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South Fulton Woman Loses Home to Fire Because She Didn’t Pay Fire Tax. Dave Statter Stays Quiet This Time.

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Yeah…it is like kicking a dead deer. Another house burns in Obion County, Tennessee and firefighters don’t put it out.

Only this time, Dave Statter only reports the news and fails to add in his two cents vilifying the South Fulton Fire Department.

A woman’s house burned in South Fulton while firefighters watched from a distance. The firefighters did not put out the fire because the woman had not paid the $75 fire tax. South Fulton has a well disciplined and well known rule NOT to suppress fires on non paying residents of Obion County.

The firefighters were dispatched, but apparently didn’t realize the homeowner hadn’t paid until they arrived.

Last year, when a similar story went viral, Dave Statter said that the firefighters should have put out the fire.

This time Dave has apparently changed his tune and not offered us a reporters view of what he thinks the South Fulton FD should do. I take this as Dave having learned his lesson after being schooled by me and so many others.

Nothing is broke here folks. South Fulton offers fire coverage in part of Obion County. Other departments cover the rest of the County. South Fulton does it for a yearly fee/tax of $75. If you pay it you get coverage. If you don’t pay it you don’t get coverage. It is that plain and simple.

The solution is simple. Obion County residents should either pay the fire tax or create their own fire department.

Hell, even the woman who’s house had burned stated that she never thought it would happen to her.

Unfortunately, the fact that the woman didn’t pay will in fact burn the firefighters again this time.

I think they should stick to their policy.

While I don’t wish this on anyone, the people who don’t pay the tax know what the outcome will be if their house catches fire. That is their choice.

What do you think?

I can’t wait for the spin Dave puts on this…

Links:

 

Posted by on December 6, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Dispatch, EMS Topics, Fire Dispatch, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Funding & Staffing, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Union City Fire Chief Weighs in on the “Pay to Play” Fire Protection District Subscription Issue

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On Thursday, John Mitchell and I (FirefighterNetcast.com)had the opportunity to speak candidly with Chief Kelly Edmison of the Union City Fire Department in Obion County, Tennessee.

Click the play button right here
to listen to the podcast while you read along.

You can also listen to the first netcast on this topic where Dave Statter joined us to discuss the topic here

Chief Edmison was able to offer his view of the “Firefighters Watch as House Burns” story that enveloped the Fire Service and headline news just weeks ago.

In listening to Chief Edmison talk last night, he gave credence to many of my thoughts. He also explained what the future holds for all of the Municipal fire departments in Obion County.

He further went on to explain that:

  • The homeowners had been told 3 times that they hadn’t paid the fee.
  • One week prior, the Chief of South Fulton had been reprimanded for putting out a fire at a non-subscribers house.
  • When the Cranicks house burned, the Chief of South Fulton contacted his City Manager to see if they could put it out and he was told NO.
  • The fire at the Cranicks house got out of hand 2 hours before the garage caught fire.
  • This same issue happened in 2008, Chief Edmison thought that the only difference between that occurrence and this one was that the Fire Chief in South Fulton was attacked after the fire.
  • Plus much more! Listen here if you haven’t already!

Chief Edmison was also afforded the opportunity to give his accounts on STATter911.com in the days following the incident. Dave Statter was very quick to jump on my back for my opinions of what I thought about the incident. Thanks for the traffic Dave!

I found humor in the fact that other than Dave calling the Firefighters morally and ethically wrong we actually had very similar viewpoints about the incident. I guess Dave just hadn’t pissed off his quota of firefighters that week.

My posts on the topic here

Dave Statter’s posts on the topic here

Posted by on October 23, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, NetCast, News, Podcast • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Firefighter Netcast Live Thursday Night with Chief Kelly Edmison of the Union City Fire Department to Discuss the Newest Developments in the Obion County/South Fulton Dilemma

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Chief Kelly Edmison of the Union City Fire Department in Tennessee. will be joining John Mitchell, Art Goodrich, and myself  Thursday night live at 9pm on Firefighter Netcast.

Chief Edmison has been following the story and has been trying to educate others on what exactly is going on down in Obion County.

If you haven’t seen the latest news on Obion County, check it out on Statter911 here.

The direct show link is here at 9pm EST. This weeks show will be 1 hour long.

Chief Kelly Edmison has been in contact with Dave Statter discussing the latest developments in Obion County that effect all of the Municipal FD’s in the County.

Thursday night at 9pm, Chief Edmison will be joining John and I on Firefighter Netcast.

We will be discussing the dilemma. We will also be joined by Cheif Reason Art Goodrich of ChiefReasonArt.com and fellow podcaster on Firefighter Netcast who hosts his own show The Voice of Reason.

Here is the promo for the netcast.

Unfortunately, Dave Statter will probably not be able to join us.

Posted by on October 20, 2010 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Prevention & Education, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, Must Read, NetCast, News, Podcast • Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

The Fire Critic Reinvigorated with great content, videos, and topics for firefighters

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Over the past several years, I have created several web sites. The Fire Critic has remained one of my favorites.

