Originally Posted by PennBF (Post 898776)

How many know and care that The Villages allegedly pay their Fireman and EMT's about 20% LESS than the area's around us. That is why we have a higher turn over of these very valuable skills. I just found out today and was surprisd. When we have needed them for any reason (e.g. replace smoke detectors etc.) they have been proompt and courteous and make you proud they are our firemen or EMT's. I doubt this note will do anything to help them get up to the local standards but at least it brings the terrible treatment to the attention of all readers. Be sure to say thanks when you see them as the least we can give them is appreciation for all that they do and for less rewards than others. :ohdear:

Originally Posted by DougB (Post 899209)

How much did they make on their calendar, "Firefighters of the Viilages"?

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 899136)

Mr. Frank

#1. Thank you for not biting your tongue. [it saved a 911 call ;-) ]

#2. Thank you for your service to our society.

#3. Thank you for selecting TV........I am honored you are here and hope to meet you some day.

#4. Thank you for your post.

#5. Like teachers, we owe these Teams our respect and support.

Thank you Mr. F.

:bigbow:

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 899486)

Ya know, this being your first post, and me being an oldie at jobs inside institutions, I'm wondering how an employee could get away with such a post. You may not know that your admins can fire you and your computer can be tracked.
since you put your hard work into getting where you are, I'm decidedly skeptical you would throw it away for a spurious, angry post, but apparently you are in the wrong job or you would think of your position before shooting off.

I'm thinking you're not the kind of man I want on the team when I code, me and my privileged lifestyle. Standing over me feeling sorry for yourself.

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist (Post 899489)

fyi...the powers that be...

Public Safety
3035 Morse Boulevard
The Villages, FL 32163

Phone: 352-205-8280
Fax: 352-205-8290
Email Public Safety

Business Hours for Administration:
8am to 5pm, EST
Monday – Friday
Excluding Holidays

Originally Posted by buggyone (Post 899540)

Just my own personal thought here - I am guessing that the person who wrote the post AS a Villages Fireman IS a "pot stirrer" and is really NOT a Villages Fireman.

I also continue to believe that $42,000 is a good starting salary for a job that requires just a GED or high school education.

Originally Posted by Hancle704 (Post 899555)

As a resident who remembers what it was like when the Sumter County section of the Villages was served by the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, I am extremely thankful for the Public Safety department that was formed and has grown since its inception. We are fortunate to have this wonderful group of caring, highly skilled professionals that are second to none. Having said that, I think it might be helpful to consider how many applicants there have been for the jobs that have been created due to expansion. How many individuals have been promoted and I would assume have had their salaries increased since the department started? In our economy over the last 10 years how many have been laid off or felt that they did not have job security?

I think it is fair to also ask, how many are able to work second jobs because of the work schedules they have in the department? Some might think it is unfair that people have to work second jobs, but ask teachers who find summer employment and young couples who are willing to take on additional employment to enable them to save for home and car purchases in this economy. This is not unique to the Fire/EMS profession. Ask the folks who chose to serve in the military what kind of salary they receive.

No doubt there are some areas in the US where police and fire employees can put in their 20, earn substantial salaries and enjoy great pensions with medical benefits. The simple fact is, those kinds of jobs are not here, but are in areas where $500k buys you a small home with some big real estate taxes, second rate schools and real long commute times.

Originally Posted by Average Guy (Post 899532)

I am not sure why you posted the contact information, but given that it was 15 minutes after you posted that someone could be fired from their job based on a posting on TOTV, it appears as though you posted so readers could report the poster, villagesff, to his/her superiors. I may or may not agree with what was posted, but it does not seem to me to be something I would report to someone's superiors.

Then you close your post with "Jesus loves me this I know" seems a bit much to me.

Originally Posted by TraceyMooreRN (Post 899517)

I was told that an EMT/Paramedic with The Villages was making approx. $9.60 an hour. These are the guys/gals who perform CPR, administer life saving medications on scene, assist Fire Department and are with you in the ambulance on the way to the ER. I happen to know many of these men/women.

I was AMAZED at how little this job paid....I know that the pay scale for Florida is much lower than my previous place (Virginia)...but again surprised.

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 899568)

Was it for a Villages employee *or* someone with Rural/Metro or one of the other ambulance services? Given that R/M is in financial problems, I would not be surprised at them paying employees very little. Of course, that hasn't lowered the fees that they charge patients.

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 899514)

As many of you have noticed (and some commented upon), I'm not always exactly nice in all of my comments. I say this because I'm sure that I will irritate a few folks with what I have to say.

I think part of what villagesff if trying to tell you is that "thank you for your service" is nice, but it rings hollow when the next line is something like "and why are you being paid so much to sleep, read comic books, and do nothing..." And, I understand that feeling. Kind of like saying "well, you got paid to sleep in that foxhole, didn't you?"

