A Hornet's Nest

Fire Department's Dirty Laundry

I would like to start out by saying that I have been with the Knoxville Fire Department for almost four years. My rank is Senior. Therefore, I don't think that this qualifies me as one of the "good ol' boys" or the "old guard". I am still too new for that. I have learned several valuable things in these four years though. I have learned that the majority of the men and women of this department are honest, hard working people who will go into a burning building for someone they don't know and risk their life saving them. These same people will work their hardest giving the best EMS to those who are sick or been injured. The same people who will get up several times in the middle of the night to answer false alarms or just help grandma or grandpa get back in bed (it is nights like these that I would like to call some members of city council and the mayor and wake them up out of a sound sleep to let them know we are working). And I know what many people say to this, "it's our job". YES IT IS and the guys I work with and I love it! Unfortunately, this is not the message in the media. And before I go any further, let me say this. It is not my job to speak on behalf of the department like Captain Russell did. My thoughts and opinions are mine and I am not going to pretend to represent the department with comments that are positive or negative. So in saying that, I would like to share some of my thoughts. I feel that we look really bad right now in the public's eyes. Many people are writing that we are acting like children and being crybabies and that we are trying to stir a hornet's nest. This may be true. However, if done correctly, I believe that I have that right afforded too me. For example, morale does not seem to me to be the greatest in our department. One of the statements Chief Perez made in the paper about firefighters just "taking naps and watching tv" was a bothersome statement for me. As a matter of fact, in our last chief's advisory meeting, I brought this up and Chief Perez stated that he was "misquoted" in the paper. Fine, I will buy that. However, as the head and leader of this department, a public apology or interdepartmental email/fax should have been sent out that explained the misquoting. Anyway, on to the juicy stuff. And mind you, I am speaking on what I feel and see. My opinion represents myself.
It is no secret that there are people who like and dislike Chief Perez. As the news reported, our budget is not in the best shape either. Station 3 is not closing, but it is going to be a rescue hall. And on this topic, when Engine 3 and Ladder 3 are in the hall, they are only going to repond on calls in their immediate territory unless one or both of the trucks are called out as a safety company for a fire or pulled out on a second or third alarm. When a rescue company occupies station 3, they will be called out on car wrecks and fires that could be as far as straw plains. Thus the answer to the comments about seeing empty bays more often. Anyway, on to more rumors. It is no secret that there are people in this department who just like to stir trouble, those who are the biggest suck ups I have ever seen, and those who only care about their personnal gain. I would like to believe that I don't fall in to any of these categories. There are those who will complain about our firefighters union but will never go to a single meeting. There are those who will complain about the department but once again, will not get involved in fixing anything in a positive manner. And then there are my favorites. Those who will complain, gripe, write letters and make statements but refer to remain anonymous. If you are going to bitch, be a real man/woman and step up. Get involved if you are going to. And please, don't make statements representing what you think I feel or believe unless it has been voted on and represented by my union! Anyway, another issue that has been covered up was a witch hunt that occurred at Heaquarters. Several months ago, we had a wife of a firefighter that was so concerned about my safety, she called than union president Mike Brown to report that there may be explosives in an unassigned A shift locker (13A). As a result, a bomb dog was brought in and an EOD team with it. Guess what, nothing was found but some fireworks (sad to say that they were mine and I was reprimanded). Now, lockers were searched that the bomb dog didn't hit on and all of us on duty felt a little violated and upset that it wasn't handled inhouse. Granted, the lockers are the property of the city and can be searched at any time. This is not the issue though. After the smoke cleared (no pun intended), many of us wanted to know who the low life was that made such a ridiculous call. Still waiting for that answer. My problem is if for example, I don't like someone at station 9, it is now obvious that I can make a call and say that someone has something in their locker or car and get it searched and not get in trouble because I am "so concerned for others safety". Bullcrap. It is my opinion, and I told Chief Perez in person, that I feel that is was a witch hunt and I still feel that way. On to a different subject. I find it laughable when people say they are trying to take the politics out of the department. Now lets be honest, is there any job in the United States that doesn't have politics in it? It is hear to stay. And for that matter, if politics are so bad, why do council members show up at the firehalls bringing goodies trying to garner our support. Why did we walk the streets with the mayor and put signs out for him and have fundraisers. Not because we didn't have anything better to do. It was because I believe in the system and I felt that Mayor Haslam was the best candidate. So for my own hard work I ask this, Mr. Mayor, please listen to our Firefighter's Union when they meet with you. Listen to those who have helped you in the past from this department when they speak to you. Please put pride aside and realize that we are not all bad and that most of us are good people. But there is a problem, and it needs delt with immediately. Just because you and members of city council that we supported are in office now, it doesn't mean that you can't stop by the firehalls and get the feelings and opinions of us all. I apologize for dragging on. So I will wrap it up with this. I believe that we are one of the best and most aggressive departments around. We are taking a black eye in the media right now and I find this very sad. Our firefighters and our community are too good for this. But the taxpayers of this city need to know the truth and right now, there are too many sides of the story being played out. Chief Perez has done some good things for this department. However, there are things that I and others feel are not so good. Honesty, integrity, and loyalty are what makes a great leader. Not a gold badge. So in saying that I give this challenge, Chief Perez, if there are things that the union and members of this department feel are wrong or are not in the best interest, listen to us or at least hear us out. As for the citizens of Knoxville, and that includes you Councilwoman Pelot, make no mistake, if you are hurt or you house is on fire, our differences will be put aside and this department will do anything to protect and save your property or life.

Thanks,
Justin Goehring
City of Knoxville Fire Department

I am the wife of a KFD fireman and in my opinion, Chief Perez has made a few positive changes in the department, but hurts morale by speaking positively (with a condecsending undertone) about the firefighters in the public eye while minimizing the years of knowledge and experience of the many professionals that he leads. A good leader takes the time to listen to those that he leads and benefits from that knowledge.

Chief Perez has stated that if the firefighters have to work second jobs that it is because they are living above their means. I was personally frustrated by that comment because I watch my husband work the job that he very much loves and is dedicated to while getting up and leaving the firehall to go to a second job, not because he is living above his means, but because he is taking care of and providing for his family. This family that he is providing for also includes a child with a disability. It would behoove Chief Perez to be careful before making sweeping judgements about his firefighters and their families. This is a situation, I am sure, that many of the firefighter families are dealing with, but with different circumstances, of course. These firefighters and their families are not just seperate employees. They become very close to each other, as well as become a support system in times of need.

That is something else that Chief Perez, again in my opinion, is trying to extinguish, the commrodery and sense of family that is felt throughout the stations. I am not a firefighter, but it seems to me that the commrodery and trust that you gain from being with a group of individuals day end and day out only serves to benefit that team when they are faced with a fire scene or a medical situation. They can pull from one anothers strengths and knowledge. As the wife of a firefighter, I personally sleep better at night knowing that my husband is with a group of individuals that he has that trust with. While I understand that there are always changing faces and people moving, there is no reason to move and change for the sake of not wanting them to build that bond.

That is the wonderful thing about the men and women of KFD, they are truly dedicated to their job, this city and their community. Even in the face of the recent contraversies surrounding KFD, the firefighters will always lay aside issues and become a team to protect and serve this community. The bottom line is that regardless of disagreements, accusations and arguments these men and women of KFD do lay down their lives everday and deserve the respect that they are due!

Thank you,
Tara Mallory