404-853-4423
Station23@firehousemail.com
by Keith Schumacher
404-853-4423
Station23@firehousemail.com
Well… On Wednesday evening, I was putting the finishing touches on my June Berkeley Park Bulletin article. It was a lighthearted view into the activities of the crews of “The 2-3’s” over the past month.
I wanted… to take the time to thank Mr. Sunderland and those who were willing to donate a lawn mower to the station since the City will not provide us with one.
I wanted… to take the time to recognize our new rookie, Seth Goodson on the C-Shift who comes to us from the Niles, Michigan Fire Department.
I wanted… to take the time to recognize all of our neighbors who are working to make Berkeley Park so beautiful by tending to such colorful gardens.
I wanted… to seek some support for installing a traffic light at the station to try to reduce the number of times that my crew and I get swerved at and nearly killed on Howell Mill Road.
I wanted… to let you know that hydrant season is over and that there are very few hydrants out of service this year.
I wanted… to tell you how hopeful we are that, maybe with the 2005 City Budget Surplus, we could possibly, finally see the parity that we have been fighting so hard to gain. For the past six years, our marches, hard work, money out of our own pockets, lobbying, campaigning, positive customer service, and dedication could soon pay off with a modest amount of dignity and respect. These dreams were shattered for me with just one phone call.
While I wanted to write about the above-mentioned points, I immediately realized that I must change my article.
Mayor Franklin had presented her 2006 Mid-Year budget to the Finance-Executive Committee Meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Anger and rage were blazing through Atlanta firehouses like a devastating firestorm. The proposal is the greatest act of violence against the morale of Atlanta’s firefighters yet. It would widen the disparity gap to 7.5% by giving the cops 3.5% raise and offering Atlanta’s dedicated and devoted firefighters a big-fat goose egg!
As I look back at this weekend, I realize that I have experienced something similar to the stages of grief over this terrible news.
My first reaction was denial. Surely, she wouldn’t try to pull this again. Not after all that we have been through! Surely, she has heard the voice of the citizens who have overwhelmingly supported us. Surely, she can’t ignore the majority of City Council members who support firefighters. Surely, she can’t ignore the presence that we made in the last City Council election. We told the truth and brought two of her closest allies on City Council down to only narrow victories. (one by just 300 votes and another by only 3 votes) Surely, she wouldn’t attack us again… Surely!!! Oh, yea… for Pete’s sake… DON’T CALL ME, SHIRLEY!
The next grief stage is guilt. I began to ask myself if I had done enough to get out there and serve the community. Did I drop the ball of carrying the message of fair and equal compensation to the citizens of Atlanta? Could I have done more to stop this attack from happening? Did I inspect enough car seats? Did I read enough stories to children? Did I write enough articles? Did I spend enough time away from my family on my days off to attend City Council and Committee, NPU and neighborhood association meetings? Did I donate enough money for publicity on this issue and political action? Did I really do my best? Apparently not!
Then the anger came. Many of my brethren had gotten to this stage much quicker than I. There was definitely some choice words muttered throughout Atlanta firehouses. Most of which I cannot reproduce here. Personally, I was furious. It was all that I could do to keep from venting my anger toward the Mayor onto my family. It wasn’t their fault. They are the ones that the Mayor is actually hurting.
While I remain mad, I realize that writing and political action are the only constructive ways that I can vent my utter frustration over this ridiculous situation.
It is extremely depressing to know that I can work very hard and give my best to this community and find that the elected representatives of the community that I serve value my dedication at 0%.
This latest attack on our ranks has left our members demoralized and depressed. Why should we continue to fight for what is right when we will just have to fight this battle all over again next year? Why should we strive to provide quality customer service when we are only valued at 0%?
Depression leads into acceptance. We must accept that we must continue to fight for what is right. We deserve fair and equitable compensation. Remember, we are not even asking for what City Council has admitted is the market value for the positions that we hold. We are just asking for annual (not even hourly) pay parity with a group of public servants who risk their lives just as much as we do. They just have better political connections to the Mayor. Regardless of how we are treated by the politicians, we must keep our head high and strive to do our best. That’s just what firefighters do.
Finally, there is hope. Hope in the fact that we do have some friends on City Council. We are hopeful that the citizens of Atlanta will once again, as they have in the past, raise their voices in phone calls, e-mails and letters to the Mayor and City council members. Personally, I hope that you will take just a few minutes to call or e-mail your City Council representatives. Ask that they propose or support legislation that restores parity of annual salaries between Atlanta’s firefighters and police. It would not bring us up to market value as compared to other metro fire departments, but it would at least be a step in the right direction. As degrading as it is, I am once again on my knees begging you to support Atlanta’s underpaid and un-respected firefighters.
Thank you for your time and patience in reading this message.
Mayors Office 404-330-6100
City Council 404-330-6035