Firefighter Donation question

[BadGirl]

In a conversation yesterday with a friend, he mentioned that he would not donate to the local firefighter cause. When pressed, he said that he used to donate in the past. But when he discoverd that the firefighters went to Ocean City for their yearly convention and did a lot partying - largely from the money collected during their fundraising efforts - he stopped donating. His take is that he didn't want to help finance their wild week in OC.

My argument is that I'd gladly pay to help the guys (and girls!) who help protect us - free of charge, on a volunteer basis - with a week in OC to have some fun. To me, if they go to OC and learn something from their conferences that they can bring back to help protect the local community, that's great. But even if they did nothing over there than drink and party, I'm ok with that, too. They spend a HUGE amount of time, away from their families, their friends, and their regular jobs, to help protect all of us from danger. Since they have that kind of committment, I feel that they deserve a chance to get their ya-ya's out once a year. Even if it means that it's on my dime, after all - it's only a week a year. Considering the danger that they put themselves in, and all the time they put in to help us, this is nothing compared to what they sacrifice.

What do you think about it?

 

[FromTexas]

In a conversation yesterday with a friend, he mentioned that he would not donate to the local firefighter cause. When pressed, he said that he used to donate in the past. But when he discoverd that the firefighters went to Ocean City for their yearly convention and did a lot partying - largely from the money collected during their fundraising efforts - he stopped donating. His take is that he didn't want to help finance their wild week in OC.

My argument is that I'd gladly pay to help the guys (and girls!) who help protect us - free of charge, on a volunteer basis - with a week in OC to have some fun. To me, if they go to OC and learn something from their conferences that they can bring back to help protect the local community, that's great. But even if they did nothing over there than drink and party, I'm ok with that, too. They spend a HUGE amount of time, away from their families, their friends, and their regular jobs, to help protect all of us from danger. Since they have that kind of committment, I feel that they deserve a chance to get their ya-ya's out once a year. Even if it means that it's on my dime, after all - it's only a week a year. Considering the danger that they put themselves in, and all the time they put in to help us, this is nothing compared to what they sacrifice.

What do you think about it?

I will gladly donate JMO. She is good for a week or more of fireman partying.

 

[kwillia]

What do you think about it?

You raise a great point, BG...(and I'm not just talking about FT's ) I agree with you that they deserve a week of firemen fun...

 

[K_Jo]

You raise a great point, BG...(and I'm not just talking about FT's ) I agree with you that they deserve a week of firemen fun...

I think I deserve a week of firemen fun!!

 

[Vince]

When I was younger, I was a volunteer firefighter mainly because that was the only Fire Dept. we had. Alot of work for no pay. All the money we collected went into equipment and training. If they are using it to go to a conference and have some fun besides. Go for it because when there's a fire or accident they are right there.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I too was a volunteer many many yrs ago & we had to go door to door to collect $$... Now, whether or not you know it, you pay a "fire" tax. The fire depts in so MD are some of the wealthiest in the country. They have chiefs cars, SUV's MPV's, HUGE fire houses & the latest equip. I want them to have all this but I do not contribute bc I pay the tax. I think the OC party is mostly out of their pockets but don't quote me on that.

 

[CMC122]

I totally agree with you BG! And not just because I was a volunteer for 12 years

Not all stations pay for their members to go to OC, first off. My station didn't! If you went it was out of your pocket, not the stations.

2nd is there alot of partying? YES! Is there alot to learn? YES!! These people go thru intense, hard, physical and time consuming training! Then put it too use to help others. None of it is easy.

The OC convention has alot to offer besides partying. Your friend was just looking for an excuse to not donate.

 

[BadGirl]

Thanks for the input everyone. I didn't realize that the trip to OC was funded out of individual pockets, and not funded by the firefighter departments. I learnt something today!

I am hopeful that I NEVER have to use their services to put out a fire at my house.

 

[Ehesef]

I think the OC party is mostly out of their pockets but don't quote me on that.

The FF themselves pay their hotel, food and beer charges. The dept. doesn't make them go. The company itself may pay entrance fees, if there even are any, into the contests and parades, etc. The company might also pay for gas for members taking equipment to OC. But all personal expenses are paid for by the FF.

 

[Ken King]

I too was a volunteer many many yrs ago & we had to go door to door to collect $$... Now, whether or not you know it, you pay a "fire" tax. The fire depts in so MD are some of the wealthiest in the country. They have chiefs cars, SUV's MPV's, HUGE fire houses & the latest equip. I want them to have all this but I do not contribute bc I pay the tax. I think the OC party is mostly out of their pockets but don't quote me on that.

