I am not a fire fighting expert. But I do have a half decent education, and I am able to read basic statistics.

According all the information I can find, the San Diego fire department was extremely understaffed compared to other major fire departments that it compares to in the nation:

The department's personnel includes 880 uniformed firefighters, making the ratio of firefighters per capita 0.69 per 1,000, or one to 1,469 residents. It should be noted that the ratio does not include transient population such as tourists or those who work but do not live within the city limits. To compare, San Francisco has one fire fighter per 421 residents, Phoenix has one firefighter per 997 residents, the city of Los Angeles has one firefighter per 1,126 residents.

(Please forgive me for not responding right away - I have to be out this afternoon, but I wanted to do this before I changed my mind again.)

My husband was a NYC Firefighter who cleaned up at the WTC. In October 2001, after about 16 hours down there, he got sick. The fire department jerked him around for another 1 and 1/2 years before they let him out on disability.

After listening to him cough uncontrollably for 10 minutes this morning (who knows what gets his cough started? It could be the weather, a drop in humidity, the fireplace of the neighbor, some dust, he is very sensitive to many things now) I decided that I had enough. I remember clear as day Christine Todd Whitman down at the WTC site, saying the air was fine, just fine, and I need to find that video. I have tried to locate it, but can't. So if any of you are inclined to help me, I would need two things:

Now, don't get me wrong our new Congress seems to have a natural understanding of this idea but it is time to erase the word politician and call them what they are. Public Servants.

Dissect this with me please over the flip...

I have compiled this reference material in preparation for a series of blog entries about the Owosso Fire Department and the Owosso Department of Public Safety.  I am seeking comment, corrections, etc.  I am interested in both sides of this story, but the City of Owosso always gets the last word in the media and at the council meetings.  I am trying to give the firefighters a greater voice.  As such, I would especially like to hear from anyone who is a firefighter, or who shares the concerns of the Owosso firefighters.

While I admit that I have a soft spot for labor, the City's actions just do not make sense to me.  In matters of fire safety, does one believe 18 men who are trained to be firefighters, or 1 man who is trained to be a police officer?

Summary: Dispute between the Owosso firefighters and the City of Owosso over the way the Fire Department is organized and managed.