What's in a name

[Lumox]

Why is it so hard for some to understand why most of us have a big issue with the FEMS thing.......

DCFD Thats who we are....

FEMS Thats What we do...

We are the DC Fire Dept. We Provide Fire And Emergency Medical Services(as well as others)

[A A Bandit]

FEMS sounds gay just like the FIRE CHIEF.

[oldhead]

It's fems administrator. And how does gay matter? Really? Who effen cares? I don't care if our leader has five arms and six heads, is green, purple, orange, or taupe. I don't care if our leader is Shinto, Catholic, Hebrew, Buddhist, Muslim, or Irish. It don't effen matter. What I do know is what's going on now ain't leadership. What the hell is taupe anyway?!?

[Hydro Engineer]

FUCKEllerbe'sManagementStyle

That's in this name:mad:

[FEMS Only]

Jack Evans just introduced a bill to prevent the agency name change FROM DCFD to anything else. AWESOME!!!!! He said it is an iconic name in line with FDNY and NYPD. HELL YEAH!!! Co-sponsored by Marion Barry:D:D:D:D:D:D

[megAKook]

Hell Yeah!!!!


Marion Barry later removed his Co-sponsorship. WTF! anyone know where you can find proposed legislation. I want to see Evans' bill.

[FEMS Only]

So what's our "Official" name?

[megAKook]

DCF etc.D

or DCED
everything department
if we do this we would only have to add a small line to the bottom of the "F"

or DCFTRHFPSCHTLAARSDD

DC Fire, EMS, Technical Rescue, Hazmat, Fire Prevention, Street calls, Hydrant testing, Lift assist, Alarm resetting, Smoke detector distribution.

you may have to wear long sleeves to fit this on a shirt.

[DCFDRescue2]

DC Fire And General Services

Not my creation, but a funny one which encompasses everything.

[Hydro Engineer]

District's Complete Fire Department
:D:D:D

[FEMS Only]

Since you stole that from my facebook status (or from someone who borrowed it from my status) can you at least put that on your posting? I would hate for someone to think that you and I are the same individual.

Sid Polish

No prob, I just saw to repost this. Now I know where it came from. As does everyone else. I will research the source of all postings that are followed by "repost" before reposting the original posting, and I shall name the poster that posted something that was reposted with a request to repost. Not before I find the source of the repost however. That would not give credit to the reposter of the post that requested a reposting by the original poster, if they themselves did not repost in the first place. Geeze ;):rolleyes:

[dcfdsid]

http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/general/mission.shtml

Mission Statement of the New York City Fire Department (better known as FDNY)

As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts.

Core Values of the Department

SERVICE
The Department continues its unwavering call to protect and serve.

BRAVERY
Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training.

SAFETY
We strive to keep our citizens free from danger, especially deliberate, harmful acts. With the best equipment and training, the Department can reduce the risk to the public and its members at fires, emergencies and medical incidents.

HONOR
The enormous commitment necessary to perform the Department’s tasks requires excellence of character. We inspire each other through pride in our unit, which is a belief that every action reflects on all the members of the unit, both past and present.

DEDICATION
A commitment to the objectives of our mission is an essential part of our code of conduct. The faithful observance of duty calls for us to fulfill our obligations professionally and honestly.

PREPAREDNESS
By combining all of the components of our core values, the FDNY will maintain its constant state of readiness to meet all threats and challenges, traditional and new.

[oldhead]

Written by people who KNOW how to write a REAL mission statement...

[Mike Ward]

Mission Statement of the New York City Fire Department (better known as FDNY).

added to this posting about Evan's legislation:

http://firegeezer.com/2011/04/05/fire-and-emergency-services-logo-clarification-act-of-2011/

[oldhead]

Who wants to bet PC will win? :mad:

[pseudonym]

Most of a letter I just sent to Mendelson, compromised of many of the arguments I have heard from the membership against the name change. I would recommend that everyone opposed to the name change send Mr Mendelson (pmendelson@dccouncil.us) a similar letter, as well as sending Mr Evans (jevans@dccouncil.us) a letter of support for his proposed legislation that would protect the DCFD name. If you happen to be a DC citizen as well, make mention of it, as votes get politicians to listen. Here it is:

Mr Mendelson

I am writing as a current DCFD employee to express my deep disappointment with your decision to stand behind Chief Ellerbe's decision to change the name of the department from DCFD to FEMS, prohibiting members from wearing anything with "DCFD" on it, and changing the official patch away from the traditional maltese cross/eagle patch.

While I am completely aware that the EMS task force required by the settlement with the Rosenbaum family suggests changing the name to reflect the EMS mission of the department as a way to improve EMS, the reality is that changing the name will have no positive impact on the quality of EMS service delivered, will serve to decrease already low departmental morale, will add unnecessarily to the city budget while causing direct economic hardship for the members, and perhaps most importantly will only add confusion to the scene of multi-jurisdictional emergencies.

