Robert Burkett
11-17-2008, 12:30 PM
Aaron F. Broussard
Chris L. Roberts
Elton M. Lagasse
Byron L. Lee
Louis J. Congemi
Ronald J. Maestri
John F. Young, Jr.
Thomas J. Capella
Monday November 10, 2008
Dear Jefferson Parish Council,
Alarmed by the controversy between you and the East Bank Consolidated Jefferson Parish Fire Department, my husband and I attended a special meeting tonight. Your side of the issue has been publicized for a hefty sum considering the hired PR firm, a lawyer, and the media buys. We wanted to learn the other side, firsthand, by talking with the actual firefighters who will be affected by the suspiciously-timed amendments to the 28-year-old Red Book Ordinance.
There is no place for revenge and politics when our lives and property are at stake. The laundry list of infractions and unprofessional behavior on the part of Mr. Bonano and Mr. Saunders is glaring. You have the power to put all of this to rest. Please do your job and quit hiding behind self-imposed, non-court-ordered gag orders and refusals to attend public meetings. Surely, you are astute enough to see what is going on here.
To refuse to pay for propane used in food preparation, to refuse to pay for the newspaper or the rat traps ---how petty and irresponsible! To send a class of trainees to Baton Rouge when the department has qualified personnel already salaried and capable of doing the training at our own training center does not make sense. To send our firefighters into danger with non-tested, un-serviced air packs is criminal and ranks up there with sending our military into battle without armored vests. To accuse our brave firefighters of getting paid for non-worked hours is nothing short of libel.
Firefighters’ radios are dysfunctional and their on-board computers are useless without wireless communication. We need a universal channel that is compatible across all communication systems of first responders, law officers, and firefighters. 2 major corporations (Motorola and Erikson) control all systems and the P25 compatibility touted as a solution doesn’t cut it. All companies should be regulated to have a universal open channel accessible with all systems without requiring expensive in-house equipment to replace what is already in service. 9-11 and Katrina have dramatically taught us how important immediate communication is.
Last Friday’s release online of firefighters’ social security numbers and work schedules takes the cake. Any thief or pervert can use the info to steal identities or harm the home alone families. “I’m sorry” does not cut it. These families need credit protection and more.
Please end this nasty stand-off. Leave the salary and scheduled overtime as is. And please get some qualified leaders, with years of fire department experience, to restore competence and accountability.
Sincerely,
Gilda Werner Reed, Ph.D.
Chris L. Roberts
Elton M. Lagasse
Byron L. Lee
Louis J. Congemi
Ronald J. Maestri
John F. Young, Jr.
Thomas J. Capella
Monday November 10, 2008
Dear Jefferson Parish Council,
Alarmed by the controversy between you and the East Bank Consolidated Jefferson Parish Fire Department, my husband and I attended a special meeting tonight. Your side of the issue has been publicized for a hefty sum considering the hired PR firm, a lawyer, and the media buys. We wanted to learn the other side, firsthand, by talking with the actual firefighters who will be affected by the suspiciously-timed amendments to the 28-year-old Red Book Ordinance.
There is no place for revenge and politics when our lives and property are at stake. The laundry list of infractions and unprofessional behavior on the part of Mr. Bonano and Mr. Saunders is glaring. You have the power to put all of this to rest. Please do your job and quit hiding behind self-imposed, non-court-ordered gag orders and refusals to attend public meetings. Surely, you are astute enough to see what is going on here.
To refuse to pay for propane used in food preparation, to refuse to pay for the newspaper or the rat traps ---how petty and irresponsible! To send a class of trainees to Baton Rouge when the department has qualified personnel already salaried and capable of doing the training at our own training center does not make sense. To send our firefighters into danger with non-tested, un-serviced air packs is criminal and ranks up there with sending our military into battle without armored vests. To accuse our brave firefighters of getting paid for non-worked hours is nothing short of libel.
Firefighters’ radios are dysfunctional and their on-board computers are useless without wireless communication. We need a universal channel that is compatible across all communication systems of first responders, law officers, and firefighters. 2 major corporations (Motorola and Erikson) control all systems and the P25 compatibility touted as a solution doesn’t cut it. All companies should be regulated to have a universal open channel accessible with all systems without requiring expensive in-house equipment to replace what is already in service. 9-11 and Katrina have dramatically taught us how important immediate communication is.
Last Friday’s release online of firefighters’ social security numbers and work schedules takes the cake. Any thief or pervert can use the info to steal identities or harm the home alone families. “I’m sorry” does not cut it. These families need credit protection and more.
Please end this nasty stand-off. Leave the salary and scheduled overtime as is. And please get some qualified leaders, with years of fire department experience, to restore competence and accountability.
Sincerely,
Gilda Werner Reed, Ph.D.