Comments on: Fire Captain To Respond As New Chief

By: Joe Cleveland

Joe Cleveland — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:02:02 +0000

Mr. Tait I would like to know more of the facts of your incident. Who were the crews that came out to your home.(Basically what fire engine came.)And I would like to know how they treated your family. Have you filed a complaint or lawsuit because of the negligence you perceived?
I myself cannot believe that ACEMS and BFD were fighting over whose patient it was. The system is set up to where ACEMS is in charge on medical calls. No questions. I also find it very hard to believe that they(ACEMS and BFD)were in any other way than respectful towards your family. If either of this is untrue please elaborate because this incident should not only be just posted on here, but if it was me I would want media attention, the city and county attorney’s attention, and the Fire Chief and ACEMS director’s attention.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:15:48 +0000

I think that ACEMS and BFD would both agree that even though we have our differences, the patient is still the first priority and is currently recieving the best out of hospital care possible. Whatever happened with Mr. Tait is not the norm. Our Firefighters and County medics are the best.

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:35:42 +0000

Mr. Tait,
Please accept my condolences on your loss. And my apologies for the circumstances under which you formed your opinion. Sometimes, even though we passionately believe in our respective positions,we lose sight of what the goal is here.
Your situation brings into the light of day the pettiness in which some of our public agencies operate. I guess this is an open statement to the BFD and ACEMS. You two children can fight all you want behind your station house doors. But when you get in front of the public, you better damn well be on the same page. Simply because we are paying your bills. Capiche??

By: David Tait

David Tait — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 02:20:52 +0000

Both the EMS and Fire respondents in this blog are really coming across as ego-centic and self-centered. 6 months ago my son suffered a cardiac arrest and it was EMS and Fire that argued on the sign “whoose patient it was” why my son lay dead at my feet. The way both sides presented themselves and then proceeded to treat my family was absolutely despicable. I wouldn’t let either of you get close to my dog..and I hate my dog. My son died, no thanks to either side. You all should be sued for your neglience in allowing your egos to drive your behavior rather than focus on the good of the patient. Perhaps you should focus on coming together for the good of the citizen rather than making sure you can demonstrate which side has the bigger gonads.

By: Mike Murphy, Pontificus Maximus

Mike Murphy, Pontificus Maximus — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:30:42 +0000

“I may disagree with everything you say Sir, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”.

I dare say that this blog and democracy itself suffers when those concerned enough about their community are damned for voicing their opinions (however disguised or presented).

I’ll take fire and gasoline over white bread and 2% any day!

But what the @#$% do I know.

By: Mike Lockman

Mike Lockman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:29:20 +0000

Dear Gordon

Was my sarcastic attempt at poking fun at Nemo’s spelling and grammatical errors upsetting you so much that you felt compelled to wake up at 3am and one-up me? I knew that someone anal enough would find the time to pick my submission apart and find my grammatical errors. The amusing part is when someone responds. How long did you study my note to find my “syntax” errors?
You miss the whole point of my intent. Nemo got on the thread to bash one of my brothers and spew his thoughts and beliefs as truth. Instead of firing back and slinging mud, I decided to poke fun at his spelling. Dig? (this is a poke at your note, hehe!)
Whether or not an editor proofreads our notes before posting them, I believe it is our own personal responsibility to think about what we choose to say on these forums and stick to the facts. That is why I chose to take the safe route and poke fun at something petty (ie. someone’s spelling errors) rather than spread hate and discontent like certain anti-fire individuals.
You, Gordon, should be asleep at 3 am.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:21:05 +0000

Let the games begin! Wow. I haven’t been on the post for a while but I see things haven’t changed much. I would like to congratulate Dennis and wish him the best of luck. Being on top is a hard place to get to and a harder to place to want to stay at times. I personally believe Dennis is a smart guy and will do the right thing for the right reasons and he is accountable to the City Council. I remember sitting on a street corner parking lot when Dennis was a “Fire Captain” and he happened to pull in with the crew from 21. He graciously offered us a place to stay for the day so we didn’t have to live in the rig for 12 hours. It was genuine and it has not been forgotten.

As for Dennis’ quals, he is well versed in the operations of the Fire Dept having been a Capt for many years, he is politically connected and understands that process, which should give him an advantage having a broad perspective on many issues and concerns from both ends of the spectrum. As well he was a union president which gives him still more insight into the labor process. In my view it was a good decision and the right choice. I remember feeling the same way when the Ada County Comissioners chose Troy to run ACP because it was someone I was familiar with and also someone I trusted as an employee.

If the BFD guys are happy with it and the City council / mayor is happy with it then that’s all that really matters. Besides, I’m sure Dennis has more important things on his plate right now then figuring out how he can start picking fights with EMS.

Best of luck to you Dennis.

By: Mike Murphy, Bull Moose tenor

Mike Murphy, Bull Moose tenor — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:39:07 +0000

The “Battle-of-the-Badges” didn’t originate, nor will they end, in Boise.

Hell… Ground Zero was still smoking when the NYPD and NYFD starting throwing Hay-Makers at each other again.

Turf Wars, Baby!

By: MK

MK — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:21:02 +0000

Wow, Nemo,”…first punch at the beer garden”. Nothing will change as long as you have discord in your heart. As for being collaborative, the BFD under Renn Ross bent over backwards to accomadate ACEMS. Placing ambulances in fire stations at little or no cost to the county, what do you call that? Being collaborative is a two way street. Not just ACEMS’s way. You are getting your nose bent out of joint for what? 95+% of Boise Firefighters try very hard to get along with ACEMS. You feel threatened because BFD starts to hire Paramedics to improve service delivery to the citizens of Boise. You shouldn’t be, you should accept change and work for the betterment of the people of Boise. Instead, you are bashing a new chief before his first day on the job. I believe that Chief Doan will have the support of the Mayor,(very important for a department head),the council (he has to be approved by a majority of the members first,equally important)and most important of all the backing of the members of the Fire Department. Without that he is just a guy in an office downtown. Now why don’t you be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem?

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:28:12 +0000

Nemo, you are starting to sound like my first wife! In fact, you are starting to sound like EVERYONES first wife. Is your life so tenuous that you are compelled to bring up Ancient History to make a point?
It is obvious that the new chief has one tough row to hoe just with the fact that he was promoted over so many senior officers. Now add to the mix that he was heavily involved in Bieter’s campaign, I am not so sure Bieter has done this guy any favors. I agree with Bull Moose, (Good Lord, I never thought I would say that) give the guy an opportunity to succeed. He has a heavy enough millstone that Bieter has hung on him from the start.