Cant argue with that mate,we,the rank and file,know its bollocks but its not the rank and file unfortunately who are in control of press releases. It makes us cringe sometimes whats reported by our PR dept. As i said,the rank and file in all the services have a mutual respect and all work well together when the shit hits.
It's very sad that services such as the Fire Brigade are deemed as needing a PR department at all.
Kind of- yes. But that's not my sole reason for not being a fan.
My sister is a paramedic and my brother in law is a Met police officer. Firemen earn a hell of a lot more and work a hell of a lot less hours yet still find time to go on strike regularly. Most have a 2nd income too as their hours permit it.
Paramedics and Police are not fans either
Really?? Sorry to go totally off topic but i am a serving London firefighter,my station is the one that was 1st attendance today and i find it quite incredulous that people make statements as above. How the hell do you know how much i earn in comparison to a PC or paramedic? And find time to "regularly" go on strike? I have been in the job for 20 years and went out in the national strike of 2002 and again for 1 day,against my wishes,2 years ago. Hardly a regular occurrance. As for a 2nd income,i do a couple of days a week,some do more,some dont do any. The firm i work for also employ serving PCs so i think that argument falls down? One of my good mates is a serving paramedic with 23 years experience and he said hes never encountered any of his collegues who have a dislike of firefighters and in my considerable time in the job i have found nothing but a great mutual respect between the services. I have had the misfortune to be involved in lots of major incidents in my time such as the Lakanal House fire 4 years ago where i was 3 feet away from getting to the 2 mums and their children who died but i ran out of air and was beaten back by the fierce fire,the Soho pub bomb,carrying bodies and body parts from Russell Square tube after the 7/7 bombings etc etc. People under tube trains,suicides,people decapitated in car crashes,carrying the dead bodies of a 2 year old and 5 year old from a drug den that was set alight right at the beginning of my career. I could go on because i remember each and every one of their faces,believe me. If any of the above is a reason for contempt then i apologise. Rant over.
RIP the two people tragically killed today and thoughts with the injured and a big well done to all the services today,especially the lads on the White Watch at my station,at least 1 person is alive tonight because of their actions.
Excellent post. My dad was a fireman for 22 years back in the day and he tells me all sorts of stories.
Anyway, as said above, RIP to the two people that died in a tragic accident.
Very proud of our fire service and it's brave men and women the only career path I wished I had took in all honesty never done what I should have when I left school
For whatever the reason Swisdom has for his feelings are obviously personal to him
Normally a very balanced poster and has the right to his opinion
Although in this case I don't agree but it could be something terrible
Great answer from our serving fireman
Well done to you and thank you for serving us so dilligantly and honourably Your bravery is one that can not be denied
I am sorry the sights and sounds , smells haunt you still
Rip those that died today I am sure that not 1 single event will have caused today but a whole catalog of issues that resulted in this accident
As a part-time fire-fighter I have a proper job and the fire service is my football etc fund.
What is this proper job ?
The proper job comment was slightly sarcastic, but I run a very small retail firm set up by my Dad. The fire service is not my main job and I am heavily taxed for doing it, but it pays for family holidays and season tickets etc
Fair play redvalleyeast, there are so many on here who are ex or serving emergency services, rarely is it highlighted by those who do work in the services, yet when someone comes on here with a stupid statement about them its all based on their next door neighbours sister in law. Rise above it and treat it with the contempt it deserves and thanks for all you do
Matt Wood was a friend of mine. Just heard the news that he is the pedestrian victim. Can't believe it! He was a really nice bloke. So sad. R.I.P. big fella!
A pilot who was killed after his helicopter crashed into a crane in central London had been advised not to embark on the journey because of poor visibility.
Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries when the aircraft clipped the high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf, Vauxhall, south London, last week as he was on his way to pick up a client for a commercial flight. Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, was also killed as he walked to work.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed the client had suggested to the pilot that he should postpone the journey because of poor visibility.
The report said: "At 0718hrs, the client called the pilot to discuss the weather. The pilot said he thought the weather might clear earlier than forecast. The client said he would drive to Elstree and call the pilot to keep him advised.
"At 0731hrs, having noticed how poor the weather was during his journey, the client called the pilot to suggest that he did not take off until he (the client) had reached Elstree and observed the weather. The pilot replied that he was already starting the engines. The client stated that he repeated his suggestion that the pilot should not take off."
Another pilot, who was aware of the journey planned by Mr Barnes, sent him a message which read: "Give me a call as I have checked weather and freezing fog around at the moment."
The report included details of a radio conversation between the pilot and air traffic control which ended seven seconds before the crash. Mr Barnes requested to land at London Heliport in Battersea. He asked: "Is Battersea open, do you know?" After being told the heliport was open, he replied: "If I could head to Battersea that would be very useful."
Just 15 seconds before hitting the crane, air traffic control told the pilot: "Battersea diversion approved, you're cleared to Battersea." His final words were: "Thanks a lot."
The aircraft had taken off from Redhill, Surrey, and was travelling to collect the client from Elstree, Hertfordshire, on January 16 to take him and another passenger to the North of England.
Mr Barnes, a father of two from Berkshire, had 25 years' flying experience. He had flown as an air ambulance pilot and in several films during his career including Oscar-winning Saving Private Ryan and Tomb Raider II. Pedestrian Mr Wood, from Sutton, Surrey, died from severe burns and a leg injury.
Comments
Anyway, as said above, RIP to the two people that died in a tragic accident.
For whatever the reason Swisdom has for his feelings are obviously personal to him
Normally a very balanced poster and has the right to his opinion
Although in this case I don't agree but it could be something terrible
Great answer from our serving fireman
Well done to you and thank you for serving us so dilligantly and honourably
Your bravery is one that can not be denied
I am sorry the sights and sounds , smells haunt you still
Rip those that died today I am sure that not 1 single event will have caused today but a whole catalog of issues that resulted in this accident
Said news for you and your old colleagues
Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries when the aircraft clipped the high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf, Vauxhall, south London, last week as he was on his way to pick up a client for a commercial flight. Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, was also killed as he walked to work.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed the client had suggested to the pilot that he should postpone the journey because of poor visibility.
The report said: "At 0718hrs, the client called the pilot to discuss the weather. The pilot said he thought the weather might clear earlier than forecast. The client said he would drive to Elstree and call the pilot to keep him advised.
"At 0731hrs, having noticed how poor the weather was during his journey, the client called the pilot to suggest that he did not take off until he (the client) had reached Elstree and observed the weather. The pilot replied that he was already starting the engines. The client stated that he repeated his suggestion that the pilot should not take off."
Another pilot, who was aware of the journey planned by Mr Barnes, sent him a message which read: "Give me a call as I have checked weather and freezing fog around at the moment."
The report included details of a radio conversation between the pilot and air traffic control which ended seven seconds before the crash. Mr Barnes requested to land at London Heliport in Battersea. He asked: "Is Battersea open, do you know?" After being told the heliport was open, he replied: "If I could head to Battersea that would be very useful."
Just 15 seconds before hitting the crane, air traffic control told the pilot: "Battersea diversion approved, you're cleared to Battersea." His final words were: "Thanks a lot."
The aircraft had taken off from Redhill, Surrey, and was travelling to collect the client from Elstree, Hertfordshire, on January 16 to take him and another passenger to the North of England.
Mr Barnes, a father of two from Berkshire, had 25 years' flying experience. He had flown as an air ambulance pilot and in several films during his career including Oscar-winning Saving Private Ryan and Tomb Raider II. Pedestrian Mr Wood, from Sutton, Surrey, died from severe burns and a leg injury.