If you look around the country, you will notice that many other fire departments rich with deep tradition, including but not limited to FDNY, LAFD, CFD (Chicago), BFD (Boston), SFFD, and many others are quite capable of providing high levels of EMS care without sacrificing the hundreds of years of tradition, not to mention for lack of a better term, "brand recognition", associated with the names of their respective departments. If the city and department want to truly improve the quality of EMS in DC, they should be much less concerned with superficial changes like what is written on the backs of our shirts, and more concerned with substantial policy changes.

Despite, or more likely because of the fact that FDNY, LAFD, CFD et al proudly represent themselves as a FIRE departments with hundreds of years of pride and tradition, the departments hold the EMS mission to the same high standards to which they hold their fire suppression and other missions. While I have seen the EMS mission improve here slowly over the years, ironically as the FFD has taken a larger role in EMS care, I can honestly tell you that in key aspects of EMS delivery, DC is far behind. Changing a name or a patch will not help. What will help close this gap is instead focusing on actually improving in these areas. Improving the initial training of employees, perhaps even requiring, as many Fire and EMS departments do, that employees already be EMT's to get hired would be one positive step. Improving the continuing education, including but not limited to requiring classroom based and hands on continuing education rather than the current internet based hands off model the department uses would be another step. Further improvements could be made by implementing truly non-punitive processes for quality assurance and quality improvement, providing more support and allowing field providers more leeway in making decisions in the field, actually providing all of the necessary medications and equipment to carry out our own protocols, and creating an ambulance/medic unit staffing model that is not only fair throughout the department but also treats firefighters the same as it treats civilian employees. (From watching the hearings I feel that you are under the impression that EMS employees are treated unfairly, but they enjoy many benefits such as time and a half overtime and the ability to place themselves on sick leave without clinic approval that not only drive up costs, but decrease the availability of ALS units citywide.) Until such substantial changes are made, the idea that changing the name alone could improve EMS care seems like a naive band-aid at best, and a cover up at worst.

Further, changing the name and prohibiting those in the FFD from wearing "DCFD" clothing/uniforms will do nothing but decrease morale. Most employees in the FFD chose to work for DCFD not only because of their love of the city, but because of the proud tradition of the department. While it is true that some may not enjoy the EMS aspect of the their calling (and if you ask the actual backstep firefighters and line officers, working for DCFD is in fact a calling, not a "job") as much as they enjoy the fire suppression aspect, I can guarantee you that so long as they wear "DCFD" on their backs and represent all of the pride and tradition that the department name implies, they give everything in their ability to deliver the highest quality of care, not only with regards to EMS, but with regards to everything they do while representing the department.

In addition to its morale lowering effects, the name change has direct economic impact not only on the city, but on the members of the department. While the cost of ordering new patches and uniforms, relabeling current uniforms and vehicles, changing letterhead, and all other necessary items to reflect the new "FEMS" name would be relatively low as compared to the department budget as a whole, I would argue, as would many citizens, that any cost associated with a name change is excessive in these tough economic times. Further, the direct cost to members is unacceptable. Given that the department fails to supply its own members with work shirts that are NFPA compliant or any sort of rain or winter gear, instead requiring them to make such purchases out of pocket and without the aid of any uniform allowance or other such economic help, the economic burden on the members who would be required to spend hundreds of dollars each on gear just to stay safe, dry, and warm in performance of our already dangerous duties is unacceptable, and quite frankly disrespectful.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, changing the name from "DCFD" to "FEMS", will create confusion on multi-jurisdictional incidents. While the stated reason for reverting away from the maltese cross/eagle patch is that it does not include a DC flag (something that could easily be modified without getting rid of the entire patch, much as it was previously modified to be more representative of our EMS mission), it confused me that the new suggested name of the department, "FEMS", does not include any reference to the city. More than just being inconsistent in the internal message that sends to employees, the lack of DC in the name fails to identify who we are. "DCFD" clearly identifies us as the DC Fire Department. "FEMS" identifies what we do, but not "who we are". On any multi-jurisdictional incident (usually large in scale and covered widely by media) we will be working with any one of AFD, MCFRS, PGFD, or any number of other departments whose initials readily identify the jurisdiction they represent, making them easily identifiable which allows large incidents to run more smoothly. In addition to this lack of ability to quickly identify ourselves by our proposed new acronym as the "DC" in "DCFD" does, the "FEMS" initials could easily MIS-Identify us as a federal and not local agency, as many federal agencies who may also respond have similar acronyms (FEMA and FBI for example). Not only does this have the potential to create confusion at an emergency scene, such confusion in a large scale emergency could be dangerous and even deadly, not only for responders, but for the public we protect daily.

