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| A fiery issue |
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| Written by Jennifer Wadsworth / Tracy Press / | |
| Wednesday, 14 May 2008 | |
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Response times for Tracy fire crews are less-than-optimum, according to a recent report, with much of downtown Tracy outside the desired five-minute response area. And fire officials say it's an issue that needs immediate attention.
Ideally, firefighters should have arrived in the span of five minutes — the local benchmark for rural emergencies. But response time standards are just that, an ideal, Tracy Fire Department officials say, and failure to meet them has local authorities looking at what to fix and how to fix it. "Realistically, we’re not always going to make it in that time frame," Division Chief Andy Kellogg said the day after his company’s time-consuming off-road expedition. And with Tracy’s rural fire district reaching from the city’s immediate outskirts to the Altamont foothills, one call like Thursday’s could skew response-time averages for an entire three-month period, he added. "The statistics can be misleading." Still, he admits, the department needs to step up its game. A report issued recently by the South County Fire Authority points out dozens of suggestions to quicken the agency’s reflex. For one, it finds the standards in place are unrealistic. Plus, they’ve never been met. Response times will look a lot better — at least on paper — should the local benchmark be changed to match the standards suggested in the report, which has been in the works for two years. First-responders strive to show up to urban calls within five minutes 95 percent of the time. But the reality is that only 70 percent of those calls are met within that time frame. The agency aims to get to a rural call, like the one made from rural Tracy last week, within five minutes 50 percent of the time. Just 29 percent of rural dispatches met that mark last year — a 2 percent drop from the year before. New benchmarks will reflect national response time standards, specifically those recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. The goals: 90 percent of all city calls should be met within five minutes or less, while 90 percent of rural calls should be reached in 10 minutes or less.
Though the new standards would barely affect the statistics for city calls, the numbers for rural emergencies would see a drastic improvement. Doubling the time from dispatch to arrival at a fire outside city limits will enable the deadline to be met 78 percent of the time, instead of the department’s one-third success rate. For urban calls, the statistic for on-time responses will stay roughly the same. In Mountain House, the standard would already be met. Response times to urgent calls in that planned community have steadily improved. In 2003 and 2004, firefighters reached only 5 percent of Code 3 calls — the highest emergency level — in time. Now, crews make it to 60 percent of those calls in the same deadline. Fuel to the fire An ever-growing population and a relatively slow-growing fire department have overwhelmed first-responders, said consultant William Kirchoff, who was hired by the fire department for $24,000 to compile recommendations to improve response time and overall efficiency. After Kirchoff came up with 33 suggestions, a board of fire administrators, local union members and city staffers prioritized the list, honing in on a few urgently needed changes. Some of those include adding a new fire engine at one station, more firefighters at two others and creating a new position for a safety officer. "Having more people there will be a direct improvement to response time, if we get more people staffed," Chief Chris Bosch said. "We basically had to see what top five recommendations would help stop this bleeding, this degradation of response time." If nothing’s done, the statistics will just get worse, he added. One of the most pressing long-term goals the report identified is to relocate and build new stations.
Though firefighters got to a fire that broke out in a duplex on Ninth Street within three minutes of the first call May 3, responses that quick are rarer than they should be, Bosch said. Apparently, a fire truck happened to be stationed a few blocks away at Tracy High School, which was crowded with thousands of people that day for the annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life fundraiser. It was lucky the engine was so close, Kellogg said. "But it was an exceptional response," he added. "Most of the time, that’s how it is." But not enough of the time, countered a handful of members from the Tracy Firefighters Association, the department’s local union chapter. Should the short-term recommendations — like adding staff and conducting another study — be put in place, it would cost the department an extra $1 million this coming year. Longer-term fixes, like increasing staff and relocating or adding new fire stations, would cost many millions more and take years to implement. The exact cost is still unknown. What is known, though it that the city faced a $6 million budget shortfall this year, with even larger deficits projected in the next couple of years. The city plans to use reserves so no cuts in employees will be necessary for now. The quickest fixes, Kellogg said, are policy changes, like changing response-time standards and trying to keep fire engines within their assigned coverage areas. In Mountain House, response times have drastically improved because the station kept its fire trucks within the station’s five-minute coverage area, he said. "Even something that simple, that costs nothing to implement, can really improve our response," Kellogg said. And it’s about time, according to Tony Perez, president of the local firefighters union. "Our response times have been unacceptably low," Perez said. "If we do nothing, it could get worse by about 2 percent every year." The department was a little lax in addressing response-time shortfalls, Bosch said. "We in the fire department take ownership of that," he said last week. "We haven’t in the past done as effective a job as we probably should have. We didn’t really push when there was a response-time concern." In comparison, Manteca firefighters respond to emergency calls in about five minutes between 80 and 90 percent of the time, Manteca’s Interim Fire Chief Chris Hass said. "Because it’s an average of five minutes, the percentage we get there is pretty high," he said. It’s tough to compare Tracy to other cities, Kellogg said, because the standards and population vary so much. n We want to hear what you have to say. To reach Tracy Press reporter Jennifer Wadsworth, call 830-4225 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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To improve response time for Tracy's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods there needs to be a fire station in the vicinity, something other than the gridlocked fire station between Corral Hollow Rd and Lincoln Blvd. on 11th St, How about a temporary station at the old Levand's Chevrolet building at the corner of Holly Dr and 11th St. or the old J. C. Penny building at 10th an B St, maybe the unused Don Hardy Ford building at 11th and B St. Then when the bowtie area is developed a new fire station could be included. All these buildings even if used temporarily would need major improvements. We wouldn't want our first responders or their equipment trapped when the Big One hits. If the Fireman's Union finds the suggested sites aesthetically unacceptable then the City could initiate the powers of eminent domain and take possession of the old Hagstroms's (now Bank of America) building and have a nice brick building with drive-thru and vault. Question is, why is it so difficult to place fire trucks near potential fires?
