I have been reading with interest the issues with the Okanagan Landing Volunteer Fire Department.
Brothers, I experienced this same issue when I was hired as a paid firefighter in 1971. At the time our department employed 28 paid firefighters and 80 volunteer firefighters (there were 120 paid firefighters and 30 volunteers when I retired 29 years later).
Of the original 28 paid firefighters, approximately 20 had been volunteers on our department. Yes, there were issues then, much the same as we see with the OLVFD today. There were those that did not want to see their volunteer association weaken with a reduction in members.
There were those that held grudges because they had been there much longer than the young newly hired paid firefighters. Officers were now stationed in their volunteer hall.
Yes, there were changes and many of the future paid firefighters came from the volunteer ranks. As time would prove, the training the volunteers received was more comprehensive.
New and exciting methods of fighting fires and new modern equipment were brought on line and all of the volunteers were included in this education.
Many of our volunteers were highly regarded and recruited by other departments for paid positions.
We often complained that we had spent the time and money to train these firefighters and then watched with pride as they went on to other departments and rose through the ranks some becoming chief officers.
The firefighters with the OLVFD should look at the present situation as progress not a reason to complain and run down other brothers in the fire service or other departments. Yes, the volunteer association may change or perhaps they will merge with the rest of the area volunteers and join their brothers in the proud tradition of volunteers. That will be a decision they will have to make.
If some of your members however carry out their threat to resign (in essence strike), this will only show that they are not really and truly dedicated to the safety of the people they protect.
It will only show they are not worthy of our praise as they are afraid of the future, insecure in their position, and selfish in that they only want to protect their own popularity or perceived importance in the community. Remember, once you draw that sword, you had better be prepared to use it and suffer the consequences of your action.
All of the hard work and risks you have gone through will be lost as you will be regarded by many as being someone who would not work with the team and someone who picked up his gear and went home sulking.
You are all better than that.
Jim Mellors
Vernon
