2 dead, 17 hurt: Next time you hear someone complain about police/firefighter salaries and pensions

[prolesunited]

Have them read this story:



Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer were among a dozen firefighters putting out a blaze in an abandoned building at daybreak today when suddenly the roof gave way.

Steven Ellerson, a 20-year veteran, and others swarmed inside to rescue them. "He heard someone calling for help and he looked for him," Ellerson's brother Maurice Matthews said.

Ellerson found Ankum on the floor, gasping."He found him and knew he was struggling to breathe so he took off his mask to give him some oxygen," Matthews said. "Corey's head was stuck somehow and they couldn't get him out. So my brother went to give him his coat but they came and got my brother out of there. My brother didn't want to leave him, but there was no choice.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/12/4-firefighters-trapped-as-brick-wall-collapses.html

[democrank]

1. Such bravery and commitment to one another

Bless them, one and all.

[prolesunited]

4. I know. It's awful.

The fire was basically out and they were doing a check for the homeless that had been seen taking shelter in the vacant building. Those killed and hurt were injured when the wall collapsed. The images of so many of them frantically digging in the rubble really touched me today.

One of those killed was the husband of Mayor Daley's personal secretary.

It's been a tough year for the city's police and fire as a number of cops have been killed as well.

I don't think we give them enough credit. When we are running from danger, they are running toward it.

[lonestarnot]

2. Here here!

K & R!

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. REST IN PEACE

ATTEN---HUT!

:patriot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM

May you know peace, and to those injured, may you fully heal from those physical injuries.

[Possumpoint]

5. Son of, Nephew of Two, and Grandson of Another

I failed the physical and couldn't serve. My wife dances in joy because it isn't me, every time she hears a story like this. These men and women run in when others run out. My hats off to each and every one.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Was a medic for ten years

did plenty of smoke eating in my youth... still hack at times, I think the Asthma is not just genes...

Trust me, your wife is right to dance a jig.

[stray cat]

6. DU just complains about police and occasionally reffers to them in mass as pigs

They do not get paid well so there is more a complaint that they exist rather than their pay

[moodforaday]

9. On the other hand, firefighters

have not been known for sadistic behavior or tazing citizens to death, have they?

The flip side, you know.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I guess I should not tell you some stories

But yes, yes some firefighters make it into departments that just like cops should have never made it in. Those ARE a minority by the way, just like cops;

[Supply Side Jesus]

20. Such nuances

fall on deaf and ignorant ears here. 156 LEO have fallen this year, who knows how many they have saved. Those who sit in judgment of all do it comfortably tucked away in the warm and safe surrounding....because people will suit up and run into danger to save them.

[TheMadMonk]

15. Fine, so anarchy it is then?

You might want to take note of that small percentage of fire fighters who set fires (and occasionally kill people in those fires), just so they can feel important when they get called to put it out.

Perverts become teachers and open kindergartens to give themselves access to children.

All professions have their bad apples.

[prolesunited]

26. I know police officers

and my son aspires to be one. For you to lump all cops together is just ignorant. My son is the most empathetic and caring person and his desire to be a cop comes from wanting to help people, not a sadistic streak or a desire to kill people. I'm sure he will not be in the minority when he makes it into a department.

I'm not saying cops never do bad things, but so do a lot of other people. All we can do is try to screen them out in the hiring process, which I've seen firsthand how rigorous it is, train them well, and discipline them forcefully if they screw up.

[blueamy66]

19. They don't get paid well?

Where do you live? Detroit?

And firefighters here in AZ work 24 on 48 off.....and they have a second job on their 48 off.

I call BS.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Nailzberg]

22. They work second jobs because the pay isn't that great.

US National average salary for a firefighter is about 44K.
Detroit MI: 43K
Chandler AZ: 40K

[prolesunited]

25. Which is OK if you are single

but start figuring in a wife and kids and the fact that you risking your life!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

28. If you circumscribe a circle on a right triangle its center will lie at the hypotenuse's half point.

[truedelphi]

8. This type of story is one of the reasons why I never complain about

The pensions and benefits our brave Firefighters receive in return their putting themselves in danger so often.