The past several weeks has brought clarity to its purpose. In an effort to move the site forward, I have decided to update more often with videos, articles, and whatever else is new or interesting in the fire service.

What this means to you is that you will have to check back more often to see what is new and/or scroll down further to see what you have missed!

I have also been working to maximize the potential of the twitter account (@firecritic) and facebook page of the site. As always, you can friend request me as well here.

FireCritic – Twitter @firecritic – Facebook

Interestingly enough, today’s Monday Morning Shoutout here at The Fire Critic goes to ChicagoFD.org. I checked the site out when I found some great videos on youtube from them. The interesting thing about it is that Mike Ward over at Fire Geezer wrote a detailed article on Chicago: Remembering those lost in Chicago: 21 dead at Union Stock Yards in 1910 and 9 dead at Hubbard Street in 1961. Check it out, it is a good read!

This past weekend, I have been stuck at my house trying to pass a kidney stone which my friend Captain Wines so eloquently wrote about here on Ironfiremen.com. Prior to that was the epic anti-climactic “Rhett said” vs. “Dave said” between Dave Statter and I over the events in Obion County Tennessee (Fire Critic links here, here, and here & Statter links here, here, here and here).

Of course, if you weren’t able to catch the live netcast of the discussion on Obion County, be sure to check it out below!

Listen to the netcast right here!

Videos -Videos – Videos

I also posted several decent videos, as did Dave Statter on numerous fires this past weekend. Here is a link to an article with most of them here.

“VACANT” vs. “UNOCCUPIED”

Firefighter Behavior has a decent look at whether or not Vacant Structures are actually Vacant unless we say they are. I have been trying to explain this for a long time. There is a difference between “VACANT” & “UNOCCUPIED”.

In my opinion, vacant simply means no one resides there on a regular basis (i.e. homeowner or renter). Vacant structures can still have people in them. Whether it is squatters or kids playing around, vacant structures can be “OCCUPIED”. The only way to rule out a structure being occupied is by doing a thorough search. Read the story of a child who died in a VACANT, but OCCUPIED structure and why Backstep Firefighter is asking the question When Did It Become Okay To Say ‘No’? They also followed up recently with this post: Why We Search: Baltimore

Have you ever left a coffee mug on the tailboard?

One more thing… FireGeezer has finally come up with a coffee mug that might withstand you leaving it on the tailboard and forgetting about it when you get a call. The new travel mug is available, you can check it out here!

Posted by on October 11, 2010 • Filed under: Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Statter on The Fire Critic “You are Right, You are Wrong”. Make up your mind! Plus Firefighter Netcast and Audio from South Fulton

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Last night, John and I welcomed Dave Statter, Justin Schorr, Chris Kaiser, Art Goodrich, Mike Ward, Willie Wines Jr., Joseph Schmoe, and GTRider245 live on Firefighter Netcast to discuss the Obion County and South Fulton Fiasco.

Listen to the netcast right here!

Dave Statter once again latches onto one comment of mine from last night. I made reference to the fact that the media sensationalized this story. I am right. I understand why the media does this. I may not agree with it, but it is what it is. Dave twists that as me blaming the news. That is incorrect. I still blame the elected officials and local government of Obion County. I was simply making a point.

That being said, I love Dave for it! You might ask why. Well the answer is simple.People read, learn, agree, disagree, and make changes.

I would also like to thank everyone for the comments on this blog and other blogs I read. The comments have been very insightful and show the thought processes of firefighters, how those thoughts vary, and where we are on this topic. Even the negative comments are good. They are good for debate. I love the fact that everyone can offer their opinion. I think this situation shows the benefit of blogs and other forms of social media!

Dave mentions that I am right about everything…but then says I am wrong. Make up your mind Dave. You know I am right, everyone knows I am right. I am not putting the spin on it that everyone else is. Hell Dave, I keep reading this post of yours (here) and I am beginning to think you might have multiple personalities. You keep saying I am right, then saying I am wrong. You say you agree with me, then saying you disagree with me. Make up your mind Dave. You love pointing I am wrong by saying I am right! It is hard to follow.

Anyone taking bets on who will get the last word; Dave or Me?

I would like to summarize my thoughts.

I merely stated the facts…the outcome was predictable. Homeowners who live in Obion County that fall under the Fire Protection District covered by the Municipal Fire Department of South Fulton get coverage if they pay the $75 fee. Plain and simple. If they don’t pay, they don’t get the coverage. There is no spin there. I find it hard to believe that anyone cannot understand that.

That being said…I will reiterate my point. The system is antiquated, unsafe, unfair, and not a good idea.

Obion County needs to immediately develop a timeline for creation of their own Fire Department.

I still stand by the my comments that you CANNOT fault the Firefighters or Fire Department for their actions. South Fulton operates in Obion County as a Fire Protection District. They do so by way of policies set forth by their government. Obion County has clearly accepted the format of delivery by South Fulton as well as that of the other 7 municipal departments which operate their own Fire Protection Districts in Obion County.