Men and women who become firefighters do so because the things that make them tick. They don't do it for glory or to get rich. That having been said, they are very aware that they pay for what they do each day with their bodies. When their bodies are used up, we thank them and send them off into the sunset. Except that they still have families and themselves to support and not many jobs are out there for banged up retired firemen. (and for those of you who think that is silly, ask a retired soldier why you don't see 60 year old infantrymen. In the old days, that is exactly what used to happened to old soldiers and sailors - they served until they were too broken down to do anything.)

Saying thanks is nice. What would be nicer would be to write the CDD folks and express that maybe we need to provide better retirement options or longevity pay increases. Stop by and drop off some home baked cookies or muffins or whatever with a note that says "I sleep better at night because I know you folks have my back." When your club or organization is looking for a project, consider doing something for the children of our firefighters.

And don't jump on one that speaks from their heart. Be grateful that he or she has the courage to do so.

Originally Posted by PennBF (Post 899611)

It is amazing that some believe $575 a week is a livable rate for a small family. It is also amazing that some believe the answer is for them to get a second job if they want enough to live on. Let's hope this is in the minority and that more believe in a livable wage for these great public servants. We pay millions to make sure the landscape is pretty but ignore these needs. What has ever happened to our values??:o

Originally Posted by Bizdoc (Post 899514)

As many of you have noticed (and some commented upon), I'm not always exactly nice in all of my comments. I say this because I'm sure that I will irritate a few folks with what I have to say.

I think part of what villagesff if trying to tell you is that "thank you for your service" is nice, but it rings hollow when the next line is something like "and why are you being paid so much to sleep, read comic books, and do nothing..." And, I understand that feeling. Kind of like saying "well, you got paid to sleep in that foxhole, didn't you?"

Men and women who become firefighters do so because the things that make them tick. They don't do it for glory or to get rich. That having been said, they are very aware that they pay for what they do each day with their bodies. When their bodies are used up, we thank them and send them off into the sunset. Except that they still have families and themselves to support and not many jobs are out there for banged up retired firemen. (and for those of you who think that is silly, ask a retired soldier why you don't see 60 year old infantrymen. In the old days, that is exactly what used to happened to old soldiers and sailors - they served until they were too broken down to do anything.)

Saying thanks is nice. What would be nicer would be to write the CDD folks and express that maybe we need to provide better retirement options or longevity pay increases. Stop by and drop off some home baked cookies or muffins or whatever with a note that says "I sleep better at night because I know you folks have my back." When your club or organization is looking for a project, consider doing something for the children of our firefighters.

And don't jump on one that speaks from their heart. Be grateful that he or she has the courage to do so.

Originally Posted by villagesff (Post 899615)

hello again and I apologize that this may be long, but on the good side it will be the last you here from me. I start off to apologize if anyone took my message negatively. I never stated anything bad about working for the FD and wanted to state only the factual pay(which is for a 52 hour work week)

I never complained about the pay. Which is lower than many depts. The reason I work in this place is I love the area I work in. I meet so many insanely interesting people and people I respect so much like the veterans I see at Honor Flight and other events. I am in awe of these people that have served and defended us. I get so many thank yous and some of the most crazy delicious cookies from residents you cant stay on a diet. I and the others are dedicated and work hard to be there in your times of need.
We will always be there for you.

What I don't like are people who constantly complain about people who "sleep at work" or bankrupt cities with the pensions.

We have many people that have higher education and special training and it takes time to become good at your job. I get tired of seeing good people leave. It is a complex issue and many people are working hard to fix the problem. I do believe Mrs Tutt and the admin staff are hard working and doing there best and they do a good job of managing the Villages and its departments.

If you want to complain go ahead but who do you think I work for, they are not tyrants. They wont fire me for having an opinion. they are not secret police who will track me down. I have said nothing wrong or untrue

I will always be there when you need me even if you are one of the few haters.

And to all the others, thank you for your support and caring about us enough to bring this up

Originally Posted by memason (Post 899716)

Well, I am perfectly happy when these guys get paid to do absolutely nothing!

When they are doing nothing, that means they're not needed to save someone's life or put out a house fire.

Think about that....

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 898814)

Source of the following information:
Firefighter EMT Paramedic Salary in The Villages, FL | Indeed.com

Average Firefighter EMT Paramedic Salary

The Villages $67,000
Ocala 70,000
Leesburg 60,000
Lady Lake 65,000
Wildwood 66,000

Just the average doesn't consider staffing levels or seniority.
A simple Google search will point out the the 20% is bogus.

Are our firefighter's & EMT's underpaid? Your damn right if they are picking me up off my death bed!

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 899753)

Some of us on this thread could have gone all day and not posted a single thing. Some of us are always fair and some of us are always unrealistic and some are grumpybutts. Period and AMEN.

Originally Posted by old moe (Post 899733)

:sigh:When I lived on Long Island I put in 20 years as a Vol.Fireman with NO PAY AT ALL, and was Proud to do it. Is anyone ever happy with how much they are paid these days??? ::spoken::sigh:

Originally Posted by memason (Post 899716)

Well, I am perfectly happy when these guys get paid to do absolutely nothing!

When they are doing nothing, that means they're not needed to save someone's life or put out a house fire.

Think about that....