What the 'Red States' really think....this will make your blood boil.

[scfire86]

Just to let the conservatives on this board know just how highly regarded public safety employees are held by the local media in CONSERVATIVE OC. This is an excerpt from an Op Ed written in the OC Register last summer about public pension benefits. If any of you are truly interested I will post the entire article. This is the only part that deals with public safety professionals.


...The big spike came in 1999, when the Legislature agreed to allow local governments to grant "3 percent at 50" retirement benefits for firefighters and law-enforcement agencies. One agency after another agreed to these benefit terms. That increased pensions by 50 percent instantly for all agencies that approved them.

That means that the employee receives 3 percent of pay times the number of years worked after 30 years for a total retirement of 90 percent of final pay. Other benefits are thrown in to spike the final salary, and Orange County allows its public safety employees to work 33 1/3 years, which means that cops and firefighters in Orange County retire with 100 percent or more of their final salary.

The pay levels aren't bad, either. A number of Orange County police officers earn in the six figures, and we've got an Orange County firefighter earning $227,000 a year. Firefighters are paid for hours spent sleeping while they are on call, and the average firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime....

An unintended backlash occurred. The OCFA is getting applications from veteran firefighters in other departments. Which never used to happen.

Just to let the conservatives on this board know just how highly regarded public safety employees are held by the local media in CONSERVATIVE OC. This is an excerpt from an Op Ed written in the OC Register last summer about public pension benefits. If any of you are truly interested I will post the entire article. This is the only part that deals with public safety professionals.


...The big spike came in 1999, when the Legislature agreed to allow local governments to grant "3 percent at 50" retirement benefits for firefighters and law-enforcement agencies. One agency after another agreed to these benefit terms. That increased pensions by 50 percent instantly for all agencies that approved them.

That means that the employee receives 3 percent of pay times the number of years worked after 30 years for a total retirement of 90 percent of final pay. Other benefits are thrown in to spike the final salary, and Orange County allows its public safety employees to work 33 1/3 years, which means that cops and firefighters in Orange County retire with 100 percent or more of their final salary.

The pay levels aren't bad, either. A number of Orange County police officers earn in the six figures, and we've got an Orange County firefighter earning $227,000 a year. Firefighters are paid for hours spent sleeping while they are on call, and the average firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime....

I'll take my chances with the liberals.

[SouthsideLadderMan]

Firefighters are paid for hours spent sleeping while they are on call, and the average firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime....


Is that an untrue statement? Are you mad because they are stating fact?

BTW, Welcome to The Watch Desk scfire86

Your Buddy,
Tillerman25

[Fireduck]

scfire86 Yesterday 09:27 PM: The pay levels aren't bad, either. A number of Orange County police officers earn in the six figures, and we've got an Orange County firefighter earning $227,000 a year. Firefighters are paid for hours spent sleeping while they are on call, and the average firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime....
And your point is what? Firefighters & LEOs' have 1 of the MOST dangerous jobs in the world, so do you think they should be paid Min. Wage or a little higher to protect you, your family & the Public?

[scfire86]

My point is the paradox of how so many firefighters embrace a conservative agenda when that same group would filet them out and let them rot in the sun given the chance.

This Op Ed was written in a conservative publication that is always critical of the FF and LEO professions and their compensation as being way too high.

[Emtmom]

I was talking to a friend who lives in Ca., when I saw the salaries in Firehouse magazine, and how much they are paid there. My response was damn, we should move out there, hubby could be making good money. Her answer to that was, "Problem is....you can't live on that out here." Homes, food, fuel, everything out there is so high, they need to pay their people that much so they can live. A friend of mine out in Ca., just sold her house, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, ranch.....525,000.00 YEP, you need that kind of paycheck just to have a roof over your head! Paychecks match living expenses, and they SHOULD ALWAYS match the job, although most of us know that won't happen everywhere.

[scfire86]

Your friend must have sold a fixer upper. J/K of course. But she is correct. Even the areas inland that were always considered reasonable have become very pricey in the last couple of years. And people keep moving out here. It is only going to become more expensive as time goes by.

