Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A Day in the Life of a Long Beach Firefighter
by Samuel Lippke | The Lippke View | 01.26.12 | 
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1:45pm | As a documenter of life I've found people would rather document only the easy and glamourous parts of life. So I've set out to document the intricate parts of real people's lives, the struggles, the risks and the things that matter. In this instance I had the pleasure of spending 24 hours with Bryan Wade, a Long Beach Firefighter.    
                                                                      
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7:30 am January 17th. 
Long Beach CA.
Firestation 11.
I arrive and get settled into what would be my home for the next 24 hours.


Nearly immediately after I got there, a call came in. We were off to a fire. Bryan (the firefighter I would be following for the next 24 hours) had to rush in his gym shorts without shoes due to the urgency of the call.
                                                   
Less then two minutes to change out of his gym shorts, barefoot and a t-shirt into full protective fire gear, including breathing apparatus, mask, boots and gloves.
                                                                                                                                                      
Bryan jumps from one side of the engine to the other to get into the proper gear. This moment could only be described as amazing.
                                                                                                                                                      
From the time Firestation 11 received the call for the fire until this moment Bryan is carrying 100lbs of hose was precisely 2 minutes 44 seconds.


Art Valdes Fire Captain (red helmet) directs the battle against the house fire.


Charles Hakopian rushes to bring a ladder incase roof ventilation is needed.
 

The Apartment is searched and secured while others work to put out the fire. 


8:39am The fire is contained


After the fire is put out, Bryan ensures that there are nothing left in the walls, headboards or floor that could possibly restart the house on fire.
 

Because of the insanely quick response and the skill level of this team of firemen the fire was contained to only one room. A matter of minutes and this apartment would have been burnt to the ground.


 



Firefighter Engineer Willis checks the gauges, engine RPM, water pressures and monitors the truck for optimum performance.
 

After the fire is put out, Bryan Wade walks through the entire apartment to inspect and double check for any additional issues.
 

The captains talk. Art Valdes(right) speaks with co-captain Frank Grimes and works on filing the report. Frank mentions here to notify the Red Cross that this family may be at risk of being displaced.
 

Bryan further investigates the fire and cause.
 

The fire was started inside the closet and at this point I'm not sure how it was started.
 

On to the next call
 

Bryan shares a laugh with Fire Captain 11 over the headset
 

Back at the station crew cleans up, refills breathing apparatus and prepares for the next call




9:59am: Quickly on to the next call, another house fire. After the fire had been contained, Bryan does a search of the home.
 

It ended up being an oven fire. Quickly put out and on to the next emergency.
 



10:20am: Part of the everyday fire station duties. Bryan does his part in keeping the area livable.
 

10:37am The daily briefing.
 







11:09am Bryan inspects a building in his district to make sure it passes all of the fire codes.
 

Bryan and I heading back from a call. I was given "A Valdes" jacket to help bystanders identify me as being part of the team for the day 
 

11:30am: A ladder assist. To help law enforcers locate evidence in a crime. 
 

Police recover the evidence, a revolver that was tossed onto a Long Beach home while the suspect fled. Suspect was caught a few blocks away.
 

12:34pm Stopping by a local grocery store to pick up produce for lunch. Each firefighter pitches in $15 a day for the 3 meals that are cooked by different people in the station each time. 
 

Back at the station, Engineer Willis inspects the Fire Engine he drives.
 

2:21pm The view from the top of the Fire Tower and training facility for all of Long Beach.
 

Walking through the test facility with Bryan Wade.
 

 

Bryan demonstrating the correct way to cut vents on a roof with a chain saw.




The Fire Station 11 team with Long Beach Battalion Chief Greg Henry and Dutch visitor Flinn Deen (far right, in black).
 



3:28pm Captain Frank Grimes gets set for the drill.
 

Plans are quickly given to 3 teams of how they will be fighting the set-up fire.
 

 



Performing a drill
 



This image explains it all. These local heroes enter deadly situations every day, and do it with courage and strength. 
 

Bugbee mans the door for the fire drill.


Bryan's helmet shows the heat of the fire.




4:29pm Heading back to the station to change and eat.


6pm: Before we're able to eat dinner, we leave the food on the table & we're off to another call.


A house call, with complaints of chest pains




Inside the truck, Bryan sets up the patient for the ride to the hospital. (Patient's identity hidden for privacy purposes.)


6:30pm: Bryan sets up for the next call with his gear right outside the door of the engine he puts back on his more comfortable tennis shoes.


In the background the quick release ventilation system that attaches to the muffler of the truck has just been attached. This is huge in protecting lungs from harmful gases in the station.


7:44pm: Called onto a city bus for a seizure victim. This call impressed me at the skill level of the team and how they were able to handle a tough patient.


Quickly transports the patient to the nearby hospital. This gurney may be the best tool I have ever seen. Smooth rolling, hydraulic movements and incredibly stable. 




9:27pm: A fall victim is rushed to the hospital.


10:00pm: Tiller Ladder rear driver and Fireman Engineer sets up his area before getting some rest.


10:02pm: Bryan heads to his small room to try to get some rest after a long days work. Above his bed there is a custom alarm system that wakes him up only if his Truck is called upon.


3:00am: FireStation 11 is called to assist in a DTS (Delirium Tremens Symptoms)


3:15am: Bryan and Charles wash up and head back to their rooms to rest. 


A photo of Firestation 11's call zone.



After spending 24 hours with Bryan and his 10 firehouse mates, I am blown away by the commitment and bravery of each of these firemen. The teamwork and skill level that each person showed was unbelievable. It takes a strong and courageous human to be able to work through some of the things these men see everyday. Problem solvers at their finest. It was an honor to have been apart of 1 full shift. 