seedeem, the firefighters would not be up to par if they sat in their fire truck and engines waiting for a fire all day. Unless you can predict where they will be.
I think the question is, does seedeem think the firefighters sit around all day doing nothing? BTW, I wouldn't want our TFD trapped during an earthquake. They couldn't save everyone but they would probably try. maybenotdumBcommenT's comment to seedeem makes sense if TFD had roving fire engines doing what police vehicles are doing but with the price of gasoline that now seems out of the question for those gas thirsty engines. Police do not predict where crime is going to occur either but they're out there patrolling the city. I'm not saying that the fire department sits around all day but they sure have some comfortable recliners surrounding those big screen tv's.  To all the police and firefighters in Tracy.....Thank you.
In reading this article I wonder where it says in the article that the reason it took so long to get to the call was because the dispatcher gave them the wrong address, which happens a lot more than it should. So before fingers are pointed, look at the whole picture. Second, what about AMR, the ambulence, where were they? This was a medical call, not a fire, the ambulence should have been there as well. Did it take the ambulence 40 minutes to get there too? How come they aren't getting some blame as well? Did they get the wrong address too? Back in 1988 there were 3 station within city limits in Tracy. Fast foward to 2008, there are still only 3 stations in Tracy yet the population has tripled. So before anyone points fingers at the Tract fire department, do your research, look at the whole picture and don't always belive everything that is printed in the Tracy press. They get their information "through the grapevine" sometimes.
Having first hand knowledge of the call in question.. It took them 40 minutes to get on scene because the location was about 7+ miles down a dirt road into the hills.. the house was actually pretty close to the border of Santa Clara County. This was a very bad call for the Press to use as an example in their article. Also the Engine was #3 and it came from New J. I mean come on Tracy Press.. the paper only comes out a couple times a week.. you think you would take the time to do some research.. you're better than this.. or, at least you were.
Just glad to see that OUR TRACY FIRE DEPARTMENT is better equipped than other cities of comparable size.
Always room for improvement in everything, every profession. Thank you FP for your dedication!
While I don't feel this is the fault of the Tracy Fire Department (**cough** Ives **cough**), I hate to think I will ever have an emergency before the problem is fixed. I seem to live in the center of a huge TFD dead-zone.
B-dub, I appreciate your comment. The police have a different type of job where crime is on going. Fire and medical are not. The firefighters stay for days at a time so they should have the comfort of home and they also are continually learning as you can see by the computers. They don't sit around all day. They learn new techniques on how to fight fires. Sometimes their families come to visit too after not seeing them for days, Most have young children that don't understand why mommy or daddy are gone so long. It is about safety as well, these new buildings. But of course we do need more fire houses.
Say what you will, I have NO doubt of the commitment of our firefighters, or their compassion for that matter. I was involved in an emergency call to a rural address just a few nights ago. I could hear the sirens coming 2 within minutes, even as we were still on a cellphone at an address that was not easy to find. My hat is off to every single one of these wonderful people.
Just for the record, this is not a public Thank You for saving someone dear to me. I'm relating a 3 day old objective experience, I am not a family member and the outcome of this call was not good but that certainly had nothing to do with those who arrived. They went above and beyond professionalism. They were caring, preserved dignity, were compassionate to family and extremely helpful in contacting the appropriate resources. God Bless them all, and all others like them. If there is a problem, "stepping up their act" is not it. I agree, proximity everything. Town has grown considerably as has the population and thus, the traffic. If there is any "stepping up" to be made in response time I do believe it lies in more stations or less traffic. The west end of town has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. The traffic will not end so a solution is not hard to find. Hard to pay for maybe, but not hard to find. The 11th St station between Lincoln and Corral Hallow, in my opinion was a poor choice of location for just that reason. As someone noted.... gridlock. That's my neighborhood and I avoid it like the plague during high traffic times. Don’t let this turn into another bashing thread, please. NO ONE works harder or cares more than these people.
People, don't forget about the kind and compassionate professionals that work for the ambulance company as well. They are the ones that are front and center of any/all requests for medical service.