[xploded]

I see SCFire has decided to spread his liberal propaganda over from Firehouse.com. Even on this site Kerry still lost. My oh my.

[scfire86]

I see SCFire has decided to spread his liberal propaganda over from Firehouse.com. Even on this site Kerry still lost. My oh my.

You know what I like about wacko right wingers? Even when you post something from a conservative publication they scream about the 'liberal' media. Predictable as sunrise.

And yes Bush did beat Kerry. Proving to all of us you are at least a master of the obvious.

Well done.

[xploded]

Thank you from the master of the obvious.

[PrideOfPigTown]

firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime


I was a little short last year could someone mail me the balance,

[Chia6004]

Couple of things those salaries are ridiculous for are proffesion, having a moron make that much money is laughable, IMO FF aren't worth that much I have limited college and I make as much money as some college grads its a joke really. its simple economics to give that type of money to a unskilled proffesion is moronic anyone can be a FF so the wages should reflect that. Don't get me worng if some agency was willing to pay me 95k a year for what I do know I would jump for it.

I live in the IE and I live comfortable which is where most of the FF for LACOFD, RCOFD, SBCOFD, LAFD, RFD etc live as well as CDF and the USFS.

[SouthsideLadderMan]

That is just what a FF makes in Orange County California. With the high cost of living in California, they have to pay Firefighters that much so they don't have to live in Nevada or Mexico and can afford to buy a home where they work.

Personally, I will take my measly $52,960 a year and stay away from Kalifornia.

[Loo for life]

for my liberal friend (scfire86) as you say that was an O-P-I-N-I-O-N E-D-I-T-O-R-I-A-L or "OP ED" piece which means that it was one man's opinion thus and since everyone is entitled to there opinion he exercised his!

I work in the "LIBERAL" blue state areas of the U.S.A. and those wonderful people spend more time trying to cut service to spend on bullshit welfare or special group needs programs. I see the democratic mayor of Pittsburgh is public safety friendly as are the Mayors of Philly and Baltimore OOOOO by the way they are blue staters too!! So please feel free to keep them all

So relax my friend cause I will keep my conservative, IAFF leader questioning and liberal bashing leanings since they have served me well for over 27 yrs in the fire service!! ;)

And EMTMOM is your cleavage really that nice... Just wondering wooo hooo :eek:

[scfire86]

Couple of things those salaries are ridiculous for are proffesion, having a moron make that much money is laughable

Speak for yourself.


, IMO FF aren't worth that much I have limited college and I make as much money as some college grads its a joke really.

Speak for your self. And learn some grammar.


its simple economics to give that type of money to a unskilled proffesion is moronic anyone can be a FF

Speak for yourself. I'm glad you are not my co-worker. I wouldn't want a moron for a peer.


Don't get me worng if some agency was willing to pay me 95k a year for what I do know I would jump for it.

So now you admit you're a hypocrite.


I live in the IE and I live comfortable which is where most of the FF for LACOFD, RCOFD, SBCOFD, LAFD, RFD etc live as well as CDF and the USFS.

Most of my colleagues have more than three teeth. Might be why fewer of them live in the IE.

[scfire86]

for my liberal friend (scfire86) as you say that was an O-P-I-N-I-O-N E-D-I-T-O-R-I-A-L or "OP ED" piece which means that it was one man's opinion thus and since everyone is entitled to there opinion he exercised his!



I can only speak for my locale. I work in a very red environment. And the local media is critical of public employees. Public safety employees to be more exact. So I'll take my chances with the Libs.

[Emtmom]

And EMTMOM is your cleavage really that nice... Just wondering wooo hooo :eek:Well, lets just say if I ran like the avatar does, I'd get a black eye!

[scfire86]

Well, lets just say if I ran like the avatar does, I'd get a black eye!


C'mon, we want pics.

[Emtmom]

C'mon, we want pics.
of course you do, cause men are such visual creatures....and as much of a flirt and a tease as I am, the answer is NO! Sorry, not the kind of pics I'm willing to share with strangers! Nice try though!