I will never look at a passing firetruck the same again.


Comments
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84 Comments so far.
DowntownRes
These guys are true professionals and a great asset to our city.

Too bad I can't say the same about our lazy and corrupt police force...

Ahemm
I think the correct term is firefighter.

CJ
I would love to spend a day with them. This is very fascinating!
Props to all. Good read.

Long Beach Post
@ Ahemm - You're correct, thank you for pointing that out. The necessary corrections have been made.

Clarissa
Awesome photo journal! I really learned a lot. Now the only question I have is why fire station #2 has a ceramic ewe on their lawn.

Headhighroller
Bryan is a true Hero.

June W
These are amazing - well done!

Bob Dobbs
This is great. Please publish more stories like this.

Whatever
Could you please do your next story on an outside sales rep who works 80 hrs per week, 250 days per year, on straight commission with no benefits, no retirement package, makes $45,000 per year and nobody but his/her kids thinks (s)he's a hero?

Bern
Sounds like a union promo to me. I mostly see them shopping for groceries at Vons. That's when I don't see them at the beach on one of their four days off per week.

Wes E
As misguided as "Whatever" and "Bern" are, my 2 firefighter sons would put their lives in jeopardy to save you or your families.

BBguy
That Wade guy is incredibly hot stuff. No wonder he's a firefighter

Too Soon?
How about a story on the former Long Beach fire captain who was convicted of a DUI and just violated his probation by showing up drunk on alcohol distilled from hand sanitizer? Would love to know how his former LBFD co-workers didn't know he had an alcohol problem.

That's I story I'd like to read.

Cory
These firemen are true heros, and Samuel did a stunning job of capturing these emotions in a moment. Very impressive.

enough
Why can't a light weight nice story about our local fire department be posted without all the negativity?
@bern maybe because you never have needed them yourself. Why doesn't the thousands of men and women in business attire eating at restaurants affend you? Seriously, they are buying FOOD. What is wrong with that?

My Uncle
That's my uncle Bryan, one of the bravest men I know. Great story and pictures.

Get over it
To Whatever, I agree that sales person is a hero. Anyone who works long hours to support there family and comes home to be a good parent is a hero. FF don't call themselves heros, just hard working people who want to be good at there job and be a positive example to there family and friends. They are people who are willing to literally kill themselves to save a total stranger.So for the haters, until your willing to step out from your keyboard and die trying to save your most hated coworker, then keep it to your self. Plus ff have 30% higher chance of getting cancer and have a 10 yr less life expectancy than the average person. But still do it and are not asking to be called a hero. As for the former Capt. , do you know everything about everyone you work with? He was an incredible guy who made some horrible mistakes. FF are at the station for 24 hrs, what do you expect them to do for food.

Marlys
We should always hold these professionals in the highest esteem. They give of themselves under the most stressful and dangerous conditions. At the same time, they always seem to have such positive and upbeat attitudes. Our firefighters are truly our heroes that continue to represent the best and most noble parts of our communities. This story is a great reminder.

Erin Davis
Many thanks to all firefighters for their unselfish dedication to humanity. You are our heroes!

Tired of complainers
Thank you for a wonderful article. To all the haters out there, you had the same opportunity to become a firefighter as these men and women. You've chosen your careers, don't hate them for the career choices they've made. And by the way, an average of 100 firefighters a year give their lives serving their communities, so the "4 days off a week" they spend on the beach, an exaggeration, are well deserved.

strength
Amazing..and fantastic!..This is a great story of true honor and commitment..and yes, bryan is hot!

Brass Cahones
Sounds like Bern got burned spending so much time at the beach "watching" firefighters. Let me guess...you're there 4 days a week because you're a lifeguard?
Whatever has the job he does because of his "whatever" attitude.
Please don't let me fall around Too Soon. He likes to kick a man when he's down.
LBFD personel - perfect? No, but they spend every one of their 56 work hours a week striving to be the best so they can make sense out of chaos.
I know I need the men and women of the Fire Departments all over this country. They saved my wife's life.

Dave from Long Beach
Thank god for firefighters....I work with them every day,and trust me they save lives EVERY DAY....they are highly trained and very professorial and you can bad mouth them all you want but the day you, your family or your loved one needs them, ALL the money in the world wont be enough. I can go be an outside sales rep tomorrow but it takes years to become a fully trained and highly skilled firefighter..... And no I'm not a firefighter

AV
Thanks for a great article Samuel...unfortunately we have some real haters on here....the same people who won't hesitate to call 911 when they need help.....then after receiving that help...they'll go back to bashing the Fire Service!! Real Nice!!!!

LB Lover
@Bern - are you retarded? They have 4 days off because they have the other three days ON, meaning they work for 72 hours straight. When was the last time you worked that hard? I don't imagine it being anytime recently, as it would take away from your hanging-out-at-Vons-and-the-beach-checking-out-firefighters time.

Awesome work Samuel Lippke, LBPost, and fire station 11. Very inspirational work.

Carolyn Ratcliff
What a story of bravery and dedication! I am so proud of these men and women who protect our community!

JWilliams
Great article. We are very lucky in Long Beach to have a great fire department. The crew at Station 11 is one of the busiest in the city.

Linda B
I am the proud Mom of a Long Beach firefighter, I enjoyed the article showing their hard work and dedication to what they do!!!

CV
Cool documentary, just one little technicality that stood out -- we don't carry "oxygen tanks" into a fire. A firefighter's SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) uses filtered compressed air.