The City and UPRR should prosicute arsonists instead of the usual slap on the wrist. The court system here in San Joaquin County should be ashamed of themselves for allowing these cowards to roam around and they play it off as a "Mental condition". Arsonists are a danger to your safety and should be PROSICUTED!!!!!!!!!!!
A word to the wise. If there is a major disaster anywhere, do not expect services to drop everything to assist you. Your actions and answers will save you if you take the bull by the horns and STOCK UP yourself. Keep supplies in an easy to reach location, and have a plan. Dont count on services to be "normal" for at least 3 weeks, and use your 2nd Ammendment right to protect your family.
To: maybenotdumBcommenT
Do you really believe that our Firefighters need Big Screen TV's, Lazy Boys and Sleep Number beds. You talk like our poor Firefighters are away from their families for long periods of time. You do know they only work 10 days a month, right? Thats at least 20 days off a month. That seems pretty good to me.. especially when they're getting paid as much as our Police.. who are out in the elements 20 days a month.. not to mention all the additional hazards. My opinion Firefighters are extremely over paid for what they do.. and all they ever do is whine that they need more.
To:Heavyhitter
Please tell everyone what you do for a living....I am sure it is no where as dangerous or rewarding as a firefighter. You are iggnorant for the things you say, you really have no idea. Yes, they may only work 10 days a month, but they are 24 hour shifts some nights not getting a wink of sleep and using their next day off to recoupe.Not to mention they work year round, away from their families for christmas, thanksgiving, birthdays, school plays, etc. The fire department doesn't close for the holidays, it takes total commitment. Think before you write.
C'mon now, let's not bash the firefighters for having big screen tv's and comfy recliners in their stations. They were always inviting us to dinner, or bbq, when I was working and those recliners are really comfortable although we were told to remove our Sam Brown's before sitting down.
It seems that a few out there are missing the point. Big screen Tv's, who's more important; Police, fire, ambulance. Work schedules...
These are all secondary points. The facts are simple. The city has tripled in size while the City of Tracy has continually failed to provide more stations or firefighters. The article talked about ways for the firefighters to speed up response. Well they can change response times or have their firefighters run a little faster but nothing major is going to change until the city fulfills their obligations to the citizens. I have been paying alot of taxes yet it obviously isn't being spent on more stations. City of Tracy, if you don't want to spend the money slow the growth. Slow growth doesn't seem so bad now days. At the very least a little pre-planning would have been nice. Ah but the developers/council don't want to do that.... Here's an idea, maybe we can... pimp out... I mean sell some future housing permits in 2017 or 2018 for a fire station, or at least find a way to tip the water out the Surland/Souza swimming pool next time there is a fire.
Does it have to be a "full-fledged" fire station or can the fire department work out of a sub-station like TPD does/did at the mall? Implementing something like this could put a fire crew in a residential development. Lots of homes in foreclosure. Why can't some of these be purchased by the city and altered into a sub-station? Just my opinion but I'm sure there has to be studies taken and noise would be a problem. They have the station at Central and Tracy Bl and there doesn't seem to be a problem with noise from the engines in that neighborhood.
To: annoyed
Are you serious?? What city are you living in that the Firefighters don't get any sleep because they're running calls?? Because it's definitely not this one. I can assure you that "sleepless nights" for the Tracy Firefighters, is few and far between. They're some very well rested individuals. A majority of our stations run at the most, one call a day. And in response to B-dub: I'm definitely not bashing the Firefighters. The frontline guys in Tracy are probably some of the least egotistical in the business. But!! The City is trying to justify them not making their response times, on not enough personnel and stations. How about having the Engines stay at their stations or even in their districts. I can't tell you how many times I've driven by the Downtown Administration office and seen 3 to 4 Engines parked out front for the majority of the day. Can you say poor use of resources. To: heavyhitter............My response to bashing firefighters was not intended to suggest you were bashing. If you will read my response with your tongue in your cheek you'll see that it was all in fun. Kind of cop/firefighter humor. I did drive through town yesterday going to the post office and noticed 4-5 engines parked on 9th St near Central. I can't tell you what the firefighters were doing at that station though. Maybe they were having a training day or making use of those recliners. Just kidding guys.
I don’t usually comment on this site but I would like to say something, recently I had to use the 911 and it was the scariest time of my life. The first people that showed up to my house was the fire department. They were the most wonderful people I have ever met. After they ran the tests, then they put me in the ambulance and took me to the hospital. During the ride to the hospital the person with me made me very uncomfortable and I was scared. I’m sure the ambulance people work hard too but I felt left out while I was with them….. I hope this was a once in a lifetime experience but it was scary…. I love our firefighters!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!
The map on this page is not correct. each of the stations with white arrows next to them are 5 miles away from the city limits. look for yourself
If you check the City's web page you can look at the report mentioned in this article. It's under the fire department link and the report is pretty informative.
