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I wondered about that too, Eastside. I think I'll search for more stories about this and see if I can get more details.

Volunteer responders do have a reputation for sometimes being Barney Fife types. Probably this is mostly a stereotype, but stereotypes are usually born out of a degree of truth.

When I lived in a small community in Lauderdale county, the running joke among the VFD guys that the injured party was a good looking woman, they'd cut her shirt off, even if she had a broken leg. They said these things and laughed. And the talked about specific runs they'd been on. There was one overweight lady who was sick a lot and they said awful things about her because they didn't like picking her up and taking her to the hospital.

I am not aware of.....well, I'm at a loss to figure out the least inflammatory word...professional full time municipally employed career firemen and paramedics talking about the details of their work in this way.

I can remember worrying that I might get into an accident in my town and those guys might have to come and try to help me. I knew they'd talk about me later.

That ought not to be.

And it just goes without saying that it's not ok to make a video of a wreck victim that way.

Ronnie...he used his cell phone camera, and later showed it to people at a bar.
quote:
Originally posted by HomesickGirl:
I wondered about that too, Eastside. I think I'll search for more stories about this and see if I can get more details.

Volunteer responders do have a reputation for sometimes being Barney Fife types. Probably this is mostly a stereotype, but stereotypes are usually born out of a degree of truth.

When I lived in a small community in Lauderdale county, the running joke among the VFD guys that the injured party was a good looking woman, they'd cut her shirt off, even if she had a broken leg. They said these things and laughed. And the talked about specific runs they'd been on. There was one overweight lady who was sick a lot and they said awful things about her because they didn't like picking her up and taking her to the hospital.

I am not aware of.....well, I'm at a loss to figure out the least inflammatory word...professional full time municipally employed career firemen and paramedics talking about the details of their work in this way.

I can remember worrying that I might get into an accident in my town and those guys might have to come and try to help me. I knew they'd talk about me later.

That ought not to be.

And it just goes without saying that it's not ok to make a video of a wreck victim that way.

Ronnie...he used his cell phone camera, and later showed it to people at a bar.


The articles all say 'unknown first responder'.
I know many volunteers that would never even consider doing something like this, but I have also had many encounters with a select few who I wouldn't put it past. I hate it for her family most of all though to know that someone who responded was cold and callous enough to do something like this. If it were a professional paid firefighter then he should be hung out to dry by his department and receive no benefits or anything after his termination. I remember one guy several years ago took a call to a car in flames and his comment on the radio was "ok boys let's rock and roll". When the families heard this (they monitored radio etc) they were so offended. He was called on the carpet for it and had the guts to be offended when they got on to him. He grew up so to speak after a few years but I don't think they let him near a radio for a long time. My prayers are with this family though as they struggle through losing their daughter and learning the bad side of people.
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
I know many volunteers that would never even consider doing something like this, but I have also had many encounters with a select few who I wouldn't put it past. I hate it for her family most of all though to know that someone who responded was cold and callous enough to do something like this. If it were a professional paid firefighter then he should be hung out to dry by his department and receive no benefits or anything after his termination. I remember one guy several years ago took a call to a car in flames and his comment on the radio was "ok boys let's rock and roll". When the families heard this (they monitored radio etc) they were so offended. He was called on the carpet for it and had the guts to be offended when they got on to him. He grew up so to speak after a few years but I don't think they let him near a radio for a long time. My prayers are with this family though as they struggle through losing their daughter and learning the bad side of people.


Eastside..I can see why the family was offended by that. I have heard my friends who were volunteer firemen say, "I wish something would catch fire." When the structure next door to us did catch fire and our house was threatened, those same guys showed up and I could not help but think that they were glad to have something 'fun' to do.

I know that there are volunteers who serve out of pure motives, but I have encountered many who were out for some excitement. And they were also the kind of people who wanted to be 'in on' things. You know, the people behind the barricade...the first people to the gruesome event.

