Imported post
Well it's a topical subject and even if you don't want to be "drawn in" or voice an opinion as a member of the public you should as divers.In any incident where the EMS are involved with a diving incident the Brigade will attend if required.Now this may occur more than you may think,the first port of call for trapped people is..the Brigade.When kids fall in reservoirs etc.the first people to begin searching is the Brigade,who will you call when your car sets afire..with your full twinset in the boot? These folks do much much more than put fires out,and they do it with less than adequate equipment(eg.the hydraulic cutting gear on appliances)and often without adequate training(eg.water rescues,I know I've done training sessions for them,gratis)
Now they're aware of the deficiencies in kit,training etc,and still they're always there,ready to go into Christ knows what, in case WE need them.And they don't do it for the bloody money,that much is obvious.I work in Further Education at the minute where tutors get approx £18 an hour.It's not an ideal comparison I know,but it does put some things into perspective,altough Teaching in some areas can be rough Teachers don't knowingly face death every time they enter the classroom,Firefighters do.
As a Commercial diver we would'nt bother working for £50 a day,but we're happy to let Firefighters be there to pull us out of the mire,24/7,for not much more.Some people actually have the gall to critisise the strike action,would they do it?I don't know of one Firefighter,and I know a couple,who wanted to strike,I beleive if they were that way inclined they'd be working on a car production line somewhere(no offence intended there).In addition,even though they are on strike,they're still leaving pickets when lives are at risk.
The Govt says it can't afford to pay a decent wage as there is'nt the funds available in that sector.Having spent over 8 years working in the "public sector" maybe they should be a little less idealistic with their ideas and spending and put the money where it's needed - and deserved.2 million to rebuild a Holding Centre for asylum seekers,that they've already burnt down once(there's got to be some irony there).Millions spent "rehabilitating" drug abusers,criminals,paedophiles etc, etc.I ask you? Meanwhile many Firefighters hold down 2 jobs,not just for more money,but just to get by.
Sure,everyone deserves a chance,those who'll risk everything for YOU surely deserve more though?
Well it's a topical subject and even if you don't want to be "drawn in" or voice an opinion as a member of the public you should as divers.In any incident where the EMS are involved with a diving incident the Brigade will attend if required.Now this may occur more than you may think,the first port of call for trapped people is..the Brigade.When kids fall in reservoirs etc.the first people to begin searching is the Brigade,who will you call when your car sets afire..with your full twinset in the boot? These folks do much much more than put fires out,and they do it with less than adequate equipment(eg.the hydraulic cutting gear on appliances)and often without adequate training(eg.water rescues,I know I've done training sessions for them,gratis)
Now they're aware of the deficiencies in kit,training etc,and still they're always there,ready to go into Christ knows what, in case WE need them.And they don't do it for the bloody money,that much is obvious.I work in Further Education at the minute where tutors get approx £18 an hour.It's not an ideal comparison I know,but it does put some things into perspective,altough Teaching in some areas can be rough Teachers don't knowingly face death every time they enter the classroom,Firefighters do.
As a Commercial diver we would'nt bother working for £50 a day,but we're happy to let Firefighters be there to pull us out of the mire,24/7,for not much more.Some people actually have the gall to critisise the strike action,would they do it?I don't know of one Firefighter,and I know a couple,who wanted to strike,I beleive if they were that way inclined they'd be working on a car production line somewhere(no offence intended there).In addition,even though they are on strike,they're still leaving pickets when lives are at risk.
The Govt says it can't afford to pay a decent wage as there is'nt the funds available in that sector.Having spent over 8 years working in the "public sector" maybe they should be a little less idealistic with their ideas and spending and put the money where it's needed - and deserved.2 million to rebuild a Holding Centre for asylum seekers,that they've already burnt down once(there's got to be some irony there).Millions spent "rehabilitating" drug abusers,criminals,paedophiles etc, etc.I ask you? Meanwhile many Firefighters hold down 2 jobs,not just for more money,but just to get by.
Sure,everyone deserves a chance,those who'll risk everything for YOU surely deserve more though?