Lexington firefighters get Sept. 11 as holiday

Firefighters are hard working people who earn their money and deserve our admiration for all that they do but do we want to start giving them extra holidays? This observance of September 11th is apparently unique. Even New York police and firefighters don't get 9/11 for a paid holiday. Wouldn't EMT’s and police officers be equally deserving of this extra day off? The intentions behind this move are good but I think this sets a troublesome precedent due to the inevitable me-too syndrome.

I find the following bit troubling: "The idea grew out of discussions among firefighters at conventions across the country, Blankenship said. He said the holiday will gain support as more cities and safety agencies learn of it." Will Louisville be next? There are no free lunches. Paid time off comes at the expense of taxpayers.

Cheese, I agree with ya. I’m sick and tired of every firefighter in the entire country trying to make us believe they deserve the same recognition and respect the brave firefighters of the NYFD earned that day at Ground Zero. I didn’t see jets flying into Rupp Arena on that fateful day; they didn’t fly into the Humana building or the Bullitt County Court House either. Firefighters in general are hard workers in a dangerous job; however, this is much too much. They are paid well for the job they do and have a lot of down time. The extra holiday isn’t warranted. If they don’t like it they can always quit.

quote:

Originally posted by The Dream:
Cheese, I agree with ya. I’m sick and tired of every firefighter in the entire country trying to make us believe they deserve the same recognition and respect the brave firefighters of the NYFD earned that day at Ground Zero. I didn’t see jets flying into Rupp Arena on that fateful day; they didn’t fly into the Humana building or the Bullitt County Court House either. Firefighters in general are hard workers in a dangerous job; however, this is much too much. They are paid well for the job they do and have a lot of down time. The extra holiday isn’t warranted. If they don’t like it they can always quit.

The firefighters I have talked to make $25,000-$30,000 a year. That doesn't seem like good money to me for what they have to do.

We are talking about two different things here. So do you agree with me on firefighters or not? I haven't seen police in anywhere in this country moaning about their jobs as they relate to the events of 9-11. They don't act as though they had some kind of special bondage with the police officers who died at Ground Zero on 9-11. Cakes, that is what they'll tell you their base pay is. However, when you add in the overtime I'll bet the average Louisville firefighter makes over $50,000.

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quote:

Originally posted by The Dream:
We are talking about two different things here. So do you agree with me on firefighters or not? I haven't seen police in anywhere in this country moaning about their jobs as they relate to the events of 9-11. They don't act as though they had some kind of special bondage with the police officers who died at Ground Zero on 9-11. Cakes, that is what they'll tell you their base pay is. However, when you add in the overtime I'll bet the average Louisville firefighter makes over $50,000.

Well we gotta have someone to put the bad guys/girls away. We gotta have someone put out fires and try to save what they can of ours. We gotta have someone get us to the hospitals before we die and try to keep us alive so we aren't a DOA,.... So those people should make the most money,but don't so they should gripe,stomp their feet,complain,...... JMO As far as what they really make isn't really an issue here to me, it's what they have to do and that's alot ,and it's dangerous.