Listen at the end of the day, if people do not want to pay for the service, then it is what it is. The unions argument is with the people and if the people say we are happy with the service we have then so be it. If someone dies, because the next unit is miles away then so be it. If someone's home or business burns down because the next unit is miles away, then so be it.

therev your comment was not very bright when your significant other is dying from a cardiac arrest or any type of medical emergency and rescue is 15 minutes away because they had to call an ambulance from the otherside of town due to the lack of personnel on the dept. you let me know what you think. Based on that comment you made, you more then likely work closely with the mayor or the Fire Chief becuase the people of Jacksonville want public safety. Our familys are important to us and those fireman and police help keep our familys alive and safe in many different ways! If a man or women is willing to go into a burning building and risk his life to save one of my kids or family members I think they deserve a pension (that they pay for) after 20 years don't you?

therev, did you even read the story? The union is advocating that this plan will reduce the number of personel required to safely man the equipment. With the city's plan if one of these units transports someone to the hospital it will leave the station with only two people to man the engine. Two people are not enough to operate the engine and to man an interior attack. Especially if someone is trapped in a burning building/home. Or if there is another medical run they could be undermanned if the incident is a cardiac or trauma red. With a follow up fire run all they could do safely is an exterior attack. Say good bye to that home/building if it is fully involved on arrival. While I have not been actively involved in the fire service for a number of years. I am sure the NFPA and State Fire Marshall still mandates how many personel are required to man a fire engine. I would venture a guess when those two fire fighters start their transport of a patient the fire engine would have to be taken out of service until they return to the station. How's that for fire/medical coverage?

I think it is a shame that we let unions tell the people what they need. With the growth in FL. over the years we need to have more fire and rescue personnel. I came from a small town and we had a paid fire department and a EMT 911 system. We had 4 people at each of the 5 fire department stations in the area. They in turn were supported by a volunteer group. We were never under staffed or felt that we were in trouble. We also were non union. Florida is a right to work state and the unions need to understand this. If I was the mayor I would see about getting rid of that idiot union rep. send his butt back to Cuba, where he came from. We need to stand up and stop the over spending and start trying to be a area controlled by us the residents and not by money hungry people and unions. Mayor Brown: Do not give in to the fire and police and there ridiculous commands. Stand up for the citizens of Duval County and stop all unnecessary spending and outrageous pension programs.