To Heavyhitter: You are badly misinformed as to the facts. I have been a firefighter here in Tracy for the better part of two decades. You're right about the sleepless nights being "few and far between" but, you are also wrong. Twenty years ago, we didnt get up in the middle of the night like we do now responding to calls. In today's time, the nights are "few and far between" when we do get to sleep through the entire night. When you see 3 0r 4 fire engines at the downtown administration building, it isnt because we are there to watch "big screen" television. We are there training and making ourselves profecient at what we do. In fact, the last time that I checked, there is only one firehouse in Tracy that has a big-screen TV. And, the men at that firehouse purchased that TV with their own money. If you think we sit around all day in those "comfy" recliners-think again. Cause I can tell you first hand that #1-those recliners are far from "comfy" and #2- we rarely get to sit in them before 6 or 7 oclock at night...if we arent busy responding to calls, training, doing public education, fire prevention, car seat intallations, attending public relations events, checking someone's smoke detector OR the million other things that we do in any 48 (not 24) hour shift. Try getting your facts straight the next time you want to bash us.
The bottom line is that here in Tracy 20 years later we have 50,000 more people and the same amount of fire stations. Dont criticize the firefighters they are doing a good job. Growth has not paid its way in Tracy and im sure Ellis will just compound the problem. I think you need to look at a the long time council members if you want to address the problem.
Well, Thank You for enlightening me Tracyfireman!! Apparentely I was mistaken!! I'm very glad that you guys aren't just sitting around at that Downtown station watching a big screen tv.. it's much more reassuring to know that you're training.
Ok... that's enough stroking you're over enflated ego. So let me see if I got this right. The Fire Department is complaining that they don't have enough Stations, Personnel, or Fire Trucks to make their 5 minute response times.. that your Department promised the citizens that they would do.. Right?? So tell me.. where do all these extra Fire Trucks and Personnel come from to cover the few stations we already have, when you Heroes have 3 to 4 Engines "Training" downtown?? Kinda hard to make your response times when 4 of the districts are uncovered.. don't ya think?? And another question.. Is there any reason you can't train at your own stations??
I have to say, this is all very entertaining to me. It seams like the TFD supports have a million excuses why they can't do their jobs but no solutions. Isn't the fire department supposed to be able to rapidly asses a problem and formulate a solution and implement the solution to mitigate the problem? Isn't that their "bread and butter."
Lets suppose the City of Tracy gives the TFD an extra fire engine do you really think one fire engine will fix the problem? I don't. I'd be interested to see where the problem of response times stems from. I would imagine its not because they don't have enough apparatus or personnel. Its probably slow times out of the station and apparatus out of position when calls come in. Back in the old days the fire engines were almost always in the fire stations unless they were on a call. Now days you hardly ever see the fire engines in the stations. They're cruising the streets, training downtown , at the store or something to that effect. Lets isolate the cause of this issue. And to do so we need an independent oversight committee to asses the situation. The City council should not spend $24,000 on a report thats states the obvious which was probably cooked up with the help of the department. We need independent oversight!
heavyhitter, you realize those are 3 shifts per day, 2 days equaling 6 days and when they are woken up for every call they have interrupted sleep, so they need ease and comfort, to save lives every day is very stressful. You should try it sometime.
Weakslapper, couldn't help but say you spelled assess wrong, I think. Learning new firefighting techniques is an ongoing process and firefighters all over the country are doing the same. I doubt it's slow time out of the station. Tracy grew and our emergency personnel and services has not caught up. From the written tone of heavyhitter's and weakslapper's responses I would have to guess that they are one and the same person.
Here's the link for the report explaining what Tracyfireman is talking about. I couldn't find the report with the 33 recommendations as mentioned in the article but this report is pretty detailed.
http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/departments/fire/soc/
Thank you ebflo, very informative, it is obvious we need more fire Houses and Firefighters. And I believe they are saying the same in this report.
maybenotdumBcommenT,
First, what training are you doing at admin that you can't do at your fire house? Second, where in the report does it suggest that you take 4 engine companies and move then to one centralized location for several hours a day, sometimes during the most heaviest traffic hours of the day? Third, We'll give you more firehouses and firemen if you take a pay cut. Lets see how committed you are to public safety give the city back 4% off the top of everyone on line. Then in the future, when you have say 10 fire houses staffed with 3 guys each and a truck staffed with 4, we'll give you back your 4% only if you make 90% of the calls on time. We'll call it an incentive based pay raise system. And if you can make it to 95% we'll give you an additional 2%. Lets see you earn your raises rather than get them based on cost of living increases. Also give back 8% of the paramedic bonus. Then we'll make an incentive based pay scale for your paramedics as well. Something to make them strive to be better paramedics. I'd be willing to give you what ever you feel you need to do the job but I want to see improvements and dramatic ones at that. I also want to see a pay scale based on performance like us "regular joe's" have in the corporate world. You shouldn't be entitled a raise just because you show up to work.
