I'm just gonna start this with the way it happened to me. I went and picked up my paycheck today.
I had 4 hours overtime, so I was expecting a good paycheck. I was surprised to see a less than "normal" paycheck. My 4 hours overtime in Feb of 2012 pay is $25 less than my regular pay in Dec of 2011.
Let's rewind a bit. I'm a firefighter. That's my job. On the worst day of your life, I'm expected to be on my best. You have no idea what to do to solve your particular problem, but I'm supposed to have all the answers. Fear not, I do have all the answers, that's why you call 911. That's why I answer, because I have thought of all the possible problems. If I haven't, my brothers have. You haven't thought about any of them. That's why we go through countless hours of training! I signed a blank check payable up to and including my life in 1990 to do this. I WANT to help people. To me, it's not a job, it's not what I do. It's who I am. I don't expect you to understand that, but I'm grateful that I do. I'm grateful that my brothers do. It's just who we are.
In October of 2011, the city told me and my brothers that there was no money. We signed a 3 year contract, agreeing to no pay raises and no increases of any kind. For 3 years. The City also told us that health care costs were going up, and that it would cost us more. Fair enough, we're here to do our part!
In December of 2011, the Mayor and the Auditor saw it appropriate to give themselves an $11,000 and a $10,000 raise, respectively. The auditor then had the audacity to complain that the raise would be given to her over a period of time, rather than an "all at once" raise. Both the Mayor and Auditor, are PART TIME positions in the city. PART TIME.
Saving lives is NOT a part time job. It's not a game. It's something I and my brothers take serious. VERY serious.
Back to current day, I pick up my pay. I worked 4 hours overtime, and my pay is $25 less than the normal pay I've seen for 22 years. Saving lives for the City is NOT a part time job. My "slow" week is FIFTY-SIX hours. My work weeks are 72-56-72. So, according to my employer, my government, and YOUR governer (I didn't vote for the idiot!) my 72 hours a week is no longer enough, I have to give more.
SEVENTY-TWO hours per week away from my family isn't enough. So much not enough, that I have to have a part-time job in addition, another 18-20. But today when I get my check, I realize that the 72 I put in isn't enough either, I need to do more. More than the 4 hours overtime I already put in. So, let's try 80 hours at my career, and another 20 at my part time job. Maybe that will be enough.
80 hours per week, that should do it! But the Governor is complaining about Public - Private employee equality. OK, fair enough. I walk into buildings that are on fire for a living, buildings that are owned by the private sector. I'm the voice of comfort to your wife/mother/daughter that was just in a car wreck while you were on the way to work. No worries! I got her! Your son has an asthma attack while he's at school? Got him to!
I am the comforting soul, that has heard and understood the last words countless people spoke on this earth. I've also heard people tell me that their about to die, and I told them NOT ON MY WATCH! I've been right, I've been wrong. I've taught, I've learned.
And I have done this too god damn many times.
I have brought that anguish back to my family, laid it upon them, and cried in their arms. And then started my 72 hour work week 2 hours later. And the government tells me that 76 hours aren't enough, I need to put in 80 because the private worker puts in 40?
I have NOTHING against the private sector, you all take care of my family just as I take care of yours! That's a deal I signed up for a long time ago, and I'm gonna see it through! You can take that to the bank!
To all these politicians that are in it for themselves, and making it they're personal agenda? "Forget you, and uh, forget her too!" And also to those politician, THANK YOU! You just reminded me why I do this!
It's not for the paycheck I was just complaining about. It's not for the recognition we deserve. It's not to make long coat tails for you to ride on.
It's for the weak, the unknowing. It's for the timid, the fearful. It's for those truly in need. Something a politician will never understand.
Not only is it for the one's in need, it's also for those of us who are deemed worthy of service to a fellow man. By serving others, we also serve our own need to serve. We hope our paths never cross, but if they do, you will never for get us, and we will never forget you.
We are The Warriors.
I'll be there for you tomorrow if you need me. If you DON'T need me, I'll still be there. So will my brothers!
THAT is who we are.
FTM-PTB-KTF
