Hot and Cold on Firefighters

The foothills fire caused me to feel tremendous pride in Orange County’s firefighters but to feel so terribly unhappy about the shameful conduct of the Orange County Fire Authority and the Board of Supervisors.

These firefighters rallied without question to fight that enormous blaze that destroyed over 5,000 acres. They risked their lives. They faced walls of fire hot enough and close enough to them to damage equipment. They worked shifts of 12 to 15 hours. They gave up their days off.

And what appreciation do they get from the county officials? None. The pay raise is 30% below that of Los Angeles firefighters, although Orange [County] is much more affluent than Los Angeles [County].

The reason for such abominable refusal to act is that firefighters, like police officers, are not allowed to strike. Nor would they, because they are dedicated to help the public.

RICHARD HULL

Laguna Niguel

If I read one more whining letter from a “union” fireman or his family I think I will be sick. The fact is if they are unhappy with working about 24 hours per week for $60,000 to $125,000 per year, plus benefits, they should get into a different field of endeavor.

Firemen, unlike police, are “on call” for their shifts, not under the gun of an obvious danger of a fire. Fire unions, with their power to politicize and gain sympathy from their relatively limited time of danger, tend to push buttons of fear of fire and danger.

We have seen the city of Westminster divided over the firefighters’ union and its condoning faked sickness by firefighters, causing overtime pay for firemen to stay another shift with the favor returned at a later time.

In Anaheim, we receive literature with a fireman holding a little child and an appeal to sign up for paramedic service that is added into our utility bills. Other cities and the county are experiencing the same union pressures for greater pay, fewer hours and better working conditions.

Is the work dangerous? Yes, when fighting a major fire. However, a far more dangerous job is a gas station attendant or a clerk at a 24-hour store who is lucky to make $20,000 a year with minimum benefits and is actually in danger every hour he or she is on duty.

If firefighting were a career that required high salaries to draw candidates it would be different. With only a handful quitting every year and thousands lining up for every new opening, I say we taxpayers are not getting our money worth now.

TOM STEELE

Anaheim