Here we go again, I'm not a firefighter first off. The reason they take all their trucks and engines to one location when they are training is so they can be dispatched immediately and with no other delays, duh. They train together to cut the cost of going to separate houses PLUS they have to train together because they HAVE to work together in a fire, duh. It is not the fault of our firefighters they don't have enough houses. They do what they can with what they are given, I know we need more Fire houses to better response time. Are you an ice cream vendor or something, I'm sure your life is not on the line every time you go fight a fire or go with the ambulances on every call. Quote, Lets see you earn your raises rather than get them based on cost of living increases, unquote. They earn it, considering they are short on staff and probably work overtime to make up for the need for more FF. They put their lives on the line for every fire call they go on.
If you want improvements go to a city council meeting, they are the ones that decide these things, not the Firefighters. You seem clueless to the work they really do. Now that the fire season has hit they will be working that overtime. Did you calculate that Weakslapper? Just like construction workers and other seasonal workers.
1) "The reason they take all their trucks and engines to one location when they are training is so they can be dispatched immediately and with no other delays, duh." Wow that is one of the stupidest things I've heard on here to date. I can see how having all your engines in one location when you cover over 250 square miles would prevent you from causing any further delays. Thats sounds about right.
2) Please drive by some time during the day when there are 4 fire engines downtown. They are not training together. They are taking classes. I'm all for them training together, actually I encourage it because you need to be proficient in your job. I realize that the classes are important but why can't they take them in the fire houses? 3) It is partially their fault they can't get anymore firehouses and personnel. The police department asked to get more people but what did the fire department want? Leather helmets, black turnouts and a 48/96 work week. Not more people, fire engines and stations. Instead of asking for raises they should have took a stand and said we need more people, more fire houses and more equipment. Just how committed to public safety are you when you'll take raises when you know the city needs more people but can't afford more people because they are giving raises and spending $4 million on a fire house that is purely a firefighters wet dream. Firefighters are a necessity don't get me wrong. I love what they do and I have the upmost respect for them. However I don't like it when they abuse the system and live like kings for no good reason. I guarantee they don't have these amenities at home so why do they need them at work? Police officers drive cars till they fall apart. They work over time almost every day and work either 3 or 4 days a week. They put their lives on the line day in and day out.
Well Weakslapper, I'll tell you a little secret. Oh never mind, I'll keep you guessing. The reason they have their trucks and engines with them is because it would take them longer to get to a fire if they had to "go back" and get them for the purpose of an emergency. Now for the classes, sometimes they train in real as possible to life situations, like a condemned house. That is also the reason all the vehicles are there, same as above, all the apparatus are on them. Are you really sure about number 3.? I read the report and they know their response time is slow. As far as the 48/96 work week, that is some clever math. Most regular work weeks consist of 40 per week, with evenings and weekends off, so that would be an average of a 40/104 work week, They work 36 days a month while the average citizen works 20 days a month, plus weekends and holidays off.
You should see those old melted hats they use to use. Bet they saved one to prove they were useless. How do you know what they have at home? I haven't seen a police car fall apart yet.
To Heavyhitter and Weakslapper...Why is it that everytime there is a problem in this city, people like you do the only thing they know and that is to bash the public employee and cry things like "oh poor, poor pitiful me" and I'm just a "regular joe" Get over it already! There is always going to be a Fire Department. That fact is never going to go away. Yes, we are paid through tax dollars. But, the last time I checked, your name wasn't on my paycheck. It's very obvious that you are both jealous...Everyone has a choice when it comes to choosing a career in life; perhaps you should have chosen one more rewarding so you wouldnt have to be just another Regular Joe. You know, I'll tell you another thing: No one ever had one complaint about Firemen when they made a wage that was just above the poverty level. I also never hear any complaints when we are there regardless of the situation helping our fellow man.
It all boils down to jealousy....jealousy over money. So sad.
Randolph Mantooth,
Who is calling for the fire department to go away? I want them to improve. I'm pissed off because I pay for a service and I don't feel like the fire department is delivering the service the tax payers are paying for. To say that we're jealous over the amount of money you make is childish. More power to you for fooling someone into giving you that money. You rank up there next to Barry Zito. I think there should be repercussions for not making it to calls on time or ever. But what city councilmen/women wants to go up against the firemen. Its sad that their afraid to standup to you. Same for the fire chief. Its a shame that he doesn't do something to correct the problem. The day he found out that your response times were below the accepted levels he should have done something to correct that. I guess its just gonna take someone's death as a result to the departments laxadesic response times for something to happen. maybenotdumBcommenT, Did you even read what I wrote? You make no sense what so ever. You can't even formulate an intelligent response. I'm not jealous of the fire men. I just think that they could be doing better and that they have no incentive to get better.
Weakslapper, is that the best you could come up with for a response because I'm shaking my head. Not only did I read your comments I followed along with a response so if you can not understand it's your own problem. And when I read that you are not jealous of them it seals the deal, you are mixing me up with what Randolph Mantooth said-OH, unless you think I an him. I'm not.