I wonder if professional full time paid firefighters (I'm still so afraid of using the wrong words here!) have any classes on etiquette regarding how to deal with people, and how much to talk about what they see and do.
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
I know many volunteers that would never even consider doing something like this, but I have also had many encounters with a select few who I wouldn't put it past. I hate it for her family most of all though to know that someone who responded was cold and callous enough to do something like this. If it were a professional paid firefighter then he should be hung out to dry by his department and receive no benefits or anything after his termination. I remember one guy several years ago took a call to a car in flames and his comment on the radio was "ok boys let's rock and roll". When the families heard this (they monitored radio etc) they were so offended. He was called on the carpet for it and had the guts to be offended when they got on to him. He grew up so to speak after a few years but I don't think they let him near a radio for a long time. My prayers are with this family though as they struggle through losing their daughter and learning the bad side of people.


Eastside..I meant to ask...was someone in the burning car?
quote:
Originally posted by AtticFeline:
The girl was dead already. She was dead when they got to her. Fatal and immediate head trauma. Still, this is absolutely sickening and there is no excuse for it.


Yes, the coroner said she was dead and nothing could have been done for her. What I don't understand is the mentality that says, "Wow, this is horrific. Someone is dead and horribly mangled. What should I do? I know! I'll video it and show it to my buddies!"

A professional first responder..police, fire, ambulance...would put feelings and responses aside until the job was finished. Whether this person was employed as a firefighter, or a volunteer, he did not behave honorably or professionally.
quote:
Originally posted by HomesickGirl:
quote:
Originally posted by AtticFeline:
The girl was dead already. She was dead when they got to her. Fatal and immediate head trauma. Still, this is absolutely sickening and there is no excuse for it.


Yes, the coroner said she was dead and nothing could have been done for her. What I don't understand is the mentality that says, "Wow, this is horrific. Someone is dead and horribly mangled. What should I do? I know! I'll video it and show it to my buddies!"

A professional first responder..police, fire, ambulance...would put feelings and reactions aside until the job was finished. Whether this person was employed as a firefighter, or a volunteer, he did not behave honorably or professionally.
quote:
Originally posted by HomesickGirl:
You know, the people behind the barricade...the first people to the gruesome event.


I can tell you, the first 'gruesome' event will seperate the men from the boys.

Volunteers are professionals, I dont care what some people say here. My wifes uncle, a Volunteer Fire Chief, responded to his own sons car accident a couple years back. Him, his wife (a first responder), my father in law (assistant Chief), and numerous other cousins that are in the department watched as his son burnt to death trapped in the vehicle while waiting on the pumper to arrive.

Most anyone else, including myself, would have hung it up after that. They all still respond to EVERY CALL that goes out.

I challenge anyone here to stand eye to eye with any of them and call them anything other than professionals.
There was no use in this other than the scum who took the video trying to profit from it. During the years I was in the FD, we came across many deaths and accidents. It is hard enough for the family to deal with the loss of someone. They did not need this kind of crap to remind them of the last seconds of their daughter's life. I feel for this family and wish I could apologize for this. If I was the chief of this department, that person would be relieved of his duty.
From my professional experiences, I find there a place for photos/video of accident scenes, especially if there is to be civil and/or criminal ligation. I have found in the past that a lot of the photos/video that I see cannot be used not because of the images they portray, but because of the source, especially comments made on the videos and the mentality of the person taking the photo/video.

Video tends to capture not only the comments made by the person shooting the video, but more so from the people who are unaware that a video is being taken.

Prior to the mobile technology of today, many of the images such as described would seldom have ever been done. I have also learned that many such images are taken, so that the person taking the photo/video can get the credit for the image by seeing their name published by the local media both print and TV.
I am proud to say that I live in Greenhill. Our family moved her BECAUSE of the volunteers. Our daughter has several life threatening medical issues. I can promise you that even at 2 AM if I need Ronnie, Tim, Ed, Ginger or any of the volunteers they would be there. I know this for a fact. Our daughter has been air lifted from out front door with as much love and concern as if it was their own child.

You CAN NOT judge all volunteers by one idiot! Move to Greenhill I know that you will be safe!

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