Is it true that the mayor of of debary is not happy with OCFD? I heard that OCFD wants to back out, Please tell me whats going on.

I heard Orange City dropped the ball?

ohhhh what a shame!!!!!! so orange city is in debary? and is orange city going to back up (debary) orange city? or would the 31 back up what use to be the county 33? wait im confused? and why would any firefighter PAID OR VOL. bash on each other? get real guys. you all do the same job! and one day the people your bashing might be saving your butt the next day!!!

Scotty I like your post. I agree we work well together on scene. I am not attacking you or the guys, but your administration and department is not in the best interest of your citizens. I spend countless days watching your fire trucks drive by us emergency still! One minute 31 is closer the next call you guys drive by us. You all rarely ever add us as the closer unit. I know you guys scan almost every minute of the day so you know when we(31) is closer. I can say i always add you guys to every call that you are closer. It would be nice if you guys showed us the same respect. It doesnt happen though. It sucks going into work and having to listen to guys running by us emergency when you know were sitting in the bay. We could add ourselves but we are not cowboys. If you want a better relation ship do the right thing for your citizens.

Not trying to make this a union thing. OCFD, other wise know as "FDNY South" ,simply reflect the chief they serve under.

It appears that this has turned into a Union bashing Non-Union issue. What a shame that people that probably trained together in school now draw a line because of a Union. Shows the problems that unions create apparently, look at the Auto makers problems now caused by unions dictating to management. So the Unions are responsible for getting the Florida State Retirement system for Firefighters and making it high risk?

And apparently being a Union member makes you better than all other firefighters? I seriously doubt that.

So the Union will protect each and everyone without fail, again, doubt it.

How come the Union seems to always be picking fights with the County? Yes, Orange City is very low paid, but look at their intake of taxes and revenue. Simple Math one would think.....or is the Union doing Presidential math? I do know that Orange City Fire and Police got raises, so maybe they can drink Budweiser after doing an honest days work.

How come the Sheriff's Office isn't having these problems? Seems like they work for the County too, but no turmoil being aired in public, sounds professional to me. Maybe the Deputies are just a little more respectful of their "brothers and sisters". Oh, they have part time deputies too....but wait they aren't union so they probably don't bleed either. I need to get some super union powers for my job.......appparently makes me better than everyone else and gives me the power to talk smack about others in the same line of work.

I am really sure that there are some troops overseas that wish their biggest problem was getting a new recliner, TV or what store to shop at for dinner on taxpayer money. Maybe the county can just get rid of all the county firefighters and hire the cities. Then the county could be rid of this garbage.

Unions are for unions to thrive. Unions in Florida have no binding arbitration and very little teeth to "force" any government to do anything. They have a place, but when it comes to dictating, yes dictating, pay and benefits there are issues. In response to bashing of OCFD and "Natty Light", how about the IAFF helping out their "brothers" that will be laid off from the county. Why does the county want out of the Fire Business? One reason is the Union ****, the frivolous lawsuits and the inability to negotiate in good faith. They want pay raises, new trucks, 4 man trucks, new equipment, etc....newsflash: Volusia is not a rich county. Do your math and look at your tax base, not a bottomless well. So suck it up like everyone else.

As for kids: At least they want to do the job, not sit around and ***** about poor this and that. The OCFD FIREFIGHTERS actually like what they do and it isn't JUST a job. They have true pride in their work. The Union should be mad at the County and themselves for the COUNTY pulling out of DEBARY. OCFD didn't do this, stop your freaking whining and bitching and man up. Jesus, what a bunch of **** cry babies pointing fingers, talking about how great "you" are and how you DESERVE this and that. EARN what you want; Reality Check: YOU ARE NOT FDNY OR ORLANDO. You handle mostly medical calls, that EVAC transports for and once in a while save the ground. Respect is earned from the community by acting better than everyone else. If you worked for me you would be fired and let your Union tell me to put you back to work.....no binding arbitration, take me to court and spend years fighting unemployment. Give me a break. Hope the county gets rid of all of you whiney bi#tch@s. GROW UP.

I see the light.

Orange City Fire Rescue is non-union, which is wonderful for taxpaying citizens of Orange City like myself. We all know how awful Volusia County firemen are when it comes to regard for $$$.

Now the union men are mad at the non union men for being non union. It's so obvious.

Why does it even matter what Orange City is or is not?

I have your back Orange City firemen and don't hurt your citizens by going union.

Sorry you feel that way

This goes to the comments posted about OCFD and their lack of IAFF affiliation. While it is true that the guys working there have done nothing, and are still doing nothing, to contribute to the greater firefighter community through Union membership they have suffered. Yes...they do enjoy some of the same benefits as those who have so unselfishly given and fought for over the course of an entire career; however, they get paid squat.

Area pay comparissons (which can be provided free of charge to Union members from the FPF and IAFF) show that they are some of the lowest paid firefighters in central florida. This is a direct result of their lack of Union membership. Apparently, they are content with living the single wide lifestyle and taking their annual vacation to the "Glen" every year. Keep fighting for nothing and you will get exactly that. While they may not have anything in the end to pass on to their heirs at least they can say they were too lazy and selfish to fight for their futures and join the ranks of the IAFF. The next Natty Light is on me boys.......

Actually, our city did push for our retirement. And second, who is bashing the union? The union has made great strives in departments taking care of their Firefighters. I think that everyone understands that fact. So, please do me a favor and watch who you are calling children, that is about as disrespectful as one can get.

Actually, our city did push for our retirement. And second, who is bashing the union? The union has made great strives in departments taking care of their Firefighters. I think that everyone understands that fact. So, please do me a favor and watch who you are calling children, that is about as disrespectful as one can get.