Recently, your fellow council member, Mr Evans, has proposed legislation that would protect the DCFD name and the ability of members to wear DCFD lettered uniforms. I humbly request that you take the facts I have presented you, re-consider your support for Chief Ellerbe in this matter, and support Mr Evans and the members of the DCFD who put their lives on the line protecting not only you, but all citizens and visitors to our nations great capitol on a daily basis.

[SIMPLETON]

http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/general/mission.shtml

Mission Statement of the New York City Fire Department (better known as FDNY)

As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts.

Core Values of the Department

SERVICE
The Department continues its unwavering call to protect and serve.

BRAVERY
Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training.

SAFETY
We strive to keep our citizens free from danger, especially deliberate, harmful acts. With the best equipment and training, the Department can reduce the risk to the public and its members at fires, emergencies and medical incidents.

HONOR
The enormous commitment necessary to perform the Department’s tasks requires excellence of character. We inspire each other through pride in our unit, which is a belief that every action reflects on all the members of the unit, both past and present.

DEDICATION
A commitment to the objectives of our mission is an essential part of our code of conduct. The faithful observance of duty calls for us to fulfill our obligations professionally and honestly.

PREPAREDNESS
By combining all of the components of our core values, the FDNY will maintain its constant state of readiness to meet all threats and challenges, traditional and new.

WHAT REALLY KILLS ME IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWERS!!
why not set your own standard, It reminds me of the Phoenix Fire issue, Every dept in North America wants to mirror off Bunicini's Rube Dept.
Please be your own man and make your own path-way Sure our brothers in NEW YORK have set some great traditions in our career. PLEEESE When your lover rube was here in Hot'Lanta he followed Bunicini's core " Every one goes home " GEEEEEZZZZEE How special is that SID ? How original is that Sid ?:D Don't be hatting' on me Boo for making a point DC fire has lots of great tradition and many great men have made it what it is today. SO be your own MAN or WOMEN and set the trend THE HELL W/ PHOENIX AND NEW YORK CITY. ohhh yes just one other point if I may .... somewhere in N - W DC sits a young firefighter reading these Simple posts and saying 1 day I'll make this Dept what it needs to be:p

[rescuedude]

See link below, interesting. . . . .


http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/city-state/2011/apr/5/evans-dcfd-ok/

[Lumox]

To top it all off, I went to the property division and got 4 new short sleave shirts open the box and they had rubins eagle patch. So I asked about the new old patch and was told they would give me 4 to replace the eagle patch. well ok then how about the voucher to have them put on......"No the chief said it would cost to much to do that for the whole dept you have to pay for it"

What wrong with this picture He wants us to wear different issued shirts but we have to foot the bill for that too. I'm sure all the membership would be happy to do that right?:confused:

[TCosgroveJones]

I wasn’t gonna say much about this re branding. However I just read something that I think pertains to this subject.
It’s only 147 years old but I think the words still pertain to today.

“ It is no child’s play to destroy an organization which the habits and needs of years hade made a living thing, and which was endeared to the people by acts of the noblest heroism ! For many years it had served the community faithfully. And rendered valuable and important service. It has numbered many brave and generous men in its organization, and can boast many deeds of gallantry, self sacrifice and heroism.”

Of course when these words were written we were the Washington City Fire Department and would not become the
District of Columbia Fire Department until 1871

The men and women of the DCFD still, to this day exemplify the above words 147 years latter. I see no need for
re branding.

Cosgr:Dve

[oldhead]

This is just the easiest way for someone to make their mark, leave a legacy, a stab at immortality. I for one wish we'd just stick with one damn patch and leave it alone. I'll say this again: No one is under any obligation to put the old new patch on their uniform at their expense. The department won't give you a voucher? Document it in the journal and keep wearing your old shit. We are supposed to be supplied uniforms and this includes the cost of any alterations that are required. We have got to be the only fems organization in the DC metro area that doesn't supply full uniforms for its members. The fems administrator opened this can of worms under cover of mere recommendations, he can solve it.

[eyeofthestorm]

so grays changed the slogan of the city to "one city, one government, one voice"

how about "one city, one department, one DCFD"

[FEMS Only]

FEMS means a few things to me, none of which have anything to do with our department, but everything to do with our chief.:D

[Hydro Engineer]

OK, at the bottom of this Article is a vote. :cool: So vote your Conscience :p

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/dc_fire_department_logo_creates_fire/2011/04/06/AFr43rpC_blog.html?wprss=rss_local
:D:D

[pseudonym]

So far the overwhelming majority of the voters in the admittedly unscientific Washington Post reader poll, 96% of the 2313 voters, have voted for keeping DCFD. That is 2220 for DCFD, only 93 for FEMS.