Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Fire Commissioner to be Fired

Let the countdown begin:
  • Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff today said fire deaths would increase if the city lowers the number of firefighters on a truck to save money, an idea mentioned as one potential cost-saving option in a recent report by the city’s inspector general.

    Hoff said he is “adamant” in his opposition to the idea of lowering the minimum staffing on all trucks to four, instead of the five-person minimum now in place on most trucks and engines.

    “Number one, it affects our performance,” Hoff said, explaining his opposition to the change. “And number two, it (affects) the lives of firefighters and paramedics and the people that we serve. Our fire deaths will go up.”

    Inspector General Joseph Ferguson said lowering the standard would save about $57 million a year — while also noting such a reduction could pose a safety hazard in an urban area like Chicago.
Hoff is making sense, and the Inspector General agrees with his assessment. But this isn't what Rahm wants to hear - Rahm wants to hear "$57 million saved," so we figure it's only a matter of time before Hoff is shown the door.

Labels:

77 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, the firemen (lucky them) actually have a leader the troops respect and will follow, which is a huge part of good morale in any organization.

Well, we can't have that, now. Of COURSE he should be removed.

10/26/2011 12:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rahm wants to hear "$57 million saved," so we figure it's only a matter of time before Hoff is shown the door.

=====================================

Where oh where might we find $57 million dollars?

Oh I know, I know! (raises hand frantically)

We don't give the CME a $100 million dollar tax break.

We claw back the $100 million over 10 year tax break from Motorola because the division that it was awarded to has been sold.

We tell Sears. NO on tax breaks.

We demand that the state income tax increase that the taxpayers are paying, the full 10% of that new tax revenue comes back to the local communities or municipalities like the old tax revenue plan.

We shut off the Water to the suburbs that are not paying their bills.

Take you pick I'm sure you guys can come up with more including the number of aldermen that don't contribute to the people safety and their ward clouties.

10/26/2011 12:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats to Hoff, I don't know he guy but everyone I spoke with who does know him says he is true to the profession, not a sell out like most outsiders lok what we have at CPD. Only wish we had a boss with enough balls to say the same for us

10/26/2011 12:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

live on your knees, or die on your feet.

10/26/2011 12:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CFD's Hoff has got some BIG HOG BALLS! He is a complete contrast to CPD's Garry McJoke and OEMC's Gary Schtankel.

A hearty salute to Hoff for doing the right thing and not being steamrolled like "McJoke" and "Schtankel".

10/26/2011 12:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wanna bet any house in Chicago that has a "connected" person(s) is noted at OMC and will get faster service than any of us. Bad enough messing with the police but now to start cutting the fire dept. I don't think so. Penny wise and dollar foolish.

10/26/2011 01:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hoff goes to bat for his guys. Take a look at CPD's bosses; for example, Kup (great guy, but what the ?), is on the news, with Sup. & mayor, saying crime is down, we don't need anymore police. Here's Kup acting like he did it all! We love you Kup, but have you been out in the streets in 8 yet? Property crimes way up, Raps all the time, poor equipment, retirements galore,... and you defend the mayor & the sup. You're killing us!

10/26/2011 01:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That would be a damn shame. Comm. Hoff is a damn good boss, better than the shit we've had on CPD for the last 4 years or so.

10/26/2011 01:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

At least he said what needed to be said.

10/26/2011 01:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Too bad the police department will never have a boss speak like that. The one we got throws coppers under the bus and goes to the fake father phlegar's church and talks race.

10/26/2011 02:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How does Hoff think his 18% pay raise is going to come about?

10/26/2011 02:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The decline in fire deaths is largely due to the improvement in building products, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms.

Our firemen are brave brothers, but let's be honest.

10/26/2011 04:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Hoff, I tip my hat to you sir. You are a class act with brass balls! God Bless you!

10/26/2011 04:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The decline in fire deaths is largely due to the improvement in building products, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms.

Our firemen are brave brothers, but let's be honest.

10/26/2011 04:36:00 AM

WTF! Hoff did not speak of a present decline but rather the possibility of a future increase in fire deaths due to reducing the amount of firefighters on each truck. Besides, that's not the point! The point is that Hoff stood up to 9.5 and said: No! I do not agree that we can do more with less or that we should reduce the amount of firemen per truck. Hoff by the way is a CFD internal hire to the top spot. God what is it about us at CPD where we can't get someone like that driving the bus for us?!!?

10/26/2011 06:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And how many homes have sprinkler systems? The smoke alarm is only as good as the battery that powers it. And how does improvements in building products apply here? Most deaths are in homes that pre-dates all these so called improvements.

