STAND IN SOLIDARITY...

The video I placed above this article speaks large volumes doesn't it. Standing up (like that) for what you believe in and what you know you rightly deserve, takes big brass balls. For those of you that may not be familiar with why those firefighters stood in solidarity, let me quickly fill you in.

This took place during the DCFD's "State of The Department" meeting with their Fire Chief. The Chief has threatened layoffs, uniform changes, changes to the name of the organization itself, and even changes to the firefighters schedules. The members of the department (DCFD) had enough and stood together, brother to brother, as one solid unit.

The concept of working together and standing in solidarity works people. When your department or union asks you to show up and put on a certain colored shirt and storm into a city council meeting to allow your voice to be heard, YOU MUST SHOW UP. Maybe your city is like so many I hear about, where the city council and mayor tell you what you want to hear to your face, but make no changes when the chamber doors close. Maybe your city is one of many where the city manager and the HR dept. just piss on everything you bring to the table.

There is nothing that raises the body temperature of a council member, city manager, mayor, or Fire Chief then when they walk into a room and see over one hundred unified people wearing the same shirt, standing in solidarity, making their voice heard without even saying a word.  Just staring out into that sea of people makes them very nervous.

Well there is a way to let them know (visually) that enough is enough. A way that allows them to see that your department is a solid unit from top to bottom, all fighting for the same causes. Now this may mean you (we) must put aside all of our internal petty bullshit and stand shoulder to shoulder with someone that you may not always agree with. So what? Do it. Do it so that the mayor, city council, city manager, and Fire Chief can see that you (we) are unified. And when a organization is unified it becomes powerful and loud.

I hear all the time from people in all different professions that they want to leave this place in better shape then they found it in. Well that is all fine and dandy, BUT words only get you so far. When you find yourself at the point of saying enough is enough, this is not right, I can't take anymore, etc. Will you have the STONES to stand up and speak up, letting your voice be heard? When your department or union asks for you to stand in solidarity with them for the greater good of your department, will you have the intestinal fortitude to do so? If you don't then do not bitch about the leftover scraps that your city's mayor, council, manager, or Fire Chief ALLOWS you to have.

BRAVO TO THE BROTHERS IN THE DCFD THAT TOOK A STAND....