Quote:I'm confused. You say you were dispatched, took command, directed incoming companies & then turned command over the the COD, but you were NOT on the clock?
That is correct. I was off duty and just around the corner. I responded off duty and turned over the scene to the cod when he arrived. I am a part time hourly firefighter emt. If im not on duty im not getting paid.
It seems that some have a very narrow view of what a firefighter is. My department is a Combination department. We have full time members, Part time members, Volunteer members, and Live in members. Some of you would have kittens when id tel you we have to attend training off duty on our own time.
For example lets say you are driving into your station for your shift that starts in an hour. Your off duty. When your company is dispatched to a building fire. The building that is on the other side of the street from the traffic light you are at. The light changes and you pull into the parking lot and speak to the employees that have evacuated. Your company is coming from 5 miles away. You do not have gear with you. The fire is in a 10 foot by 40 foot air handler on the roof 30 feet in the air. The only thing you can do is give an on scene report and figure out where the first company needs to enter the large industrial property to make the best fire attack.
During the day 8am to 4pm this department has 6 paid firefighters on duty. 3 at station 3 and 3 at station 1. Station 4 is staffed with live ins and had 2 members on station. Station 2 is all volunteer. Due to the location of the fire and time of day the COD requested the U.S. Air force fire station that is located 2 miles from fire send an engine. The air force has 16 firefighter / Emts on duty per shift. They respond an engine with 6 members. The dispatch center also sent 2 other all volunteer department when you were dispatched.
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