Elk Creek Fire Pension Discussion, Split from Wetdown Ceremony

And here we used to all of this volunteer work for free w/o any plan of getting a pension.

There were still a large number who voted no, so don't dismiss it as everyone is in favor of the current deplorable Elk Creek FD. Hiring a new fire chief doesn't resolve the problem. They have a lot of work to do make into the remarkable FD that I volunteered at for decades.

GreatGran wrote: And here we used to all of this volunteer work for free w/o any plan of getting a pension.

There were still a large number who voted no, so don't dismiss it as everyone is in favor of the current deplorable Elk Creek FD. Hiring a new fire chief doesn't resolve the problem. They have a lot of work to do make into the remarkable FD that I volunteered at for decades.

Times change. Unfortunately, some people can't let go of hurt feelings.

GreatGran wrote: And here we used to all of this volunteer work for free w/o any plan of getting a pension.

There were still a large number who voted no, so don't dismiss it as everyone is in favor of the current deplorable Elk Creek FD. Hiring a new fire chief doesn't resolve the problem. They have a lot of work to do make into the remarkable FD that I volunteered at for decades.

If the volunteers do the time I have know problem with them getting a pension. JMO

No, some people can't let go of a deplorable FD. Were you here when it was great? I doubt it, you probably weren't born yet. Big difference from what it is and what it was.

Engineer2207 wrote:

GreatGran wrote: And here we used to all of this volunteer work for free w/o any plan of getting a pension.

There were still a large number who voted no, so don't dismiss it as everyone is in favor of the current deplorable Elk Creek FD. Hiring a new fire chief doesn't resolve the problem. They have a lot of work to do make into the remarkable FD that I volunteered at for decades.

Times change. Unfortunately, some people can't let go of hurt feelings.

GreatGran wrote: No, some people can't let go of a deplorable FD. Were you here when it was great? I doubt it, you probably weren't born yet. Big difference from what it is and what it was.

Engineer2207 wrote:

GreatGran wrote: And here we used to all of this volunteer work for free w/o any plan of getting a pension.

There were still a large number who voted no, so don't dismiss it as everyone is in favor of the current deplorable Elk Creek FD. Hiring a new fire chief doesn't resolve the problem. They have a lot of work to do make into the remarkable FD that I volunteered at for decades.

Times change. Unfortunately, some people can't let go of hurt feelings.

Deplorable? How so? Do you have facts, or just allegations? Do you feel it wrong to reward someone with a pension after serving, or are you jealous? If I were you, I would challenge the pension rules if you served for so long and so hard. You might be entitled to one, if you would only ask. I know of volunteers that served in the 1950's that didn't know they were entitled to a pension. Different place though, so maybe different rules.

The point of being called a volunteer firefighter or volunteer for the fire department is just that volunteer. Today it should read paid pension firefighters not volunteers.

GreatGran wrote: The point of being called a volunteer firefighter or volunteer for the fire department is just that volunteer. Today it should read paid pension firefighters not volunteers.

And what does that have to do with ECFD?

The firefighters are entitled to a pension after 10 years of service. They are getting something for their service. They are not volunteers. You didn't know that? Thanks for asking.

GreatGran wrote: The firefighters are entitled to a pension after 10 years of service. They are getting something for their service. They are not volunteers. You didn't know that? Thanks for asking.

Oh, your'e welcome. You still didn't answer my question, though and apparently, you don't know that either. Per Colorado State Law, volunteers are entitled to a pension after 20 years (providing the department receives matching state funds). Special districts vary within the law, and there are other rules as well and there is a maximum amount of money that the State will match (based on actuarial studies), even though a certain department can exceed that amount, should they choose to do so. So yeah, I think I understand that point. Again, my question is: What is so "deplorable" about ECFD? I would really like to hear your facts.

Thank you Engineer for the clarification. And why they shouldn't be called volunteers. They aren't. Everyone is documenting the time they have provided for their pension. If you want to cut costs get rid of the pension. It is a huge drain on resources. Be a volunteer like we were.

I am not going to elaborate on all the issues. I will give you another one that just drives me nuts. I get that the firefighters need to drive the vehicles around the community to get familiar with driving large vehicles. What is disturbing is that they are taken to the local stores, not to buy supplies for the fire district but for their own personal use and for picnics along the way. Comraderie is nice but do it on your own time instead of clocking it as time spent working on behalf of ECFD.

And get a PIO who knows how to handle himself in public.