Reality
HEY DOWNTOWNRES, the "lazy police force" you're referring to, is that the same guys that chased down the fleeing suspect who had a loaded gun? That's the only brave thing that happened in this article. Oh, I forgot...the firemen brought a ladder, put water on a smoking pot and went to the grocery store. Amazing!!!

SNL2
Something like this should be done for the compton fire department, those would be some amazing photos to see.

Thank you!
Nice article and great photos! Wish I had just stopped at the end and not read all of the negative and hateful comments!
I am grateful for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to save our property and lives! Feel free to shop and eat meals while you are on shift, I can't imagine you would have the energy to put out fires and rescue people if you didn't.
No, I do not get 4 days off of at my job, but it was my choice to go into my profession so why would I complain that you do? No one told me I couldn't be a firefighter. Did anyone tell that to the rest of you that are posting all of these negative comments? I'm going to go ahead and guess no! If you think they are overpaid and their job is so easy then why didn't you sign up to become one? Stop with all the jealousy and hate! You know when you need them you won't be complaining so loudly!

Public Servant
Such a neat documentary--I love looking into the lives of people working and serving the public. It's not easy, no matter what you do. Even cooler that it's my uncle Bryan we're all so proud of!
Hey "Reality"-I understand your point to defend polic officers-a service full of bravery and should deserve respect-but don't sink to that level disrespecting others to prove that point.
Forget the negative comments--they're probably made from the same people who think all police officers are corrupt and eat doughnuts all day, and teachers are lazy and get paid too much for what they do. Good luck to people with that outlook in life, and spend some time thinking seriously about who you'd call if someone in your family needed help if we didn't have others who commit their lives to serving the public.

RW Crum
I don't always complement the Post, hell, I don't think I ever have, but this is a great piece by Samuel Lippke. I'd like to see your take on similar experiences with the Police.

naturelover
Way to go Bryan! proud to say I know you and that you support Long Beach!!!

Re: Reality
You're a joke, just like the LBPD. The only thing they are good for is writing tickets on parked cars, and shooting unarmed civilians.

When you call 911 they will arrive in 30-40 minutes if you're lucky. And if you have a car accident and need an accident report, they will say it's "not their problem" and drive off.

Retired Fire Cap
I am proud to say as a retired F/F, (I started out as a Fireman, as it says so on my badge) and 32 years with ten surgeries and surviving cancer I retired. Their was not one minute that I did not truly enjoyed doing the best I could do for the people in my community. I worked for a department who had and still has the busiest run load in the OC. Yes, I too had to explain to some citizens about "shopping" for food at the local grocery store, and usually they understood that we were always ready to respond at any given moment, even from the dining room table before you even had a chance for that first bite. Many, many cold meals were eaten. Thank God for the microwave ovens!! Many days and nights were spent out at the scenes of horrible tragedies or emergenccy locations, but I say to everyone that I would do it all over in a heartbeat. Once you have the firefighting spirit in your blood, nothing else can satisfy your saatisfy the need to serve your fellow man...

Pam of Belmont Heights
Fasinating article and the pictures are great! These firefighters are amazing. I'm truly shocked (although I shouldn't be) at the negative statements posted here. I assume the awful people posting those statements will never call 911, will never need a firefighter or the LB Police Department. Those people should move out of Long Beach to a perfect place...oh wait, there's no such thing. I have tremendous respect for the LBPD and the LBFD! Thanks to them!!

Lusk
To all the haters out there..So sad that your life revolves around bashing hard working, honest people trying to make the world a little safer. When you choke on your cheese puffs and call 911 you might have a change of heart( I doubt it, there is always something for you to complain about). Anyways enough about the whiners lets talk about the winners. How about that Bryan=Hot Stuff WOW! Could you imagine if he wasn't already married?The ladies would be lined up around the block!

Amazing Ding Dong Contrib
Amazing Ding Dong contributors... I would believe Firefighters would love to have a "Hot Meal" prepared and delivered to their firehouse... but instead they have to do their own team shopping at Vons... or where ever ( I prefer Fresh & Easy myself). Visit your local firehouse with a fresh bowl of fruit and leave a menu of choices that you can provide for them and they indicate their preference and later you can return to the firehouse with a memorable hot meal for the team ... that will be working to save you / your loved one and/or your home when in need. Take care of your firehouse neighbor!!

And by the way... The Fire Fighter may not think twice of "dieing" for you.... the spouse/ family certainly will have their hand out for the $$$. All part of the job!!

And....if only those cars would pull to the RIGHT when those lights are flashing!!

Nice coverage, enjoyable read.

Truth
After responding to dozens of emergencies and waking up 6 times through the night, Firefighters need multiple days off in a row to recover from just one 24 hour shift. I've heard of a Long Beach Fire Engine having only one-call in a shift. But that call was pulling 3 young girls out of a fire in 2007. Emergencies are ANYTHING from helping elderly people back to bed to children trapped in burning buildings. Violent patients, traffic accidents, gun shot wounds, heart attacks, child birth, vomit, blood, etc. ...you name it! They deal with it all, and still wave at the smiling children as the Fire Truck goes by; and still return to their families and carry-on the best they can. They live among us all, conducting themselves as anyone would on their days off. The only difference is they have to bare the burden of working in all of the most tragic events and stressful situations on a regular basis. The psychological effects of these tragedies effect Firefighter Brian everyday. Guaranteed! But he (like the rest of the Firefighters and Police officers) files it away to carry-on and continue to do what he loves to do - help people in need! Like YOU and Like ME! Everyone of us writing in this discussion, as well as, everyone we know and love, is currently being protected by their local Firefighters and Police Officers at this (and every) moment!

That other Firefighter "Hakopian" got a metal for saving a kid last year - Google it! These men and women are the real-deal!