[joefireman]

[QUOTE=PrideOfPigTown]firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime


I think that you put the commas in the wrong place. Are you sure you didn't mean $9,200 to $12,200?

[joefireman]

Hey, for a fee......... I'll pose for some pics.

[Emtmom]

Hey, for a fee......... I'll pose for some pics.
Then how come you never sent me any???????????????????? I think we could work out payment hon!

[Emtmom]

[QUOTE=PrideOfPigTown]firefighter earns $92,000 to $122,000 a year, including overtime


I think that you put the commas in the wrong place. Are you sure you didn't mean $9,200 to $12,200?
They were in Firehouse magazine a couple months ago. Problem is like my friend said they may make that much out in Ca., but it's hard to live on that money out there.

[joefireman]

What do you know about liberal propaganda? The fact that Kerry lost doesn't seem to sound like Liberal propaganda to me. And, I don't think I approve of Firehouse.com being labeled as an agent of liberal propaganda. See, Firehouse.com is a news of the fire service page, liberal propaganda is just that. People don't like your traditional idea of the useful, productive, nuclear(don't ask) family so they try to tell you that acting like an idiot is good for you. You know, things like "I've been hunting for (?so many) years, see I have a picture of me with a gun and I promise if I get elected I will take guns away from everybody so that everybody will be safe and PETA will be recognized as a positive government entity" Go figure.

[joefireman]

Yeah, I think that was the point I was trying to make. As much as some people like to cut budgets, I don't think that they understand. HEHEHEHEHE (I think that was the point I was trying to make[yeah I opened myself up])

[joefireman]

I do have some on FirefightersHomering and ffemttimeoff. I think they are REALLY GOOD. Check me out. hehehehehehehehehee

[Emtmom]

I do have some on FirefightersHomering and ffemttimeoff. I think they are REALLY GOOD. Check me out. hehehehehehehehehee
Ummm since I uploaded the ones to FFemttimeoff, (since it is my group) I think I have those ones hon! Those aren't what we are talking about here, and I know that you know that!

(Is it Monday yet??? )

[Chia6004]

Couple of things those salaries are ridiculous for are proffesion, having a moron make that much money is laughable

Speak for yourself.


, IMO FF aren't worth that much I have limited college and I make as much money as some college grads its a joke really.

Speak for your self. And learn some grammar.


its simple economics to give that type of money to a unskilled proffesion is moronic anyone can be a FF

Speak for yourself. I'm glad you are not my co-worker. I wouldn't want a moron for a peer.


Don't get me worng if some agency was willing to pay me 95k a year for what I do know I would jump for it.

So now you admit you're a hypocrite.


I live in the IE and I live comfortable which is where most of the FF for LACOFD, RCOFD, SBCOFD, LAFD, RFD etc live as well as CDF and the USFS.

Most of my colleagues have more than three teeth. Might be why fewer of them live in the IE.
__________________




Your funny really, by your enormous ego I gather you work for a shity, oh my bad a city dept.

Speak for your self. And learn some grammar.

This isn't my senior thesis why do arogant asses always resort to this tactic, attacking spelling and grammar? Does it make you feel superior in some way? I understand though if I worked for a POS dept I would feel threatned by Californias Fire Dept as well.

"Speak for yourself. I'm glad you are not my co-worker. I wouldn't want a moron for a peer."

LOL were not co-coworkers because no city boy can hang with the real Firefighters. Go back to your MA's and leave the real Firefighting to the real Firefighters. As for moron funny. One question, are you heavy rescue qualified? I'am. Are you close to being on USAR team? Do you have the training to fall trees? I really don't care if your medic either because I have zero respect for AMR transfers.

"So now you admit you're a hypocrite."

I'm a hypocrite because I would be willing to be overpaid? You really caught me in a web of hypocrisy.

"Most of my colleagues have more than three teeth. Might be why fewer of them live in the IE."

LOL There it is I knew it. Tell ya what I will respect you city boys when you punch in a 14 thoudsand foot hoselay and don't bitch about it. Who I'm I kidding though that will never happen.