OCFD bashes the union but these young children have no understanding of what the "union" has done for them. OCFD has the FRS special class pension. Hmmmm who do you think pushed that at the State level? Your City? lol You little boys need a lesson on the big picture.

Oh and if you didn't figure it out, the FPF and the IAFF pushed for high risk pensions that you enjoy and do nothing to contribute to. Have fun and I hope next Wednesday you get out of school early. Kids I tell ya, kids.

It's to bad this is all happening. I work for OCFD and I have friends that work for the County and other local departments. On scene we all seem to get along well and work well together. Then I read these posts. I just don't get it. What did OCFD do to make the County hate us so bad? We come to work everyday and give a 110% for the people we serve. We train hard and continue our education. We do our best to get along with everone around us whether its VCFS, Deltona, Deland or EVAC. So what is it? Please let me know because I'm here to tell you if there is a way to fix this problem of VCFS hating us I'm all about it. I'm not sure if we are just an easy target because we are not a Union department or if it is something else. Let's just fix it and move on.

It's to bad this is all happening. I work for OCFD and I have friends that work for the County and other local departments. On scene we all seem to get along well and work well together. Then I read these posts. I just don't get it. What did OCFD do to make the County hate us so bad? We come to work everyday and give a 110% for the people we serve. We train hard and continue our education. We do our best to get along with everone around us whether its VCFS, Deltona, Deland or EVAC. So what is it? Please let me know because I'm here to tell you if there is a way to fix this problem of VCFS hating us I'm all about it. I'm not sure if we are just an easy target because we are not a Union department or if it is something else. Let's just fix it and move on.

All this website is composed of is brothers talking smack, as one guy just admitted he was from Volusia and talked down another dept, and doing so on a website visible to the WORLD.

Talk about bad PR!!!

What the heck happened to the BROTHERHOOD of firefighters? One common goal? Community role models and servants? Standing aside and being neutral, I think one side of the argument is totally ignorant for what firefighters are and what they stand for. I am not going to say agencies, but I believe it is completely obvious, and I am glad I am not associated with that agency.

From another area firefighter.

The union destroyed volusia county fire's relationship with other agencies. Here's a prime example.

Why would OCFD kick in the lockers they would be taking over? Sounds like bitter angry union people trying to bash others. What a shame they won't post real names and apparently use other people's names. If you want to bash another agency then "put up or shut up". Sounds to me like you should be angry at your own agency for giving up the contract. What exactly is under qualified, untrained? So you are saying that OCFD Firefighters don't have firefighter training? If that is true then you should gather the evidence and present it to the citizens.

From what I know the County firefighters haven't been too successful at saving houses and buildings on fire in Debary. Maybe Orange City can do better, guess time will tell since there is a 3 year contract. Again put up or shut up.

The citizens in Debary actually see the firefighters in the community now, I know that I saw the firefighters on bikes talking to people at an event on Saturday night. They were professional, friendly and talked to people. The fire station doors are actually open now and the firefighters wave to people and talk to them while out in public. They seem pretty professional to me.

The joke that is OCFD.... As a citizen of Debary and a county firefighter, the lowest level of fire protection in the county, and realistically central Fl, is OC. They are now protecting us... I dont feel safe....

We all know that OCFD kicked in those lockers , and then blamed the county.....OCFD is an embarassement to firefighting!

*Unfortunately*

Now I know you're not a firemen. You must still be in elementary school the way you spell.

I heard getting your GED wasn't that hard

I truly hope that no one is using my name because they are too afraid to use their real name. I did not post this and know my brother did not. So whoever wishes to commit a crime by putting a post by name should be careful. I know that no "professional" firefighter would do this and face criminal charges. Must have been a misprint or just someone without the fortitude to list their real name.

Just so people know how mature some people are: When Orange City Firefighters came to clean out the 1 of 3 refrigerators left behind an unknows Volusia County "Professional" firefighter was kind enough to place their pubic hairs in the refrigerator. These are the same ones that kicked the bottoms out of the lockers. Wow, what a great show by "professionals".

The City of Debary did do right by the citizens........any citizen that wished to stop by the station should. The bay doors are open and welcome all citizens.

Signed,

The real Kovacs

The ocfd is definetly a drop off in service from the county, and other FD's. The mayor himself said , "we cant afford a cadillac, we just will have to go with a car to get us from here to there." The people who loose in this scenario are the citizens. Evidence of this is OC only having ONE fire truck responding to a car crash in Debary. They have at least two fire trucks resond to ALL car crashes in Orangecity. The county had at least two resonding as well. Now OC is cheaper, staffed with untrained volunteers, and has inferior equipment. If we had stayed with the county, we would be ghetting a new fire engine,Tanker truck , and a new station down at the county line. .....BUT no, we choose the cheap way out....Orange City is a subpar FD.

Put the ambulance in the stations, consolidated the whole county. Put it before the voter. Elect a fire couple fire commissioners.

Kovacs, Get off your High Horse... If you knew anything, you would know that OC Fire has excellent training and are well capable of their Job Duties. The citizens of DeBary are lucky to have the insight of Career Firefighters and Personnel who dedicate the time and resources to protecting our, YES OUR Community. Take a break from bashing, and look at yourself in the mirror. You might find out that you don't know everything. End.

So Debary now gets minimal experience and only 2 paid PROFESSIONAL firefighters per shift? Is it true when the 3rd man is on leave or in training an under qualified, untrained, non certified person will be supplementing the staff?

Sounds like a decrease service for an increase in price. I feel bad for the person calling 911 in Debary or better yet, the taxpayer in Debary that just got ripped off. In this day in time someone should be held accountable for this decrease = an increase.