Great Documentary! Thank you LB Post. Thank you LBFD!

Richard
What a lot of propaganda. LB is one of the most racially diverse cities in America yet our Firemen are 90% white. Why? Pure and simple racism. Nepotism is rampant and most firemen spend most of their time chasing girls - even though they are already married.
Over paid cowboys.

Bern
Wow! So it is really a union promo after all. Check out the stats on how often these guys actually fight fires in their careers. The primarily get hurt in training exercises, the taxpayers pay them to sleep and eat the three days per week they are on duty and if they are injured it's normally on training exercises, not on real fires.

Think back to the last time LB actually had a significant fire...exactly.

Good for them if they can get union scale, work twenty years, pad their overtime prior to retiring and supplement it with getting classified as being disabled by a union shill doctor so they can kink their pensions higher and we get to pay. Try a reality check. They laugh at the taxpayers. They think we're chumps.

It's bad enough we have to pay for it which is part of the reason we have the financial problems we do, but spare me on the hero foolishness.

Paul
It was an excellent article that must have opened the eyes of some. The politicians need to serve the public as they do and, not become their union spokespersons to the point of diminishing returns. We need more dedicated fire and police not elected poor managers. When that happens more of these fine people will move back to the town where they work!

NubianKnight
@Bern. Perhaps they should make your station a volunteer station since you think we are all over paid an what not. And since you seem to have all the time in the world to keep statistics on all the fires in LB, then you can wait for your volunteer engine company to arrive 3o minutes later with a bunch of inexperienced, sales reps in fireman gear, there to rescue your kids!

Lusk
Bern, So your life isn't going as well as you planned huh? You messed up and now try to blame everyone else for how sad and pathetic your situation is. I would tell you to quit whining and work a little harder but we all know you wont. Its just too easy to sit and cry poor baby! At least you have something new to cry about when you "occupy" LB with your fellow sad sack stooges. If you were one tenth the man Bryan ( or any LBFD / LBPD ) is you would be a stud instead of being a dud. Dont forget to update your facebook status to half stepper because thats all you will ever be.

Pigeon
When you compare ff salaries across the nation, ours are way overpaid and over pensioned. Wish to hell I knew what we have that is so valuable that we must pay top dollar. Oh yeah, everyone in the city is UNION including the management who don't consider taxpayers welfare.

Bern
@ NubianKnight & @ Lusk - It's always great to hear from the government union apologists. You can't rebut facts so you resort to personal attacks.

My life is great and I have the satisfaction knowing I earn my money in the real world and I'm not living off my fellow taxpayers while the City of LB and State go broke due to their sweetheart deals with the unions.

Save your pro-union lectures for those that haven't been around long enough to understand what is really going on.

Next time just post a PDF of your union cards along with your comments. Union Lackeys.

You people disgust me
To all the haters we like to think of you people as a little thing called "job security" because you are the idiots who are most likely going to be doing something stupid, and end up needing 911 services.

Lil' Bern
Yeah, I know my dad doesn't amount to much. He's been a hater all his life. I had to move far away from all the negativity. Truth is my mom always wanted a wholesome, kind, generous, active and caring man, but she chose poorly - it was before my dad turned into a HUGE couch potato. She finally got what she deserved (married a Firefighter-explains alot,huh?)
Now he just sits at home, lonely and depressed about never amounting to much, never contributing to society. Hey Dad, hook up with Richard (aka Dick) and Pigeon and make me laugh with a remake of the Three Stooges.

RW Crum
You know, I'd just like to say again how much I enjoyed this article and look forward to seeing more like it. As for some of the other comments on here, sometimes all you can do is just shake your head and wonder.

Lusk
Bern, we can tell that your life is so "great" by how you spend all of your free time scouring websites looking for things to whine about. Your contribution to society is just as worthless as that last sweaty thrust that concieved you!

Cinderella203
Thank GOODNESS you covered this piece! Brian Wade is a great person, firefighter and dad (I know his wife and kids). I'm also grateful to have him and the entire LBFire department available to us at a moment's notice. They have helped my mom when she fell and broke her arm, my dad who had a heart attack, and my own son, who fell and lost consciousness. The people who bad mouth public SERVANTS are so self absorbed, they will NEVER see that our PUBLIC SERVANTS are there for them. But, they can’t see past their own selfish eyelids. Remember, they’re the same people who will call the fire department when their stomach hurts or they have a splinter in their big toe. It’s ok. We ALL know one of them. And, we ALL deal with them, pity them or divorce them. We also need to wish them peace in their small minds. Bern, your screen name alone implies why the firefighters upset you so. I wish you peace.

Sick O
@Lusk

Your attempt to defend the Fire Department says a lot of bad things about you when you have to write probably the most disgusting thing that we may have ever seen on this website since it's inception, quoting Hero you;

'' Your contribution to society is just as worthless as that last sweaty thrust that concieved you!''

If you speak for the Fire Department then farewell to our support.

Is your second job producing porno? Or just making people vomit?



Too Soon?
Wow. When did start beatifying firefighters? After 9/11?

It's a little too much to be so in awe of firefighters, as if they're God's gift to society.

There are multitudes of workers who do just as dangerous jobs on a DAILY basis, but we don't place them on the same road to sainthood, as some people seem to do with firefighters.

It is not a sin to question pensions, or any facet of this public service. We do, after all, pay for it with our tax dollars.

And I would still like to know how the co-workers of former LBFD fire captain John Hines DIDN'T know he had a drinking problem.

So proud of my Uncle
I really had no idea that my Uncle Bryan risked his life like that everyday. I am so proud of him and the countless other fire fighters that put themselves last so others can be first. Thank you Uncle Bryan and all the other fire fighters out there!

