SIGH

I once wrote that I would write a book about my time as a Firefighter Paramedic with the City of Los Angeles. Much has changed since I joined back in the early '90's. Most of it has to do with "Politics."

I won't go into much right now, but I feel compelled to "vent" today.

It is a practice amongst people interested in becoming a Firefighter, to visit a Fire Station and talk to us about the job. What is required, what happens, what are the daily duties, what to expect, and a tour of the Fire Station, including the Apparatus and equipment. A vast majority are people who have gone through the appllication process and are about to be hired by the Fire Dept. In most cases, the City Personnel Dept makes the decision on who to hire, not the Fire Dept.

I have seen many people come and go, some come dressed in suits, some a little less dressy. Some are confident, some look intimidated.

Today, a man 5 foot 9 inches tall, about 250 lbs, with a 40 inch waist, wearing a T-shirt, Cargo shorts and flip-flops, with "shaggy" hair and a five-o-clock shadow, came in to ask us about what to expect as a Firefighter. He said he is getting ready for his Oral interview, which is the second step in a 4-5 step process.

I have been on over 15 years and have seen the quality of new recruits go down so much, I want to retire now.

So that's why I say, SIGH..................