The fact that you always see them gathered at different locations tells me you haven't been paying attention to the comments. Now listen. When the, firefighters,(not fire men) gather all together they are training, whether it is in the classroom or outside. This is to improve and exercise their knowledge of fire fighting and rescue, such as dragging inconsiderate people like you out of buildings when they are on fire, I'm sure you wouldn't turn down their help if needed, would you?
Its sad how individuals who hate everything will jump to personal attacks and cheap stabs at the firefighters for this. The problem the city faces is not about training locations, firefighter work schedules or how hard they work.
The issue is because of rampant growth with a lack of planning. It's all over the city not just the fire department. Why is it that towns just to the west have it so much better? It's called foresight and good planning. They get good services and healthy businesses and we get traffic problems, lack of public safety and a boatload of strip malls with pizza parlors, nail salons and insurance offices. When the city was allowing 2000 permits a year what did they expect? Now that the city and its services are hitting a breaking point the blame game begins. The saddest part is a few of the above writers quickly cite the work ethic, greed and dedication of the workers. They you want the fire people to use their pay for the increase??? You have fallen into the trap! Blame the council, the leaders not the people. Should be an interesting election....
Fellow readers. I can personally assure you the reason that Tracy engine companies are not making their response times is because we are being lazy or need an incentive to get to calls faster. Fire Engines responding to calls are governed by traffic laws just like everyone else to ensure the safety of the crews and the citizens. Overpaid you say? Don’t deserve a raise just because of cost of living? Tell me, how is me making interest only payments on my 1985 1500sqft house overindulgent. Do I not deserve to own a home or be able to provide for my family? I doubt anyone would have the guts to call my wife when she is at home by herself for two days and tell her that I am not earning my pay. Or how about my friend’s wife who had to endure a home invasion robbery by herself because her husband was at work. Firefighters, Ambulance crew members and police officers sacrifice their own family’s safety to ensure the safety of people they don’t even know. Can you really put a price on that? I worked extremely hard for six years to earn this job and have college education. I am proud to be who I am.
Do you people even read what is written. You assume I'm attacking the fire department. Why are you so defensive. Why is everyone ok with mediocrity? Why is everyone willing to turn a blind eye to the crap that goes on in this town?
I love this town. I want it to be better though. But when I read the paper I see the fire department is showing up late to calls it pisses me off. Someone mentioned that your governed by traffic laws. Well if thats the case then why take 4 fire engines and place them in one centralized location day in and day out. I was under the impression that fire stations are strategically placed around the city so you can make calls faster. I understand you need to train and take your classes or what ever but as it stands right now I don't think the way your doing it is working very well. All of your comments on here are so quick to defend the firemen or to bash someone who has the balls to stand up and say something is wrong. Maybe you need to take a hard look at what is going on here and try to fix it. Someone mentioned they have to live in an 1985 house and only pay interest only. Well thats your fault. I live in an older house as well but I'm paying mine off. I would be willing to bet you that I make less than you too. The only difference is that I have a car that I've been driving around since 1999 and I don't have a boat parked in my front yard. I have money management skills, unlike the majority of people who have left this town in foreclosure. Maybe now would be a good time for you to look for a nicer home. If nobody was willing to stand up against the majority then we'd all be spending pounds today instead of dollars. Keep sticking your heads in the sand folks and we'll see where that takes us.
I have a question...
Why do we not hear about the ambulances being late to calls? Do they have the same problem as the fire engines? Are they showing up late as well? The call in question in the article mentions the guys house was in the mountains. This must be a pretty isolated occurrence having to travel an hour to someone's house. Maybe that wasn't the best call to use as an example. What is the average response time to a call in the city limits for a fire engine and what is the average response time for an ambulance? Isn't there 7 fire engines and 3 ambulances in this area. Come on Roy DeSoto, Ranal Mantooth or Proud FF. Prove to us your doing a good job and that the paper is jaded.
What about the police too? Or is the fire department the only ones who are late to the party?
Maybe thats why they are so defensive. Its because they have something to hide and they want to immediately pull the "fire bashing" card and change the subject when someone asks questions.
by Weakslapper and in your own words, "I'd be interested to see where the problem of response times stems from. I would imagine its not because they don't have enough apparatus or personnel. Its probably slow times out of the station and apparatus out of position when calls come in. Back in the old days the fire engines were almost always in the fire stations unless they were on a call. Now days you hardly ever see the fire engines in the stations."
You have been told why this is like this and you still want to argue about it. They are not in the old days, as you put it. They keep up with the times. Our firefighters work their arses off for you to keep up with the times, instead of watching the big screen TV all day. So when the time comes they will be better then the last time, to save a house from total destruction. People around here like to bash our public servants, at all costs. They try every angle to criticize. They should walk a day in their shoes and see what it is like to stand on a third story floor watching burning melting glass come at you and then put water on it and go blind from the steam. Ya, they work a lot without seeing what is in front of them. In searing heat to rescue people and pets from approaching smoke and flames. It's not the ambulance personnel that grab them out. I think you need a ride along just to feel the adrenaline and anticipation of the exact thing that a FF goes thru with each and every fire call. They never know what they will come upon for each call. The minds rolling.