Bern
@ Lil Bern, @ Lusk - Thanks again for proving up standard union tactics. Your personal attacks don't hurt, scare or intimidate me. Might work on politicians that care about being reelected, but not so much on the taxpayers that pay for the stage, actors and production of this foolishness.

You people need to put your ear to the ground and listen. Public Unions are a huge part of the problems that all of our communities are now having to bear. The days of Union foolishness are coming to an end. No matter how many union members, wives, children, aunts, uncles, cousins or bailbondsmen of union members post in lockstep to this site.

Too many people understand what has gone before. You're done. It's just a matter of time.

@ Sick O, @ Too Soon - Thanks for speaking truth to illegally gained and leveraged power.

Had Enough
To Bern:

F#ck you.

MB
I really enjoyed reading this article (well the pictures spoke for themselves) and learned alot more than I ever knew about this career. What an impressive eye-opener. It appears to take great strength and knowledge to operate and perform this job successfully; therefore deserving my humble respect and awareness. @Bern and the anti-union posters- I called and found out that any person of the public is welcome in the firehouse and can ride along with the crew anytime. Maybe you might want to spend a few hours of your time and ride-along to really reflect on your negative attitude toward our public servants. As the author did, he apparently changed his opinion as well stating, "I will never look at a passing firetruck the same again", maybe you should and will too. These guys' salaries are my tax paying dollars well spent! Thank you LBFD!

ANH916
@Bern: I don't think you will find anyone refuting your claim that unions misuse their power and tend to inflate the rate of pay when the economy thrives. These men are not arguing that. The simple fact is this- many firemen do the job because they are passionate about it and care about people, not for the pensions or the pay (which, in my opinion, is quite low when you consider their base salary without overtime, the overtime they MUST work because the city has many vacancies they are not willing to fill). When you also consider the fact that many of these men don't even live long enough to see their pensions, you may have a little more perspective on things. Unions are not what they used to be, but that does not mean that our firefighters are the ones sucking at the city tit. The cities are in trouble because they spend more money than they have, partly because of the union influences, but certainly not because of the firefighters. If you follow city politics in LB you would know that the fire department has refused yearly increases in salary for several years now because they are more concerned for the safety of the people, and less so with the increase in pay. Decent firefighters work because they love the job, plain and simple.
@whatever: Firemen sometimes work up to 96-hour weeks, even more when they go on strike teams. Firefighter or not, anyone working long hours to support their families deserves recognition. I'm sure there are other published articles addressing those commendable folks as well.

Truth
Learn your history. Unions were formed to protect us from Big Money Corps' unchecked power and abuse of the blue collar worker. Politicians in D.C. are making $750,000 a year (AVERAGE) in glorified desk-jobs! Firefighters and Police Officers spend every second they're on duty in the cross-hairs of death or injury and have to work 2-3 times their assigned shifts to be able to afford a decent life in Southern California! They spend as much time and training to become professionals as doctors and lawyers do; and then get paid one third as much too! Lives and property of good, honest people fall into their hands everyday; and complainers have a problem investing pennies a day to compensate them?? Seriously? How much money do you think each tax payer in Long Beach pays for Public Safety? ...about $1/day for police, and $0.50/day for fire!!! That's IT! You think that is TOO MUCH??? You probably pay more for TV! Right?

Wake Up Bern (and company)! Unions are NOT the enemy!!!
Very few American factions can throw stones at others regarding blame for economic conditions. They've ALL played a part in it. Fact is Firefighter Unions are fighting for fair compensation JUST AS MUCH as they are fighting for proper protection of citizens. The managers of Long Beach would leave all the people in it's boundaries protected by a volunteer driving a golf cart, wielding a squirt gun if Firefighter Unions didn't fight to keep Engines, Trucks, and Ambulances open!

The fall of the economy is because Big Money Banks toppled it! Approving loans (they new people could not afford), getting bail-out money from the government (our tax money), then filling bankruptcy, hiking up the top seats in the companies' salaries and driving the banks into the ground... Finally retiring as Billionaires and watching the middle class get SQUEEZED into poverty! Laughing all the way! Those same Big Money Banks today and the people most invested in them are the ones attempting to strip unions of the ability to defend us everyday people. So they can line their pockets even more while the American Dollar burns!

Standby folks, if we as a people lose our ability to unite and have a voice in Labor Issues, the END of America as we love it will be OFFICIALLY here! You think its rough out here now?

This article was clearly about one journalist's positive, up-close experience with a Firefighter. You haters have successfully dragged these political debates into it... But you are wrong on EVERY point you've made!

You just have NO IDEA what you're talking about!
Shame on You!

Thank you everyone who is speaking up against these jerks and standing up for the firefighters! I'm with you!

Too Soon?
@ Truth- " Firefighters and Police Officers spend every second they're on duty in the cross-hairs of death or injury and have to work 2-3 times their assigned shifts to be able to afford a decent life in Southern California!"

Really? How many LB firefighters or police officers died while on duty last year? Do you know how many port workers were killed on duty last year? FYI, many more were.

" They spend as much time and training to become professionals as doctors and lawyers do; and then get paid one third as much too!"

Really? You're equating the studies and curriculum of a doctor or lawyer to a firefighter? Sorry, but not even close.

"The managers of Long Beach would leave all the people in it's boundaries protected by a volunteer driving a golf cart, wielding a squirt gun if Firefighter Unions didn't fight to keep Engines, Trucks, and Ambulances open!"

Exagerate much? Doubtful, as the citizens of Long Beach would NEVER stand for that.

To use your words " You just have NO IDEA what you're talking about!
Shame on You!"

