perception of 16 and other TWD'ers

[expresshockey35]

Word has come around that the perception of 16 may have been negatively effected by posts by some that are assumed to be members of 16. As I read back, I can see how one that isn't a member of 16 could get the idea that the 16 house is coming apart with hate and anger towards one another. Yes, there are posts on TWD by TWD members that have taken the low road...even myself, I've spent a few miles on that low road too..

However, I think it needs to be made clear that TWD has no reflection on 16's true self. 16 is a strong department filled with willing and able bodies, who, for the most part, get along great with each other..go to each other's houses, hang out at the station together, train together, and when needed, work very well together. Posts on TWD were intented for entertainment purposes only, to rib each other and to have fun..NOT to air the "skidmarks" that EVERY department has..perhaps the only difference between 16 and other departments is that the internet spread those "skidmarks" farther than they should have.

I hope that those who have perceived 16 negatively due to TWD posts will read this and understand that not all posts are by 16 members, and not one single TWD'er represents all of 16 and our abilities as a fire department.

I will close with this....16 is a great fire department, filled with very qualified members who put in a lot of time and effort towards the cause, and it would be a damn shame for a very small few to ruin all of their hard work. Myself included, so goodbye TWD...expresshockey35 signing off...retiring from TWD..perhaps it will be a Michael Jordan retirement, but a retirement none the less!

[ctlieutenant]

[QUOTE=expresshockey35]Word has come around that the perception of 16 may have been negatively effected by posts by some that are assumed to be members of 16. As I read back, I can see how one that isn't a member of 16 could get the idea that the 16 house is coming apart with hate and anger towards one another. Yes, there are posts on TWD by TWD members that have taken the low road...even myself, I've spent a few miles on that low road too..

You couldn't have hit the nail any squarer on the head then you did with the above post. As an outsider when you read multiple posts were members talk about lack of training,shitty gear so on and so fourth not to mention insulting other members and officers yes it is very easy to build a negative opinion about a department.

However, I think it needs to be made clear that TWD has no reflection on 16's true self. 16 is a strong department filled with willing and able bodies, who, for the most part, get along great with each other..go to each other's houses, hang out at the station together, train together, and when needed, work very well together. Posts on TWD were intented for entertainment purposes only, to rib each other and to have fun..NOT to air the "skidmarks" that EVERY department has..perhaps the only difference between 16 and other departments is that the internet spread those "skidmarks" farther than they should have.

I agree that 16 is a great department no argument there. The people who make up the membership again very caring and outgoing individuals. Now how is 16 for a department well I will say this as an officer if I read these posts and didn't know the true 16 would I call you for mutual aid "HELL NO but I do know 16 and your capabilities and have requested your HT for calls, My senior officers have no issues calling for you as well.



I hope that those who have perceived 16 negatively due to TWD posts will read this and understand that not all posts are by 16 members, and not one single TWD'er represents all of 16 and our abilities as a fire department.

But like I have said in the other thread when you air your laundry for all to see , have members bickering and putting the department down it is very easy to make a judgment whether it is right or wrong. And when you have 16 or 93 or 12 after your screen name its not hard to place the member with the department they are affiliated with so yes what they say does reflect upon your department. Take this into consideration years ago 16 had engines only and went only to immediate mutual aid. The HT was bought guess what call volume went up and mutual aid expanded (Willimantic,Plainfield,Pomfret,Yantic and other towns. Then the rescue was bought again outside mutual aid runs and now with the tower even more.What does this mean for you more calls means more justification for newer apparatus, more expierence for the guys makes them better at what they do. So by airing your dirty laundry for all to see hurts your department as people see this and don't see you as professionals.


if you want to see an example of a Connecticut fire forum that doesn't allow dirty laundry to be exposed were you and members of your department can learn and make friends and there is alot of firefighters from and articles about Windham County try this site.

http://www.ctfire-ems.com