem with the test given to the firfighters? Wasn't all firefighters given the books to study and wasn't the test given by an agency other than Franklin, to prevent favoritism and to find out which ones were most knowledgable?
Do Franklin Fire Fighters need test given to them with stick figures in order to have a validated test.
Education is so very necessary in all professions. I hope the children of these fire fighters realize that all forms of education and testing are necessary in order to compete in todays society.
I spoke with HR Director Harmon last week about this scenario. I want to speak to Chief Garzarek soon about it. The bottom line is that the people in line for these promotions and the city as a whole need and deserve that the romotions are bulletproof against grousing and griping and allegations of favoratism or worse. I regret that the process has required good people to spend time studying and working for the promotion only to maybe have to do it again. Once I talk to the Chief, I may have more on this subject.
You really do not know what is going on in the Fire Department, do you? The Chief does not run the department. Deputy Chief Horton does, you know Jay Johnson's favorate boy. If you don't believe me look at the his job discription and resume. Then all the others Officers in Administration. The Deputy Chief is only required to have a high school education and all others are required to have higher education and twice as much training. Just take a look and then tell the citizens of Franklin that favoritism is not going on.
Well well...I wondered how long it would take for the Union "Brothers" to reply on Alderman McLendon's blog on this topic. I guess when confronted with some issues and questions, they'd rather shift the focus to an innocent bystander. I guess the Deputy Chief must not be in the Union, er "Association," otherwise he'd be Chief. Seems to me the only favoritism comes from whomever the Union "supports," that is until they decide to move on.
Dana, you do need to talk with the Fire Chief-You are one of the few returning Alderman who has, at least in my eyes, the desire to be a straight-shooter. I'm sure when you get into it, you'll realize how the Union/Assoication/Mob has interferred with developing the FFD in a professional, educated and respectable Fire Department. Right now, the U/A/M just isn't happy unless there is turmoil. Guess they are succeeding.
Just a little thought on the comment below:
"By the way do you know that the City of Franklin has thrown out the resent Fire Department written promotional exams? I am presuming that the City is going back to the good ole boy system for promotion. If the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief like you, then you get promoted. (Isn’t that the complaint they had against the previous Chief?) That’s all I want is firefighters coming to my house to put out a fire who don’t know how to get my family out safely because their Officers are not required by the City to test for promotional exams."
Anonymous...The promotional test have been thrown out and the testing process will start over due to some individual complaints. Complaints from some that chose not to test, those that did not qualify to test or those that just need to complain about something and keep constant turmoil going throughout the department.
The new chief is trying to create a positive working environment for all who work within the FFD. He is trying to make promotions fair and impartial by creating a testing process and by creating a set of standards that one would need to meet in order to qualify for a promotion. Yes, before Chief Garzarek was in his positon, there were promotions based on the "Good Ole Boy" factor. He is trying to get out of that scenerio and make the promotions equal and fair to all who qualify to test. You know there are some that would love to test but, just do not qualify. (under the present qualifications guidelines)
The only quark that I see with the promotions are... there are some that should not be able to test unless they have worked within this department for a greater period of time. Experience is the ultimate test for these positions. I would rather see someone who has worked within this department for 3-5 years receive or a least test for a promotion than someone who has worked for 1 year and taken classes and received a degree (anyone can receive a degree, just put up with the BS)
As for your comment on the response to your home if necessary...Most of the guys that work with the FFD are very knowledgeable of their positions and regardless of promotions, testing or whatever else you may doubt about their abilities, the training they receive and their abilities to perform their jobs FAR EXCEED any testing or promotional issues that you could have. They can do their jobs and do them well.
You all need to appreciate the fact that the guys and galls are willing to put their lives on the line on a daily basis for you and me and they enjoy their jobs. Just be greatful for what you have and stop dwelling on the things you wish you had!!! That goes for all who wanted a promotion. Be happy you have a job!!!