Bern
@ Had Enough - Thanks for making my point for me. Did you pick that line up at the Union Hall? Here's a tip...If you want to further your union cause the next time you're tempted to be the fool...don't.

@ ANH916 - At least you make some sense. That said no one with a brain cares about base, non-overtime compensation except the union negotiators. Check out their average W2's and compare them to the annualized average hourly rates. Do the math. I'm sure lot's of these firefighters are good guys, but it doesn't change the fact that they and the Union are working the taxpayers, period. In particular check out the average W2s in the two to three years prior to retirement for our firefighters. It speaks for itself. It would be cool if you and your friends didn't insult the intelligence of the taxpayers that are paying these pensions. It's one thing to get messed with, totally another thing to have the people that are messing with you try to convince you that you are somehow being "unfair" by looking at actual results.

These firefighters are working for the money. They aren't St Francis or Mother Theresa. If they that pure and unsullied they should have gone into the priesthood, which frankly it sounds like most of those reading this blog think they have.

Do everyone a huge favor and don't make them out to be something they aren't. It's a

Methinks you're another union friend, but truthfully, very few entities of any sort are granting the defined benefit retirement programs that government unions are still being granted. They went away twenty years ago in the private sector.

As long as we're talking about pensions let's get some investigative journalism on the guys that are taking early disability retirement and going to work in similar capacities in other venues while milking the LB taxpayers for full disability.


Whatever
Whoa man, my little comment sure started a fire on the page! I have nothing against FFs and did not say anything "hateful" about them (go re-read it). In fact I have many FF customers and about 5 or 6 FF friends. I know FFs and love them. BUT all the hero worship is really a bit much. They work hard and see danger yes. They make a very good living doing it too with lots of benefits and great job security, no problem. But jeeze, I have friends that have retired in their early 50's at way more pay for life (like 6 figures) than I or most people ever make in their life (forget about doctors and lawyers... I mean most people). They aren't bagging that cash because that's what the job is worth in the free market, it's because they have a union that has the city and the rest of us by the balls. So OK, that's life and my pals have it made in the shade and their kids can have great money-stress free lives, OK. But pleeeeze, don't rub our noses in it too with all the gooey hero worship, that's just too much. BTW I have partied mucho with my FF pals and yes, in general, a lot of them do drink, chase skirts and cheat(not all of them though).

Truth
@Too Soon? -
"How many LB firefighters or police officers died while on duty last year? Do you know how many port workers were killed on duty last year? FYI, many more were."

So you are so blind that you need a local Firefighter or Police Officer to die to see what they do?? Real nice. 343 died in NYC a few years back (remember that??), and I bet you saw what they do then! "Never Forget." Thank GOD no Long Beach officers died last year. I'm sure plenty of them were injured and (FOR SURE) put in harms way. Fires and violent crimes happen EVERY DAY here! Go read the names on the Police/Fire Memorial at City Hall and pay your respects one of these days. ...Port workers are working in extremely dangerous circumstances too (duh!)... News Flash: They're a Union as well, and rightfully so.

"Really? You're equating the studies and curriculum of a doctor or lawyer to a firefighter? Sorry, but not even close."

Academically - not comparable. Agreed. But, time spent - Equal! ...Stress Level - Equal! Or, if anything, Firefighters have doctors and lawyers beat.

"Exaggerate much? Doubtful, as the citizens of Long Beach would NEVER stand for that."

HA! Yes, "a golf cart and a squirt gun" IS an exaggeration - Congratulations for picking up on that! But, the Mayor, City Manager, and most of the City Council members have consistently placed mundane issues and greed before public safety. They have cut back for the last 4 years (and longer) on Fire and Police resources in the city with MINIMAL public input. We would be one of the most dangerous cities in California (possibly the U.S.) if these Public Safety unions weren't taking a stand. We would be as safe (dangerous) as Detroit has become, or at least on our way there. I've been at the council meetings. I've spoken up against Public Safety cuts. I've seen how many people would "NEVER stand for it" - as you say... You CLEARLY haven't been there. Because, if you had been at the council meetings I attend, you wouldn't be so sure of the public's participation. They aren't aware of the shenanigans of the people running this city. The mayor, etc. only sees dollar signs. They (like YOU obviously) will wait until lives are lost before they stand up for the well-being of the citizens of Long Beach. One problem - you can't get those lives back once their gone.


I DO have an idea. In fact, I know exactly what I'm talking about. I've been here watching and listening to the city politics for too many years to have anyone tell me that public safety is a priority to our city bosses! It NEEDS to be. I love Long Beach and the people who protect it. They deserve the compensation they get. Compensate them for the job they do, the risks they take, and the families that HOPE and PRAY they make it home safe everyday!

Bern
@ Truth - I wasn't going to respond to your goofiness but I can't help myself.

If you had read anything but union propaganda about how unions actually work maybe you'd quit making yourself look so silly.

Unions were appropriate back when Henry Ford was building the Model A & T. Since that time they almost succeeded in giving the US auto industry to the Japanese and have continuously provided a haven for underperforming employees in every unionized line of work. Slackers easily hide behind unproductive work rules, union stewards and union doctors and milk the system at the expense of everyone but themselves. This particularly includes public unions like Police and Fire.

Politicians are not my friends, but please name even one that makes $750K per year. Quote your source.

You should pay closer attention to what is actually going on. Teachers Unions have ruined our schools and the education of our children. Everyone I know that can afford it sends their kids to private school in SoCal since it's the only way to assure they'll be ready for university studies.