[gordianot]

10. Isn't it amazing those who promote sacrifice are unwilling to support those who make a sacrifice.

[Jamastiene]

11. You'll never hear me complain about their salaries, except

to say they do not make nearly enough for all the dangerous situations they have to face to do their jobs. It takes a different kind of person to face those kinds of dangerous situations for just anyone and they do that regularly; risk their lives for just anyone who needs help.

You won't hear me complaining except to say pay them more, for crying out loud.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Or make sure the VFD is well funded

I did it as a volunteer and I bought ALL my gear.

[rasputin1952]

14. I was a Volunteer Fireman for several years back in NY...

for one thing, Firefighters and police officers run into danger on a near constant basis...they do indeed run into situations where angels fear to tread.

On one occasion, I pulled a young girl out from under a bed in burning building and ran so fast out of there w/her wrapped in a blanket I am was actually surprised at how fast I could move. I sat and leaned up against a tree with both of sobbing and could not relinquish the child until I was sure she could breathe and was not burned...then, slowly, I handed her to her mother, I am not a hero, I was doing what I was trained to do and it turned out well.

The men that dies today need to remembered for what they sacrificed, those that were injured may find themselves with lifelong problems...I can virtually guarantee they never thought of what could happen to them as they entered that building or the rubble. They did what they were trained to do, and yes, they are underpaid and overworked in an often thankless job...but this citizen will not forget what they did, and what so many others across this nation do every day, quietly and without fanfare. These men and women are truly heroes.

:patriot:

[Contrary1]

16. My younger brother has been a fireman/paramedic for 35+ years...

He has carried children, both living and dead out of burning buildings.

He has attempted to breathe life back into countless people, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. He has pulled people out of crushed vehicles, and brought them back from the brink of death.

He fought a fire some years back that involved hazardous chemicals. Every year since, he goes through multiple tests to make sure whatever toxic material it was hasn't affected his health.

His knees are shot (due to an injury suffered during the international firefighters games),and he doesn't move nearly as fast as he could 10 years ago.

But, he would still risk his life to save a fellow human.

Whatever they earn, is not enough.

[prolesunited]

27. I agree

And your pride shows in your post. I wish for his continued safety.

[MilesColtrane]

17. I don't complain about police pensions (and certainly not firefighters), but...

I do complain when a police officer abuses his or her authority.

Even then, it's with the one word post of, "Oink".

[TheKentuckian]

18. I've begrudged a firefighter a penny of pay or pension.

Nor even a cop.

[Hannah Bell]

23. The other part of this story has to do with the economic crisis:

They wouldn't have been in the building in the first place if:

- The owners hadn't stopped paying taxes on it

- Homeless people hadn't pulled boards off it to get in & shelter in the Chicago winter

The reason it was on fire & the reason the firemen went inside in the first place was abandoned building & homeless people that might be endangered.

Poverty, unemployment, homelessness are expensive & hurt everyone.

[Corey_Baker08]

24. May These Brave Firefighters RIP-They Made the Ultimate Sacrifice;I Will Be Lowering My Flag

These are true heroes, they ran into a burning building knowing that their lives were at stake because they suspected that there may have been homeless individuals inside, to me that is courage and selfless bravery. They could have made the decision that it was too dangerous to go and if there was homeless people in there its there fault because they shouldn't have been in there in the first place and they were probably the reason the fire started would have thought some firefighters, yet these brave men and possibly women didn't care if it was a millionaire or a homeless guy in that burning building they just did their job like they were trained an unfortunately a terrible tragedy happened and several great firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty and seventeen brave firefighters were injured most seriously
because they were doing their job and that was to risk their lives to go into a burning abandoned building to clear the building of any possible humans that may or may not have been in there.

I will pray for all of their families and I think them for their service and great sacrifice in an attempt to save innocent human beings. This is a sad story from beginning to the end and it is just unfortunate that the families of the fallen's lives will forever be changed by what began as a routine call that turned out to be their last call. Just a sad situation my heart weeps for these brave Chicago firefighters as well as their families, may their hearts and souls RIP and may the families briefly mourn their losses yet may the be comforted knowing that their loved ones died doing what they loved.

I will be lowering my flag to half-mast tomorrow for my neighboring state of Illinois here in Indiana and the brave men and women who not only serve the city of Chicago Fire Dept, but also the many more Fire Dept's around this great country who have lost brave men and women in the line of duty.

What a Tragedy