r/Firefighting • u/space_cowboy78 • 6d ago

General Discussion Volunteer department wishes to merge with us.

Good day all, recently a volunteer department (at least their trustees) have approached our fire board about them merging into our fire district. We are just solving our own problems with full time staffing, better pay/benefits, equipment, etc.

This department in question is WILDLY unprofessional. When we show up to their fires they won’t go interior as they will literally hand you their hose line even though they’ve been on scene for 10-15 minutes. Not to mention they have a sexual predator and several other members who protect said predator.

I feel like all of this and other unknown things should be made known to the public and/or our fire board. However I’m not comfortable with doing so due to us not being unionized. Nor do the majority of our guys want to become unionized.

To me it seems like a recipe for disaster and I want to look out for the great guys we already have. Currently I’m the most senior full time firefighter and I feel like it’s my responsibility to do what’s right but we don’t have protection from a union. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

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u/TheVelluch 6d ago

Just a question but why doesn't the majority of your department want to unionize and have a collective voice protected by federal laws? Some of your concerns would be able to be handled by a union board much better not only with the merger but also your pay/benefits.

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u/Tasty_Explanation_20 5d ago

Not everyone has swallowed the union kool-aid. I say good on them for not wanting to work hours for free every week to pay dues and line someone else’s pockets with their hard work. I will never work anywhere that forces me to join a union personally.

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u/TheVelluch 5d ago

I work in a big department and no one is forced to join. Its highly encouraged and 99% of us are in the union. I will tell you this, that "kool-aid" has sure given me a very satisfying lifestyle and way to provide for my family through pay, benefits and working conditions. If thats not what some are into, to each his own.