The Police and Firefighters Unions have had politicians in their pockets for years which is a large part of how this mess got created. Now that people are starting to wake up and see them for what they are the union supporters are not happy. Can't say I blame them but that's life. People that work in the private sector have been fighting in the real economy from day one. The Unions insulate their members from the financial reality that all of us have to live in. Time to join the real world.

Finally, talk to some of these young people that are trying to get onto the Fire Dept. By and large they aren't doing it to save lives. They're doing it because of all of the crazy benefits that the unions have accumulated over the years. It's a big salary, short work week, early retirement and to top it off it's almost impossible to get fired. Oh yeah...and all of their friends and relatives think they're some kind of heros when in reality they just won the job lottery and are laughing at all of us all the way to the bank and early, taxpayer supported retirement.

Too Soon?
@ Truth- I think you're missing the point. No, thanks, I DON"T need a ff or police officer to die to see what they do, what a ridiculous statement. My point is that there are LOTS of other very dangerous jobs that other workers do an a DAILY basis, not 3 or 4 days a week and then only when there is actually a fire. Port workers work under very dangerous conditions EVERY DAY they work and are killed regularly on the job. Yes, they have a union but you don't see the general public fawning over them like they are Mother Teresa on the way to sainthood. It is sickening and a little over the top how we put firefighters on a pedestal.

As for the 343 firefighters who died during 9/'11, it has been noted that it was the wrong decision by ff personnel to reenter the towers that ultimately collapsed on them.

And again, to equate the "stress" level of a firefighter with that of a doctor seems like you're comparing apples and oranges, especially when you consider that when a fire is out (and how often are there life threatening fires to begin with) it is out, and the firefighters go home, and they are done. Doctors or surgeons might spend hours in surgery and then have the stress of monitoring their patient to see if he recovers or takes a turn for the worse. You still want to discuss stress levels? Not even close.

And while our very dysfunctional city government plays fast and loose with contracts and funding, it is doubtful that they would allow Long Beach to be at risk from fires, afterall, it's in their own best interest to maintain the city in order to justify their positions. But-- if they did resort to golf carts and fire extinguishers, I would have no problem hiring a private fire company to insure my home if it came to that.

Jack R
I read some of the comments and had to offer my own. My son is a Fire Captain in a local Southern California City. He didn't get involved because it was a glamor gig. He loves what he does and quite honestly wouldn't want to do anything else. The fact is, he has worked very hard just to get the job, and worked even harder and put himself in danger ever since. What you don't readily see is what the family deals with and toll it takes on the young men doing this job. I've seen my son age in the last few years due to the many shifts without sleep or rest and the stress of the responsibility. He's in the busiest station in a roughest area of the city. They see things most of us never see in our lifetimes. It all takes it's toll. As a veteran and a former medic, I view these guys as I do the military. None are asking to be viewed as heroes, most are just asking that we help take care of them and their families in the long run, as they sacrafice for us. When my son reaches retirement age, he will have earned the pension he will receive 10 times over. I'm sad to say the current trend is that many cities are trying to take all that away. They don't want to be glorified, just respected and treated fairly. I couldn't be more proud!

Agreed
I see both sides of these comments. Firefighters do have a dangerous job and provide in invaluable service. They generally apprear to be smart, maintain good physical conditioning and are well trained. On the flip side, they are generously compensated for what they do. One day on three or four days off, $100,000 plus with overtime, benefits that are ten times better than the private sector, fat pensions that are bankrupting California, retirement guaranteed in your fifties. How lucrative unions have made this job is made obvious when you learn how difficult it is to join this fraternity. I commend the job firefighters do but given the compensation they recieve from our tax dollars there should be a high expectation of providing competent service.

@Jack R
I would be proud too if one day my son becomes a firefighter. I do have to disagree with you regarding the compensation issue. Our public sector employees pensions (firefighters, prison guards, teachers) are literally bankrupting this state. The out year pension liabilities are in the billions and cannot be paid unless the services provided by the very people that receive the pensions are drastically cut. What does this do for your grand children and great grandchildern. The pension increases voted on during the flush tax revenue year need to be adjusted downwards NOW to a reasonable level determined by factoring pension liability versus projected tax revenue over the next fifty years.

Bern
I doubt anyone will change their minds but these are my parting observations:

- Many of the Dads, Grandfathers and Uncles posting here were also firefighters so it's hardly surprising that they are true believers after all they most likely has a major impact on their progeny becoming firefighters, by legitimate or illegitimate influence.

- Those of us that have been in the U. S. Armed Services understand how important firefighting is. Part of the reason many young men go into the service in fire control ratings is to try to get a "leg up" in municipality hiring once they muster out of the service.

- If our LB firefighters are so self-sacrificing in their worldview then they should totally support emulating the wages, benefits and retirement of our patriotic U.S. servicemen in the fire fighting ratings versus the corrupt union compensation that is currently ruining our CA economy.

- I won't hold my breath waiting for current or past LB firefighters signing up for this plan, but it would be great if they would surprise me and actually fulfill this magical vision of their mythical "sacrifice" of their life in the interest of the common good.

Go ahead and take your money if your union contract provides for it, just don't insult us by claiming you're being altruistic. You offend anyone with the ability to objectively reason when you try to have it both ways.

Too Soon?
Ditto what Bern said...

Agreed Too
Firefighters seem like a nice group of guys that have nice homes, second homes at the river with all the toys, drive nice cars and continue that nice lifestyle on the public dole after retiring at a young age. The problem the union driven payscale is not sustainable even for the nice guys.

vigilis61
I was a volunteer firefighter in a dept. of part paid and volunteer firefighters for 41 years in a population of 80,000 souls.It took some time for us to all work together,we helped them they trained us.Since we worked along side them they wanted used trained well and we were.We experienced the same heat,smoke, sadness and joy.A volunteer had to leave work, supper,and all the things that a normal citizen enjoys to go gladly do those things a FF does in service for there community. I greatly respect those FIREFIGHTERS for ther service to that town and all the towns in the US. W.D.Schell
Vol.Battalion Chief

No Question About It
Bern comes across as a bitter, frustrated person, envious of firefighters. Sad.

