Comments

• On the article City Explores Revenue Possibilities of Dearborn’s Ambulance Services

  

  Joey Thorington

  10:19 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  First, Troy does not provide EMS services at all. They rely on a third party, private company that relys on revenue to survive. Second, their flashy, nonspecific numbers do not specify anything about real response times or having an adequate number of firefighters/paramedics on scene in an appropriate amount of time to be truly effective. Here are two links that should answer most of your questions.

  1: http://firstrespondersnetwork.com/codestemi/videos/dearborn-michigan/

  2: http://dearbornff.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Frequently20Asked20Questions
  (#3 touches on why a fast response time is so critical) (Dearborn FD's is around 4 miuntes)

  I am very proud of the services we provide. As someone said above, we do it for more than just money. We enjoy helping others, but also need to be able to support and provide for our families so we can concentrate on helping Dearborn residents. I also agree to a statement above: you get what you pay for.
  I am sure that Troy Firefighters do a fine job for Troy, but Dearborn residents expect, deserve, and receive what they are paying for with career firefighters/paramedics who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

  Joey Thorington
  Dearborn Firefighters Union President

• On the article Police Union President: Minimum Staffing Not Only Option to Cut Costs

  Joey Thorington

  6:21 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  That's fair enough. I just want people to realize we, the Union - who is your firefighters, are not the enemy. Our top priority is, and always will be, providing public service and safety. Unfortunately, these are tough times and I realize that. I believe Dearborn firefighters provide an exceptional service and give residents the best bang-for-the-buck a tax payer can get. The millage proposal passing this fall is crucial for Dearborn to remain strong and be able to continue to provide topnotch services. My objective is to provide residents with facts regarding the Fire Department so they have the tools necessary when they cast their vote.

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• On the article Police Union President: Minimum Staffing Not Only Option to Cut Costs

  Joey Thorington

  5:36 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  I am not sure of the City's you mentioned exact numbers. Those City's populations, call volumes, and services provided all vary from ours. We have 121 firefighters and 1 secretary. The break down of how the firefighters are assigned is on the webpage FAQ.

  Reply

• On the article Police Union President: Minimum Staffing Not Only Option to Cut Costs

  Joey Thorington

  4:45 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  Dearborn Taxpayer: With all due respect the Fire Department has 111 firefighters in suppression. There are three shifts at 37 firefighters per shift. Firefighters work 50.4 hours per week. Every day, there are four firefighters on Kelly Day, which is where they are scheduled off to eliminate overtime. That reduces it to 33 per shift. Then you have to account members on Military Duty; RT (released for training when the FD sends personnel to schools); Vacations; Duty injuries; Off-duty injuries; and FMLA (family medical leave act). It quickly gets to your numbers legitimately. I encourage you to visit the "FAQ" section of the firefighter's webpage for more information at www.dearbornff.org.

  Joey Thorington
  President Dearborn Firefighters

  Reply