As far as attacking the IE well I really dont care what a yuppie has to say about me go and my peers, It could also be that I'm not stuupid enough to buy a 2 bedroom house for 535k.

[scfire86]

Your funny really, by your enormous ego I gather you work for a shity, oh my bad a city dept.

Speak for your self. And learn some grammar.

This isn't my senior thesis why do arogant asses always resort to this tactic, attacking spelling and grammar? Does it make you feel superior in some way? I understand though if I worked for a POS dept I would feel threatned by Californias Fire Dept as well.

"Speak for yourself. I'm glad you are not my co-worker. I wouldn't want a moron for a peer."

LOL were not co-coworkers because no city boy can hang with the real Firefighters. Go back to your MA's and leave the real Firefighting to the real Firefighters. As for moron funny. One question, are you heavy rescue qualified? I'am. Are you close to being on USAR team? Do you have the training to fall trees? I really don't care if your medic either because I have zero respect for AMR transfers.

"So now you admit you're a hypocrite."

I'm a hypocrite because I would be willing to be overpaid? You really caught me in a web of hypocrisy.

"Most of my colleagues have more than three teeth. Might be why fewer of them live in the IE."

LOL There it is I knew it. Tell ya what I will respect you city boys when you punch in a 14 thoudsand foot hoselay and don't bitch about it. Who I'm I kidding though that will never happen.

As far as attacking the IE well I really dont care what a yuppie has to say about me go and my peers, It could also be that I'm not stuupid enough to buy a 2 bedroom house for 535k.

And to quote the immortal Olson Johnson,

"Who can argue with that?"

And that must be why CDF was sponsoring a bill (AB 1362) that would have given them binding arbitration. Because they like having members who work long hours for low pay. Give up the he-man hero 'tude and your long hose.....lay. It ain't (there I used bad grammar) going to sell here.

Matter of factly, I am USAR qualified. What's your point? And I also know how to fell trees. It ain't (oops did it again) rocket surgery. I like how you assumed I'm a medic, when in fact I am not. No surprises there.

And you may want to reread the section of the Bible that details why envy is a deadly sin.

[scfire86]

Ummm since I uploaded the ones to FFemttimeoff, (since it is my group) I think I have those ones hon! Those aren't what we are talking about here, and I know that you know that!

(Is it Monday yet??? )

Links please? My wife has a pet phrase. "I'm from Missouri". And she is.

[burning85]

SCFIRE86-your avatar is pretty cool!

[STEALTH MODE]

Yeah, I have to say I'd like to get a look at those pictures of also - went to those sites and coudn't find them! Anyone who comes on here and says "check out my pictures" and goes on to say how good they look is worth looking at... Now, just gotta see these pics!

[scfire86]

SCFIRE86-your avatar is pretty cool!

Perfect for looking at those pics of emtmom.

[Emtmom]

Perfect for looking at those pics of emtmom.since you joined my group I guess I get to take that as a compliment!
Thanks hon

[burning85]

Perfect for looking at those pics of emtmom.

lol...EMTMOM!!! you have a fan club!! nice! :p

[STEALTH MODE]

Ok, went and saw all the pictures (EMTMOM & JoeFireman) - all pictures look GREAT!

[Emtmom]

Ok, went and saw all the pictures (EMTMOM & JoeFireman) - all pictures look GREAT!
Thanks hon.....so now when are you guys going to post yours??????? :)

[STEALTH MODE]

Ha, not as bold as you guys when it comes to posting my picture - hence the name STEALTH... ha-ha, sorry!

[Emtmom]

Ha, not as bold as you guys when it comes to posting my picture - hence the name STEALTH... ha-ha, sorry!Hmmmm do you have feathers???? LOL :p

[STEALTH MODE]

CHICKEN?? Guess since I'm considered a "chicken" I must have SOME feathers! Attempting the ol' guilt trip, are ya?

Aww... If only I had a conscience, sigh...

[Emtmom]

CHICKEN?? Guess since I'm considered a "chicken" I must have SOME feathers! Attempting the ol' guilt trip, are ya?