Bern
@ No Question About It - Not so much, but nice try. I'm actually a really happy, smart guy that has only taken a government check one time in my life, when I was in the U.S. Navy Submarine service.

Other than my military service I made my own way, my own money and my own life on my brains, initiative and hard work in spite of having to pay stupid levels of taxes to help pay the pensions of firefighters who retire in their 50's with six figure pensions. To add insult to injury these firefighters and their families are so indoctrinated to the union way they don't have a clue why regular people have a problem with it. Oh yeah, I've also never considered or threatened a work stoppage of any sort, unlike the normally unspoken but ever present implicit threat from unions.

Based upon the questionable quality of the responses to my posts it also doesn't appear any union supporters have developed the ability to rebut actual facts or make responsive comments. Their posts seem limited to name calling and emotional outbursts that sound more like school girls than adults. Based upon that maybe they do need union rules to protect them after all.

In any case, enjoy the union gravy train while you can. It is already collapsing from it's own weight. We'll just hope it doesn't take the economy of the entire state down with it.

WorkingStiff
@Bern, C'mon Bern give the FFs a break. They just aren't too good at debating. They don't know the rules and expectations for intellectual honesty and logical rigor so they pick up whatever mud and sticks happen to be laying about. That's why they're FFs and not business people. They think they deserve all the adulation and cash-a-lation they get. They forget how their in-law, or dad or best friend's uncle got them their coveted slot in the FD. They have no clue what it is like to spend your life constantly planning, strategizing and politicking just to survive. If they ever had to work in the real economy they would be earning the pay of a truck driver or construction worker. So let 'em have their illusions, their gilded self-esteem and their money. It's a beautiful bubble, let them enjoy it. Besides, you or I wouldn't trade living by our wits in the real world, with all it's blood, sweat, tears, fear and opportunity for a cushy, pampered infantile existence anyway. Would you really want to wear big rubber boots, ring a bell on a shiny truck and get all excited every time some grandma calls 911? My kid thinks that stuff is fun, not us.

ERNurse
So lame

ERNURSE
Whatever

RW Crum
@Bern- give some thought to the idea that you're not worth the time to "debate". Someone so entrenched with the biases you display here gives rise to the thought you only appeared here to cause trouble. You've succeeeded, good for you.

ERNURSE
Hey working stiff I hope you aren't a school teacher! Get it working stiff!!! If so expect a visit from Chris Hansen. I made you some sweet tea!!

Bern
@ WorkingStiff - Well Played.

@ ER Nurse - Appreciate you proving up my position. I'm thinking you're not quite getting it but thanks for playing.

@ RW Crum - You're entitled to your opinion. At least you can string a sentence together. Methinks that actually the quality of the responses has much more to do with the ability & capacity of the players. Unlike the FF union members and their spawn I only wanted to stake out a position for myself and other taxpayers based in reason and respect for the entire LB community as opposed to the self interest of a few. It's not complicated if a person is being objective. If your mortgage payment is dependent upon a union contract I can appreciate the enthusiasm and even the f*ck you responses I received previously. Not Cool, but understandable.

That's what happens to people when they are told how to think and to blindly support a union. They lose their capacity to think and perform as a person and ultimately they lose their individualism, which is unfortunate as our country was built on the strength of individuals doing the right thing to protect all of the members of our community.

Finally I didn't appear here to cause trouble. I appeared here to exercise my first amendment rights. I obviously don't appreciate the pro-union softball approach the Post took with the firefighters in this piece. That said it is their right under the constitution so good for them. Fortunately it doesn't appear that the Post is going to defer to the heavy handed influence of the unions, which I also appreciate.

That's pretty much it. You can't hide anymore. The survival of our community and state is literally at stake. The real question is if you will step up to your responsibility as citizens or wait until the last union member in CA is standing and our economy is a smoking wreck to agree to be reasonable.

I think I know the answer. I hope I'm wrong.

Ron Roberts
What a clown fire dept. they should be absorbed into a real fire dept. like mine or la county. Is long beach a volunteer dept.?

Bern's balls
@Bern - So little discipline. Looks like you "couldn't help yourself" four more times. I laugh at your attempt to make every one else's statement "prove your point." Typical politician tactic - avoid the truth and twist words.
I'll bet you're one of those insurance salesmen making 350K a year (something ff's don't even have the chance to do). You and all the other polyester ponies and leisure suit lounge lizards make sure you turn away any ff's or police that show up to bail your smug ass out of a jam. Make sure you treat them like crap, be disrespectful and rude and tell them a better way to do their job. Or just keep hiding behind your keyboard.

The Lippke View
Samuel Lippke is a photographer residing in Belmont Shore, shooting high-end events, fashion and international photojournalism. Samuel is constantly looking to shape and change peoples lives with each photo he takes.

Samuel has photographed for Volcom clothing company, HOWE, Lani, Lee Lacocca & The City of Long Beach. His images have appeared in the Press-Telegram & Grunion Gazette. He is published in wedding magazines & featured online. His international travels have been featured in books and in a documentary film (recent photo trips include Indonesia, Tokyo, Paris, London, Mexico City, Costa Rica, Philippines, South Africa and Cuba). Samuel is a WPJA member (Wedding PhotoJournalist Association) & is represented by ZUMA press.

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