Nice words(maybenotDumdcomment). Eventually slapper boy will learn than its not the grunts on the streets that make the decisions that impact the community. If Slapper boy wants to bite the hands that may one day come to his aid let him. Ever hear of "KARMA" Slapperboy. Maybe Slapperboy can go find former city manager Fred Diaz and the guy that used to think he was a fire chief, Estes I think was his name. Ask them why they didn't get a fire station built in the mall area when that project was being built? Ask them why the developers were allowed to go on with all their housing developments with no new fire station to help keep response times down? (Heaven forbid we piss off the developers)Why was Estes giving money back to Diaz from his fire budget? Neither one of those 2 let the door hit them in the ass on the way out either. Unfortunatly, the gross incompitence of past administrators have left a huge problem for current leaders to fix. Now its time to play catch up and no slapperboy it won't be cheap.
Quit riding the people that protect us on the streets and start riding the decision makers that have the "juice" to make some positive thing happen. Remember slapperboy,"KARMA". Weakslapper..........personally I don't think you've "got the balls" when all it seems all you're doing is bashing the firefighters. You come across as a malcontent who has nothing better to do than criticize the FF for their training. If you want to get your point across attend a council meeting and make your complaint heard. I worked in public safety also, although not as a FF I still know what their job calls for. If you're having a problem with them driving to one central location for training may I suggest this....sell your home, buy one close to Central and 9th and you won't have to worry about response times.
"Weakslapper" states that firefighters are pulling a "firefighter card" (thats a new one) and changing the subject when someone asks the tough questions. I guess if his point is to make cheezy personal attacks that might sound cool.
The reality is that the firefighters commissioned the study and are pointing out deficiencies within. How was that being defensive or hiding? Weakslapper, your attacks should be at the powers to be, not the workers. Would you appreciate it if someone attacked you for your employers lack of planning? Go to a council meeting, stand up and vote, make a change. But your senseless attacks are looking more and more like a person with a grudge and less and less like a concerned citizen.
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT THE TRACY FIREFIGHTERS, PLEASE TELL US ALL WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING?? YOU CAN COMPLAIN ALL YOU WANT BUT YOU ARE NOT THE ONES EARNING A LOT OF MONEY, WORKING A VERY REWARDING JOB AND CAN GET UP EACH MORNING PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO. THESE MEN MAKING THEIR NASTY COMMENTS I HAVE NO DOUBT ARE FAT, LAZY JEALOUS SLOBS WHO ARE MISERABLE IN THEIR TINY CUBICALS. IT IS HILARIOUS. I ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR COMMENTS DON'T AFFECT ANY FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE NICE HOUSES, BEAUTIFUL WIVES, NICE BODIES AND AWESOME JOBS THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED. BEING A FIRE FIGHTER IS EVERY LITTLE BOYS DREAM AND YOU ARE ALL JUST JEALOUS THAT YOUR DREAM DIDN'T WORK OUT. HAHA SO PATHETIC!!
This will never end. No one will answer any tough questions here. You will all continue to claim were bashing firefighters. You cant get over the fact that we're asking questions here not bashing you or your house or your cars or your fire station. We just want to know why we pay for a service and we're not getting it. Simple questions. Also I like how you ALL conveniently ignored the two questions regarding the other emergency personnel in this town.
I'll ask again, Why do we not hear about the ambulances and police cars not making it to calls on times? Do they not have the same problem as the fire engines? Or are they showing up late as well? If you're a firefighter or a firefighters wife why don't you go to your union officials to try and get something done around here? Why aren't you the ones at city council meeting saying there is a problem and demanding them to fix the problem. I know for a fact that IAFF has a lot of clout in this country. Every politician wants them standing next to him/her when they are running for office. Lets get IAFF's loud voice to work for us. If our city is in as bad of shape a you say it is then why do you stand by on the sidelines and watch it get worse. or are you content with making your 6 figures and are willing to let the city burn as long as you get your check every two weeks?
FFWife:
Not every little boy wants to be a firefighter. If you think the world is filled with firefighter and then everyone else who didn't get to become a firefighter you a seriously in need of help. Also "I ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR COMMENTS DON'T AFFECT ANY FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE NICE HOUSES, BEAUTIFUL WIVES, NICE BODIES AND AWESOME JOBS THAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED." is one of them most narcissistic things I've ever heard. Do you need a second to look us that last one. I'll give you a few.... Ok, ready? I'm gonna make a statement here. We like what firefighters do. We think they are great. We are very grateful for everything they have ever done and will ever do. they make great personal sacrifices that the rest of us don't have to or don't even know about. But they're regular Joe's and should be held accountable for their actions or lack there of. There will be a day when the cloud of 9/11 has moved on and your fame and glory returns to what it was previous to that horrible day. Maybe then a savoy City Councilmen/women will have the guts to stand up and say something is wrong here. We'll just have to wait an see. Until then I hope that someone (who lives on Gentry) doesn't die because the fire engine who is responsible for being stationed at 11th and Alden Glenn was at 9th and Central training at 4pm (when traffic is the worst in this town). Nuf said. I bid you adieu!