Imagine what that fire tax would be if they were paid employees. I donate regularly and don't care whether or not the companies pay for the OC trip or not. Without volunteers we would be up a creek without a paddle or be paying through the nose in taxes.

 

[Voter2002]

As a current volunteer firefighter, I thank all of you for your support!


The fund raising money does not go towards "partying" as everyone thinks. Yes - some of the money is used to pay for the hotel rooms of the firefighters that go to the state convention. Beer money comes out of our own pockets. There are other members who are required to attend as official representitives of the department. Some of the fundraising money also goes towards the annual installation of officers and the banquet. Some of the money goes towards firefighting equipment that could not be afforded in the budget.

Mikeinsmd: I don't know where you get your info from, but the fire departments here ARE NOT anywhere close to being wealthy or have huge firehouses. Hell - look at some of the companies here in St. Mary's County - several firehouses are very old and the departments are having a tough time fitting into them anymore. The firehouse in the Park - they've been in that building for 60 years now....60 years! If they were rolling in money as you suggest, don't you think they would have a palace by now??

Ken King - you are correct in that the tax burden would be huge if the county had to go to a paid department. But - if everyone keeps the current trend going (support for the departments erode year after year) - someday there won't be a choice and then we'll really hear the howls of protest about such a huge tax increase. They'll wish then they had supported the departments more than what they did! And not just in money, but volunteering their time and talent!

(...ahem...time to step down from the soapbox...)

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Mikeinsmd: I don't know where you get your info from, but the fire departments here ARE NOT anywhere close to being wealthy or have huge firehouses. Hell - look at some of the companies here in St. Mary's County - several firehouses are very old and the departments are having a tough time fitting into them anymore. The firehouse in the Park - they've been in that building for 60 years now....60 years! If they were rolling in money as you suggest, don't you think they would have a palace by now??

I totally disagree, they are wealthy. Compared to other departments (paid & unpaid) our stations have some awesome equipment & houses and for this I am very grateful. Some of our houses are 3 times the size of the paid houses. The fact that Bay District has been in one house all these yrs. is irrelevant. I've seen (and participated) in the building of some awesome firehouses in the county (7th district, Hollywood, Mechanicsville).

As I said, I remember the days we used to knock on doors asking for donations (before the tax). They could be a lot worse off although I am glad they are not. If there were no tax, I would very generously donate (as I did before the tax). Ken is also correct that if we had paid depts., we'd be paying much more tax.

Please don't misinterpret what I am saying, I love the depts. and admire the dedication of all of the men and women. These people put in countless hours of their time serving the community & participating in fundraisers. Again, I was a volunteer (well over 20 yrs ago) and have seen the advancements these departments have made for all of our benifit!

 

[fddog]

As a current volunteer firefighter, I thank all of you for your support!


The fund raising money does not go towards "partying" as everyone thinks. Yes - some of the money is used to pay for the hotel rooms of the firefighters that go to the state convention. Beer money comes out of our own pockets. There are other members who are required to attend as official representitives of the department. Some of the fundraising money also goes towards the annual installation of officers and the banquet. Some of the money goes towards firefighting equipment that could not be afforded in the budget.

Mikeinsmd: I don't know where you get your info from, but the fire departments here ARE NOT anywhere close to being wealthy or have huge firehouses. Hell - look at some of the companies here in St. Mary's County - several firehouses are very old and the departments are having a tough time fitting into them anymore. The firehouse in the Park - they've been in that building for 60 years now....60 years! If they were rolling in money as you suggest, don't you think they would have a palace by now??

Ken King - you are correct in that the tax burden would be huge if the county had to go to a paid department. But - if everyone keeps the current trend going (support for the departments erode year after year) - someday there won't be a choice and then we'll really hear the howls of protest about such a huge tax increase. They'll wish then they had supported the departments more than what they did! And not just in money, but volunteering their time and talent!

(...ahem...time to step down from the soapbox...)

I've been a volunteer for almost 15 years, Our ocean city trips are paid by us. We hold a carwash 5-6 times in bad weather just so we can pay for our room. The food and the beer comes out of our pockets.The firehouse does pay for the reps room only. And our firehouse has a dinner the last night of oc, They don't pay for liquor only tea or sodas.

 

[Stang Girl]

Just to let every one know about Ocean City. C and I go every year and they have to pay for them self’s. If you are going up for meetings then the fire department will pay half of the trip but it is only for the rooms nothing else. The money they get for donations they use for new gear and things that they really need.