Aww... If only I had a conscience, sigh...I'm a mom I have to try the guilt trip! ROFL

[Chia6004]

And to quote the immortal Olson Johnson,

"Who can argue with that?"

And that must be why CDF was sponsoring a bill (AB 1362) that would have given them binding arbitration. Because they like having members who work long hours for low pay. Give up the he-man hero 'tude and your long hose.....lay. It ain't (there I used bad grammar) going to sell here.

It wasn't a "he-man hero tude" It was a statement of fact. Every time I've worked with City FFs on hoselays, they bitch moan and complain. It's like being sournded by little kids who had their candy taken away. If they want to think that they are CDF's equals in all things they should act the part.

Full text of ab 1362.

AB 1362, Wiggins. Labor dispute arbitration: firefighters and
law enforcement officers.
Existing law provides that if an impasse has been declared after
the representatives of an employer and firefighters or law
enforcement officers have exhausted their mutual efforts to reach
agreement over economic issues as defined within the scope of
arbitration, and if the parties are unable to agree to the
appointment of a mediator, or if a mediator is unable to effect
settlement of a dispute between the parties, the employee
organization may request, by written notification to the employer,
that their differences be submitted to an arbitration panel. An
employer is defined for purposes of these provisions to mean any
local agency employing firefighters or law enforcement officers, or
an entity, except the state, acting as an agent of any local agency,
either directly or indirectly.
This bill would additionally apply these provisions to disputes
between persons employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection who are members of a specified state bargaining unit, and
state employers.

Notice how they were extending it to CDF Firefighters.

Matter of factly, I am USAR qualified. What's your point? And I also know how to fell trees. It ain't (oops did it again) rocket surgery. I like how you assumed I'm a medic, when in fact I am not. No surprises there.

You are USAR which one? I have the utmost respect for you if you are on a team because I know how hard it is to get on one.

As for falling trees. Where did you attend falling school, unless your LACOFD I find it hard to believe that any city dept would train their people in a skill that they will never use.

If you aren't a medic I offer my apologies. That to me is one of the worst things to call anyone if you are a real FF my bad.

And you may want to reread the section of the Bible that details why envy is a deadly sin.

LOL, envy, not really. I was tired and grumpy when I wrote those last posts, it sounded really bitchy, I know, and my english was F-d up. I can't even tell WTF I was trying to say at times.



I came off really bad I apologise, My point about our salaries is that I would rather have that money go towards equipment and training then raising my Income tax. If there is some money left over for raises great, but that money could be put to far better use then overpaying us.

The only other thing I have to say is that I do respect all FF's and all depts, except for a certain City Dept that almost got me and my crew killed in 03, we all have are strengths CDF's is Wildfire, cities are good for MA's and Str fires, are issue w/ str fires is dept policy of making are company officer have to run the pump, run the incident, maintain crew accountability and sometimes making a Fire attack. Thats the promblem w/ only using a FAE are CAPT, Instead of both. Are chief is trying to fix that though.

[scfire86]

You are USAR which one? I have the utmost respect for you if you are on a team because I know how hard it is to get on one.


Until I decided to leave, I was on CA-TF5.

[Chia6004]

Sweet thats Orange County Fire right? I take back everything I said about you now. Thats one of the few other depts that I respect completely.

Do you know when OCFA is accepting apps again?

[scfire86]

Don't know. Right now there is no date set for an open test.

And yes, I work for OCFA.

[joefireman]

Yeah, I have to say I'd like to get a look at those pictures of also - went to those sites and coudn't find them! Anyone who comes on here and says "check out my pictures" and goes on to say how good they look is worth looking at... Now, just gotta see these pics!


I don't remember saying how GOOD they looked. I just said I had some pics. As for the other pics... well, I'll just have to get the cash first.

[Emtmom]

I don't remember saying how GOOD they looked. I just said I had some pics. As for the other pics... well, I'll just have to get the cash first.I'll say how good yours look hon!!!! Of course you already know what I think, didn't we just talk about this last night on the phone? lol