W, Bidding us adieu does not make your comments eloquent. You are pitiful to think the FF's are not trying their hardest to get to an emergency. I think FF WIFE went over bored but I can understand after what you have written. When you say "we" it doesn't include me. Speak for yourself. If we do not have enough fire houses it is NOT the FF's fault. The City has to approve for more to be built, that is why it isn't fair to bash them. They aren't late because they are exhausted or lazy. They don't make excuses. They have a report on themselves about their performance. I was at the council meeting when the Chief talked about it. You must have missed that one. You can act all involved but you are just talk. Talk is cheap and lazy. Do some footwork and follow the yellow brick road to get your answers Weakslapper.
Also Weakslapper, it is harder on the FF's spouse in this profession so lay of her. Have some compassion.
Weakslapper- Why don't you just come out and say what you do? You seem to know so much about operations??? You certainly are a fan of Police and AMR, are you a cop who wants to whip up a little cross department rivalry for the next "guns and hoses" football game. Nah I doubt it. Perhaps you work for the local ambulance and have "first hand" knowledge. Hummm. But that still wouldn't explain the attacks, most everyone gets along. Ahhh, maybe the ff wife hit a nerve. Perhaps, just perhaps she is closer to the facts than you give her, maybe its just that you are disgruntled when you look in the mirror but cant face that fact. You seem so pasonate, and have so many ideas, so in case you need the address to city hall I mapquested it for you. Oh ya, here is the Tracy Fire Admin Building too. I'm sure you will want to use your passion and concern to make things better. City hall/ [url=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/[1000-1049]+Civic+Center+Dr+Tracy+CA+95376/]http://www.mapquest.com/maps/[1000-1049]+Civic+Center+Dr+Tracy+CA+95376/
TFD/http://www.mapquest.com/maps/835+North+Central+Tracy+ca+95376/ And FF Wife, I don't know who you are, but you're a 10 in my books. Peace out!!!
TO WEAKSLAPPER:
WOW SO ANGRY...JUST WHAT I WANTED. YOUR ARGUMENTS ARE NULL AND VOID IN MY BOOK AND MAKE ME LAUGH. I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU, YOU MUST BE REALLY UNHAPPY IN YOUR LIFE TO BASH ON SOMEONE SO MUCH. BE A MAN, TELL US ALL WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING.....THATS WHAT I THOUGHT.
Weakslapper,
I understand your concern regarding why there hasn't been any discussion about the ambulance company or PD regarding response times. I called the County and they told me to check their website so I went to the County's website and found the ambulance response time report. Here's the link. http://www.sjgov.org/ems/PDF/C...eb2008.pdf It looks to me like the ambulances are making it on time. Regarding the Police Department, I've never seen any reports for them. I understand your frustration about the lack of accountability with fire department response times issue but I know the fire chief has only been here for a couple of years and I think he's trying to fix the problem. I know he asked for this report when he got here, over two years ago and its taken the fire department more than two years to finish it. I'm not sure why it took so long but that might be worth a call to the fire department to find out.
weakslapper,
To find out if police or ambulance response is up to par you're going to have to contact the TPD and AMR (American Medical Responce) directly. There is no way for us to answer your questions. I know police departments strive for a minimum response time but there is no way to determine ahead of time unforeseen traffic, priority calls (ie: battery vs. stolen bicycle), number of officers available, etc. By-the-way, lay off FF WIFE. Keep your focus on your trying to get your answers. FF WIFE has a hard enough time keeping their household intact while her husband is away at work. Sleeping is interrupted for a wife of a public safety employee. When I was working midnights my wife found it hard to sleep and woke whenever she heard a siren...although I didn't work in this city. So lay off family and stick to bashing the firefighters on this blog because you're safer here than doing it to their faces. "written by Weakslapper , May 20, 2008 FFWife: Not every little boy wants to be a firefighter. If you think the world is filled with firefighter and then everyone else who didn't get to become a firefighter you a seriously in need of help." Are you one of the "everyone else who didn't get to become a firefighter"? If that's the case, "you a seriously in need of help". BTW....your grammar is terrible.
Weakslapper-
The reason why the FD units have a delayed response is because we are too busy watching Oprah on the big screen and relaxing with a nice hot cup 'o coffee in our cozy and comfy recliners. The other reason is bceause we are sitting down at Fire Admin while the rest of the district are uncovered. When an emergency call comes in to the Fire Department, our motto is "We'll get there when we get there." There-are you happy the cat is out of the bag, you have uncovered the truth. Whatever shall we do now? How can the citizens of Tracy repay you for uncovering the big charade that the Fire Department has tried to get away with. You should be accomandated for this hard work. I don't know about the rest of the general public- but you have my boet for Tracy's Citizen of the year! 3 cheers for you! This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 May 2008 ) |
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