[slipcovers]

Originally Posted by DigitalGranny

My kids are firefighters and they do stay together as a crew with their truck for the reasons mentioned. Sometimes, they have to abandon the groceries they are purchasing for their own dinner and respond to a call. Most of our local grocers will push their cart into the walk in cooler until they can return for it. Thanks to every firefighter and paramedic who shows up quickly whenever we call to help us!

Buying groceries while on duty???? WOW

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by slipcovers

I am a snowbird but I would like to give my experience. About a month ago, I heard a loud bang and immediately looked around my house. Went to the front door and smelled smoke, ran out and up the driveway. At that point I could see that a SUV had hit a tree, head on, in front of my neighbors house. I ran down and the neighbors son, home on collage brake, was trying to get the driver out of the SUV which was on fire. I was trying to help but is was not easy with all the smoke ,seat belt on and air bag deployed. The vehicle was full of smoke but we managed to get her out with help of a few others that stopped. All this happened less than 300 yds from a fire station, manned with 2 huge trucks and 2 men. So, where were they??? A week later I read in the paper, the log report. They were out on a call because someone was locked out of their house. Does this make sense? A fire truck to change batteries? Also, what is the financial cost when the schools are a disgrace.

Which school is in disgrace?

[annaconner]

The first time we had our batteries changed by two firemen in a beautiful fire appliance. In March one officer came in a car, this was such a busy time for alarm battery changes and he had been allocated for that day.

[tbussche]

As a person that has over 35 years of ems and firefighting before moving to TV this past July, we take the dispatches as they come in. We didn't refuse a call for service because we might get a more serious call. The next closest station was dispatched to cover the call. When you are at the scene of an emergency, it always seems like it takes a very long time for help to arrive.

[Fraugoofy]

Does the Villages Fire Department also change the smoke alarms if I provide them?

[festusrules]

Originally Posted by festusrules

I had heard that they would replace batteries in Smoke Detectors. Having high ceilings and a too short ladder, I took advantage of their service last fall.

Was told they would replace them if I was home and had the new batteries available. They arrived in a full size fire truck, with 3 firemen. They looked at the locations of the detectors and asked if I had a ladder. I told them that my ladder was too short for me to safely reach the detectors (that is why I asked them to do it). They advised me that their ladder might cause damage to my walls (apparently my guess that they would come out with an 8' step ladder was incorrect). I noticed that one of the firemen was 6" taller than me and would be able to do the replacement with my ladder. And he did.

I am telling this story not as a complaint about the firemen. They were pleasant and helpful. My surprise was/is that the Fire Dept sent a large vehicle and 3 guys to a job which could have been done by 1 guy and an 8' step ladder. With all the assets and investments made in TV, I still find it hard to believe that they lack the simple tools to efficiently provide a very useful service.

Edited 9/18/2015

If TV wants to provide services such as changing batteries and lightbulbs in high ceilings do not use firemen and their trucks/ladders to do it. Staff 2 or 3 people with cheap vehicles and 8 ft ladders to handle these tasks. If necessary, charge users a fee Of $10 (approx). I would gladly pay for such a service.


Got to be lots of others who have had this experience.

bump

[LittleDog]

I didn't read all the posts on this thread and hope this wasn't mentioned previously. I have been in my house for over 10 years and people have said you should replace smoke and co2 detectors after 10 years. I have 3 that I cannot reach. Would the firemen replace the detectors or just change batteries?

John

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by LittleDog

I didn't read all the posts on this thread and hope this wasn't mentioned previously. I have been in my house for over 10 years and people have said you should replace smoke and co2 detectors after 10 years. I have 3 that I cannot reach. Would the firemen replace the detectors or just change batteries?

John

A neighbor requested the fire department to replace batteries she could not reach. They determined the detectors were past due for replacement. They told her they would wait while she ran to the hardware store and bought replacements. They did not guarantee they would be there when she returned as they were subject to being dispatched in an emergency.

That unit was on call whether sitting at the fire station, having lunch, buying groceries or parked in front of her house.

It is my understanding these crews are on for extended time. During this time they cook their own meals so that would require buying groceries.

Fire departments are not only there to put fires out. They are there to minimize and prevent fires. Replacing batteries/detectors are a very positive part of that process.

Post number 4 is worth reading.

I too tip my hat to our fire department.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by festusrules

Edited 9/18/2015 If TV wants to provide services such as changing batteries and lightbulbs in high ceilings do not use firemen and their trucks/ladders to do it. Staff 2 or 3 people with cheap vehicles and 8 ft ladders to handle these tasks. If necessary, charge users a fee Of $10.

It isn't The Villages that provides this service -- it is the Fire Department.
Fire Departments in many cities and municipalities provide this service when they're not busy. They do it here in Canada.
Changing batteries in smoke detectors for the elderly helps in early detection of fires, thus it's a fire prevention program.
Believe me, if there was an emergency while the Firefighters were at your house changing your battery, they would immediately leave to handle the situation.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by downeaster

That unit was on call whether sitting at the fire station, having lunch, buying groceries or parked in front of her house. It is my understanding these crews are on for extended time. During this time they cook their own meals so that would require buying groceries.

Fireboy used to works shifts of 24 to 48 hours. They eat and sleep at the Fire Hall and must be prepared to wake from a sound sleep and leap into action.

I've had an emergency in the middle of the night with my dad. Let me tell you, there is nothing more comforting than hearing the sound of those Firefighters' boots pounding up the stairs.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Fireboy used to works shifts of 24 to 48 hours. They eat and sleep at the Fire Hall and must be prepared to wake from a sound sleep and leap into action.

I've had an emergency in the middle of the night with my dad. Let me tell you, there is nothing more comforting than hearing the sound of those Firefighters' boots pounding up the stairs.

Yup. We are all pretty lucky to have a gaggle of Fireboys around.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by slipcovers

Buying groceries while on duty???? WOW

This is the way fire departments all over the country work. It's obviously been decided that this is the best way to respond to emergencies in the quickest manner. Some cities have a mandatory number of responders that must go out on each call. Sending one man to the grocery store for food (that they need so they can be on call while eating) can render the department under the minimum, making it unable to answer a call.

One google search will bring up the facts you want to know about fire departments.

[festusrules]

Originally Posted by CFrance

This is the way fire departments all over the country work. It's obviously been decided that this is the best way to respond to emergencies in the quickest manner. Some cities have a mandatory number of responders that must go out on each call. Sending one man to the grocery store for food (that they need so they can be on call while eating) can render the department under the minimum, making it unable to answer a call.

One google search will bring up the facts you want to know about fire departments.

I did several searches, with none providing answers. Can you provide a search to get the FACTS ?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by festusrules

I did several searches, with none providing answers. Can you provide a search to get the FACTS ?

We've just given you the facts, based on personal experience.
Why on earth would we lie?
If you chose not to believe us, then so be it. Take care!

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by festusrules

I did several searches, with none providing answers. Can you provide a search to get the FACTS ?

The people that provided responses spoke the truth. I've lived in enough places and spoken with enough city leaders and fire fighters to know that. Accept it or you would be better served by doing your own research.