Well, not EVERYONE loves firefighters apparently...

[jmur5074]

The Las Vegas Fire Department chief is urging his firefighters to avoid spending time at the gym during work hours and not to "abuse sick leave" as his department battles poor public perception during its stand to avoid pay cuts and layoffs.
The chief's Feb. 10 e-mail to all staff, obtained by the Review-Journal through a public records request, sheds light on the department's struggles to win over the public and bureaucrats.
"Spending 2-3 hours a day at the gym like some crews do is just the kind of actions that tear us down," Fire Chief Greg Gammon wrote.
The image of firetrucks sitting in gym parking lots for hours is one of the biggest complaints Gammon has heard from the public, he said last week.
"There's a perception that's out there that they're at the gym more than they should, and all I can do is remind them ... just be mindful of the public perception right now," he said.
Among local agencies, the Las Vegas and Clark County fire departments have fought the hardest to avoid pay cuts. Las Vegas officials have proposed an 8 percent wage rollback in each of the next two years to avoid layoffs. The Fire Department is still negotiating with the city.
On average, Las Vegas Fire Department firefighters grossed about $110,000 last year. Of the department's $117.1 million budget, $98.3 million went toward 559 firefighters' wages and benefits.
The union that represents the department's firefighters has said that reductions will have damaging effects on the community, such as increasing emergency response times. It has set up a Web site, lasvegasfirefacts.com , where it says in bold letters, "STOP The City From Putting Your Life And Property In DANGER!"


More at the link
Vegas Chief Tells Crews Limit On-Duty Gym Time | Firehouse.com

[Five-0]

Am I alone to say that all first responders should get an hour of gym time for the positives it gives the public that they serve?

[Cidp24]

Am I alone to say that all first responders should get an hour of gym time for the positives it gives the public that they serve?

Nope. I feel the same way. I have always thought that we should get paid for some gym time. Our FD has weight rooms at all stations and they require an hour of fitness training per shift.

[Five-0]

Not to mention most state prisoners are working out on the public dime. Just some food for though.

[Jenna]

Am I alone to say that all first responders should get an hour of gym time for the positives it gives the public that they serve?

In addition to enabling the first responders to save more lives, that could actually save the public money in the long run, by reducing healthcare and disability costs.

[jmur5074]

Am I alone to say that all first responders should get an hour of gym time for the positives it gives the public that they serve?

I completely agree with you.

In regards to the article though, it sounds like the public perception is that the firefighters are "abusing" their time at the gym, and spending a disproportionate amount of time there as opposed to their stations.

[luckyme]

We're allowed an hour per shift.

And the very nice gym on campus allows any first responder in the county to be a member for free.

[213th]

I'd rather then be working out then 300 pound fatasses who cant hump a roll of hose up a flight of stairs when they need to

[Five-0]

In addition to enabling the first responders to save more lives, that could actually save the public money in the long run, by reducing healthcare and disability costs.

Studies have proven this. We have a fitness incentive of 2%, but no sanctioned gym time. We have the gym, and I use it. However, I have worked for one department were I go four hours a week or one hour after each shift. Good stress reducer per Mr. Gilmartin:

Emotional survival for law enforcement: a guide for officers and their families [Book]

[Donut Aficionado]

So the F.D. should be sitting at the house getting fat?

Hell, I'd take a collection and make a training center at the house, but still, WTF does the public want??

Sorry Ma'am, your child died because he was not allowed to workout......for billy bobs sake......

[Shoestring]

I think people are looking for excuses to cut money

Yeah 3 hours may not look good but a good amount of the fire departments around us have weight rooms so you wouldnt even need to leave the station house.

Full time departments around hear also require you to work 8 hrs out of your 24 hr shift example: Your work shift is 8a-4p, cleaning, maintanance on trucks and station, reports, training etc. If you get a call in the 8-4, that is part of your work for the 8 hrs, if you dont get a call-you work those 8 hours, and if you get calls after the 8 hrs, you deal with them as they come in

I dont think people know that Firefighters have to do anything other than show up at the station and sit on a couch waiting for a call.

Plus when in comes to fitness, I think they should be allowed a 1-2 hours, you got to get warmed up, then work out, then cool down, then clean up/shower etc. If I need help, I want someone to show up able to do the job and not have a flippin heart attack climbing a ladder to save me or my family

[IndianaFuzz]

I get two scheduled hours of gym time per week, and can ask for a third if things are slow enough at 6am (I work 2300-0700). It is considered training, as it should be. We have our own gym in the basement of City Hall. It's basically the nicest gym in town, other than it does not have a steam room or sauna. If it had a steam room or sauna, I would totally be able to talk myself into using it on my nights off. It's too bad that FD doesn't have their own gym so it can be out of the public's eye.

We used to have a fitness incentive of an extra 2 days off if you could still pass the academy exit standards. But they've since done away with that.

[luckyme]

Had a guy tell me concerning things like this. You don't pay us for what we're doing right now, you pay us for what we might be doing in the next 5 seconds.

[tapout]

So the F.D. should be sitting at the house getting fat?

exactly...what else are they supposed to do when there are no fires to fight? im glad to see they are in the gym, staying in fighting shape. its not like they are police, and could be out actively patrollling, getting involved in self initiated incidents, and deterring crime with their presence. they are sitting around waiting for a fire call. as long as they have a radio nearby, who the fuck cares what they are doing?