GilfordGrok

C'mon Doug, you should know by now, you can't get your way on every single issue...you sure do try. Admit it, you take everything that's written (only a small piece of the real story) to be 100% true when it supports your position. Then you put your own slant on it...without ever learning the whole story, the truth. If you have a problem with using federal FireAct Grant money to pay for fire fighter health and safety then that's fine...leave it at that. But you didn't. You seem like a curious enough guy, but not once with the new fire engine request, call company funding, training requirements, fire inspection work load, not with firefighter health and safety, have you approached a subject with an open mind, and only make a decision with all the facts infront of you.

So, when our 10 year old industrial washer (that actually damages turnout gear) break down and need replacing, you'll come up with some reason for the Town not to fund them. Then when we need to replace our safety equipment more frequently from improper maintenance, you'll ask why. Hmm... I'll take a page from you and slant the story...so when it's our personal safety equipment that needs to be maintained you are against maintaining it...interesting.

And as far as keeping healthy in the fire service, one of the biggest causes of line of duty deaths are health related. Staying physically fit and healthy is part of the job. You'd be one of the first to critize the department if we had a preventable health related death or injury. So in reality, you're all for workman's comp claims, life insurance payouts, widows and expensive funerals? Seriously.

I don't think this classifies as homeland security. If we need it, then I'm sure the town would fund it. It doesn't belong a federal expense. As for the weights, trainer, etc., Seriously... the liability it up there, and I believe that individuals should accept personal responsibilty for meeting job requirements. Health club memberships? Seriously, it might be a worthwhile expense if it saves health insurance $$, which sometimes is the case. I believe in "truth in advertising." This is not homeland security. The last full sentence of the above comment warrents no response.

Fair enough. See there are other ways to express your views! Your reply clearly and acurately states your opinion on the issue, without giving the impression you do not support the efforts of the fire department. Thank you!

Doug you are right, this has nothing to do with homeland security. This program use to run out of FEMA I dont know the reason but it was moved to DEPT of Homeland security. You can get the facts yourself. http://www.firegrantsupport.com/ Even in the private sector companies are provding work-out areas for health and hiring personal Trainers. Heart attacks are the number one leading cause of death to firefighters. Is it so bad that we care about our health and families when we are put under stress? Doug I challange you and am making a request. I am making this on my own and does not reflect anyone else. Please request to be on the Fire Department sub committe this year. I want you to get the REAL facts about what we do, how we do it and why the Chief requests the money he does in his budget.As far as the washer, thats a no brainer. If you want us spending thousands on turnout gear because we cant maintain it then I guess we do not need a washer.I do agree with you about homeland security, but thats where the grant is and if it can save the town thousands of dollars it would not make sense not to apply to it.

Sorry, It is NOT the taxpays responsability to make sure that firefighters are fit enough to do their job. We don't hire life guards and then pay to teach them how to swimming classes do we? If the job requirement made them unfit then you'd have a point but it doesn't. I have concerns for the health and safety of ALL CITIZENS which includes fire fighters. My dad is a retired fire fighter and I grew up with fire fighters my entire life. Back in those days fire fighters were happy to serve at the pleasure of the public. Today, the PFFA gives the impression that the public serves at the pleasure of the fire fighters. Even my dad is discusted with it and he is a member. Long before a Meredith selectman made it public, my dad recognized the tactics used by Laconia of "dumping the barn" on every call to pump up call data. Thankfully the Gilford Fire Department doesn't engage in such practices and I applaud Scott Mooney, as President of the Gilford fire fighters, for speaking out agianst SB 88. These kinds of tactics do nothing but make an already skeptical public worse. Suggesting that the public is some how responsable for fire fighter fitness is just piling on. Fire fighters should come to the job physically fit. If fire fighters came to the job unfit then why is the public responsable to get them fit? This would apply to any job wouldn't it?
It is true that some companies provide a exercise room to be used on PERSONAL time. Most companies however have health insurance plans that provide incentives for getting healthy. Those health insurance polocies will refund up to $150 for money paid for a health club. I know for a fact that Laconia health club has trainers that provide a free service to assist in the work out regiment. Some health insurance programs also pay the cost of quitting smoking or chewing tobacco. I would look closely at the health insurance that fire fighters currently enjoy and see if this benefit exists. I fully support fire fighters just as equally as all other valued Gilford employees. Health and safety issues are important to all.

I really couldn't resist...Each year the Parks & Rec Dept. have used our training room for their lifeguard training; just FYI.

That's excellent news that there is a training room already available for town employees. In fact, I think there is one at the high school as well. I guess we can scratch that request and look for something more in line with "Home land security"
Terry S

I believe Cheif Markland is talking about classroom also known as a training room. come on!