Anon @ 5:08 pm:
How do you know what the by-laws are? How do you know that no elections were done? Who are you and where do you get all your information?
By the way, I believe the previous anon is correct in saying that experience is the best attribute when promoting these men and women. No book sense or test can get you through that. I was an excellent student, however, I could NEVER put out a fire, rescue people from car wrecks, or administer first aid, CPR, etc to citizens calling 911. I have high regard for these veteran firefighters.
What about you Dana?
This post has wondered a little off topic and I'm glad someone made it back to discussing the pathetic attempts of the "FFA."
It would appear from several posts that there are indeed folks in the "Association" who have some knowledge of the inner workings. It is interesting b/c after doing a quick search on the internet, the only references to "Franklin Firefighters Association" came back as news stories in our little Tennessean. Even the IAFF and similiar sites had no listing or mention of affiliation with Franklin...I guess anyone can say they are a union and attract attention, even that of politicians.
BTW-education vs. experience? It seems to me that a firefighter trying for a promotion would need a balance of each. Just b/c you've been fighting fires for 5, 10 years-have you been doing it right? It seems to me that if a firefighter shows up to work with no incentive to advance, other than putting time in...you breed mediocrity (sp?). Do we not want our firefighters to be both well-skilled and SMART? As I have seen on TV, it is no longer about fighting fires for the most part. The Fire Department does medical care, hazardous materials, technical rescue, public education...why does someone need 5+ years of fighting fires when fires #'s are going down? A healthy balance is needed. Don't assume b/c someone's been there for a while that they are better than a "new guy."
I have heard discussed here and other places that their are complaints about the "Good 'Ol Boy" system. Does time spent in not directly reflect this? If you truly wanted to change this and have officers of high caliber, education is a must. Education=desire to achieve. Time spent=desire to maintain status quo. Status quo=stagnant. I guess I could show up at my job each day, do enough to get by, and rely on time spent...one day I will be CEO-NOT. Hardwork and contuing education and desire to make positive change will get the kudos. Time spent should just get you a pension.
Ask any firefighter. They are required to take classes ALL YEAR ROUND. The education that was required to be promoted is if you have four year degree . . . . in ANYTHING! So one guy could have a four year degree in home economics and automatically rise far above the guy who has been proficiently fighting fires for many more years.
I wouldn't go that far..home econmonics. And I would argue about fighting fires proficiently-from what I've seen you need A LOT
Okay, even a degree in Business shouldn't cause you to be further ahead for a promotion than one with much more experience.
What qualifications does anon at 12:13 have in proficiency of the fire professions to judge whether someone is profiecient or not?
Regardless of your opinion of the recent debacle with the promotions in the fire dept, I feel making derogatory comments such as Anon 12:13 is taking it to far. Having an opinion whether or not a process is fair is your right. Making inappropriate comments about ones ability to perform their job is wrong. These slanderous comments are untrue and inaccurate. There are professional members in the fire department and do not deserve to be belittled by Anon 12:13’s comments.
Anon 12:13 replies:
I just call it like I see it every 3rd day.
Which station do you work at? Obviously you have a high opinion of yourself. I wonder if the men you work with share the same. Usually when you have to blow your own horn, no one is dancing to your music.
To anon @ 9:43
Are your By-Laws a secret? All your members should have copies of the By-Laws. Do your members get minutes of the Board and General meeting? Has the entire membership been privy to the intentions and action of the Board? How about how the money is spent? Does your membership even have a vote as to how their funds are spent? When was the last time the funs were audited?
to anon 12:13
since you think so highly of yourself and your proficiency with your current job, maybe you could go elsewhere and find a job to show them your skills. Esp. since your co-workers (according to you) need more experience or education.
The FFC (Franklin Firefighters Clan) is a joke, and everyone should recognize it as such. How many of the 125 actually vote in an election anyway? I meant City election, not a Clan election.
Well I am one who votes as well as my immediate and extended family.
Post a Comment
<< Home