This is NOT the way the Municipal FD’s operate within their jurisdictions…just the way they operate in their Fire Protection Districts outside of their Municipalities.

After listening to the netcast from last night again…Dave really doesn’t disagree with anything I say except for one word I used. However, even then he says I am technically right but that it isn’t the way things should be done. Thanks Dave, exactly what I have been saying. “Everything operated the way it Should” – my words. Everything did operate the way it should under the current system. Nothing happened the way it should this day in age. The antiquated system that is being used in Obion County should be completely overhauled.

Put me in coach!!! I will be happy to head down to Obion County to help them come up with a solution. Hell, better yet there are plenty of consultants out there which would be happy to be bank rolled to come up with a positive solution.

Here is the audio from the incident

Here are related links:

Posted by on October 7, 2010 • Filed under: News, Videos • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Discuss the South Fulton Dilemma live tonight on Firefighter Netcast 9pm EST

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Tonight on Firefighter Netcast, John and I will be discussing the dilemma in South Fulton, Tennessee.

The direct link to the show is here on Blog Talk Radio

Or you can call 347-327-9920 to listen in live. Press 1 when you call in to talk with us live as well.

Be sure to register on Blog Talk Radio (free) so you can join in the live chatroom discussion as well!

  • Who is at fault?
  • What needs to be changed?
  • Ethics vs. Policies
  • Right vs. Wrong

I posted on this topic here and here.

Here are some other links for the dilemma in South Fulton.

Join us live at 9pm EST. Call in and offer your point of view.

Here are some more links:

Posted by on October 6, 2010 • Filed under: NetCast, News, Podcast • Tagged: , , , ,

South Fulton Fiasco, Dave Statter’s Intellect, and Teddy Bears

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This is in response to Dave Statters critique (here) of my previous post on the situation in South Fulton (here).

You know what people say when they don’t have anything else to gig me on? I’m short. That’s it, plain and simple.

What is truly amazing is that the ones who usually do it stand just a couple inches taller than me. You would think that they were towering men at 7′ tall. Nope. I think it is hilarious. I stand 5’7″. It has never bothered me.

Dave Statter is one of those guys. I think he got picked on as a kid.

Either way, he has called me out. He not only disagrees with my stance on the South Fulton fiasco, he actually said I was just plain wrong.

I just don’t think Dave understands a firefighters perspective.

Dave lambastes the Oak Brook’s Connie Xinos for wanting to fire firefighters (of which I agree with Dave on this). Yet local representatives (City,County,town Council members and mayors) get by unscathed by Dave in South Fulton and Obion County Tennessee.

Then in a move reminiscent of FirefighterHourly.com, he jumps on the bandwagon of the IAFF (of which I am a member). The IAFF’s stance is understandable and blames the FD for inaction while pointing to the issue of the pay for service policy. Read it here.

On to Dave’s critique of my stance he wrote:

Now back to our story. No, Rhett. Everything did not operate as it should. Firefighters put out fires and help people. They should not be put in the position where they can’t do that. And maybe it’s not the South Fulton Government that is necessarily the problem. Maybe Obion County should provide for its people by subsidizing the volunteer fire departments.

Blah, blah, blah…Actually Dave, everything did operate just as it was supposed to according to South Fulton City, The South Fulton FD, and Obion County.

  • The County allows South Fulton to provide Fire protection through a Fire Protection District.
  • South Fulton has a 5 mile radius Fire Protection District in Obion County.
  • South Fulton offers Fire Protection to Obion County residents for an annual $75 fee.
  • South Fulton does not allow payment on scene when residents of Obion County have a fire.
  • Obion County residents understand this fee and pay it if they want fire protection.

Just like you said: They should not be put in the position where they can’t do that. These rules are created by people further up the chain than the firefighters.

If Obion County residents and Obion County legislators want their own fire protection they would have to create their own department(s). This is just as I said and then you said after me.

Fire Departments operate under local governments. They have policies to follow and regulations to abide by. Not all of them make sense. Not all of them are right. The beancounters (local officials) are the ones to blame plain and simple.

If you cannot trust your department heads to follow the rules they will be replaced. If there were such a problem with this, why in the hell has it been going on for 20 years?

Dave, you have no argument with me. You just wanted all of your readers (both of them) to look at my site, check out the sites, and hopefully boost your own stats.

I just don’t see how you can fault the Fire Department. The headline should have read “City Council makes Firefighters stand by and watch house burn down”. Get it…it isn’t as catchy as “firefighters stand by and watch house burn”…media at its best.

The truth is that Dave is a good friend. He is always asking if he can stop by my station to smell the smoke in my turnout gear. I just love how he clings to his couple of months as a volunteer firefighter in the 70′s like a small child clings to their teddy bear.

Posted by on October 5, 2010 • Filed under: News • Tagged: , , , , , , ,