10/26/2011 06:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Puh-leeze. Do you really think he was allowed to say that without the mayor's blessings? Stop smoking the weed, man.

And besides, it's not the number of FFs that caused the decline in deaths.

10/26/2011 06:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it better to just close a dozen firehouses, or reduce the number of fireman on each truck?

There just is no money.

10/26/2011 06:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We need a Superintendent that comes up thru the ranks! Someone that the rank and file can respect because he/she has been there and done that! When in the mayor of this city going to realize that!! Its such a simpleton answer--here are the basics--
1. a superintendent that was brought up thru the ranks knows Chicago and knows how the CPD works
2. This would be a huge morale booster for CPD

10/26/2011 07:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Posted as a comment under fran Spelman's story...

"Fire commissioner ‘deathly against’ proposed department cuts"

Commissioner Hoff is absolutely correct in his assessment of Rahm’s cuts. He can say the truth because after forty years of honorable service to the citizens of Chicago he nearing mandatory retirement and is in what is often referred to as the K.M.A. Club.

Chief! Thank-you for your service.
May you collect more pension checks than paychecks.

What is unfortunately also going to happen is what has happened to the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Housing. Rahm will bring in some outsider to head the Chicago Fire Department from some other city. No loyalties to any one here except Rahm himself. No new ideas really, just fake those but above all cut the budget, hide the bodies if you have to."

10/26/2011 07:02:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW, a boss in shitcago that actually looks out for his people, amazing! Hey all you CPD bosses take notice, that is what a true leader does.

10/26/2011 07:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you want your insurance premiums to rise? Business and Homes?
Then cut the FD and watch the rates go sky high. Just a matter of money...

10/26/2011 07:51:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well I give him credit for driving to his guns and speaking his mind. Unlike some dude from the East coast who is helping swing the wrecking ball.

10/26/2011 08:02:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here comes Hubbie

10/26/2011 08:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The decline in fire deaths is largely due to the improvement in building products, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms.

Our firemen are brave brothers, but let's be honest.

10/26/2011 04:36:00 AM


You man the trucks (and cars for that matter) for what can happen, not what you think you can get away with. So troll somewhere else Rahm supporter.

Hoff is the kind of boss the Police Department dreams of.

10/26/2011 08:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"The decline in fire deaths is largely due to the improvement in building products, sprinkler systems, and smoke alarms.

Our firemen are brave brothers, but let's be honest."

First of all, way to support our brothers who are risking their lives everyday just like us. Second, if (God forbid) my house ever catches on fire, I sure as hell don't want some guy working double duty trying to put it out when the work load should be spread out among 5 on a truck.

10/26/2011 09:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's just an uninformed citizen's casual observation: the fire department always radically over-reacts to everything. Why does an ambulance always get accompanied by a fire engine? Often two? Seems we could be a little smarter abouthow we deploy equipment and save ourselves a boatload without compromising safety.

10/26/2011 09:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rahm doesn't want a boss that's a free thinker, speaks his mind, tells the truth and backs his troops.
While I commend Hoff I think he'll quickly become persona non grata to Rahm.
It is nice to see Fire take some of the hits and criticism that we've been dealing with for awhile now.
Apparently now the only "sacred cows" left that are immune to the "shared pain" are the Mayors office and all the alderthieves. Rahm you're a hypocritical asshole.

10/26/2011 10:02:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know the man...but seems to me he's a stand up guy who cares more about his men/women than caring how far he can go up Rahm's butt. I, for one, am jealous of CFD. Wish the CPD had someone like him. All I know is the next time a PO gets hurt/killed it's all on the McCantShutUp and Rahm hands.

10/26/2011 10:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A boss with balls.... Priceless

10/26/2011 10:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hoff did just get a big pay raise.

I hope he enjoys it while he can.

He's been around for 34 years and is 55 years old.

http://mayor.cityofchicago.org/mayor/en/press_room/press_releases/2010/june_2010/0623_hoff_fire_comm.html

In other words he can retire anytime. That's what's known as "fuck you" ability.

So maybe he gets forced out. He can retire and live very nicely on his pension without the stress and still have his honor intact.

10/26/2011 10:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everything in the City would be improved if we shitcan simply one City employee, Rahm Emanuel. Addition by subtraction. Get rid of that arrogant asshole and things would improve.

Congratulations to Fire Commissioner Hoff for speaking the truth, There is a reason Commissioner Hoff wears TWO Lambert Tree awards on his uniform, he's a balls of brass firefighter.

I would think a good t-shirt for police officers might be: "Robert Hoff for CPD Superintendent."

Most of us can go through out entire careers and never work for a brave highly regarded man like that. All we get are the politically connected ball washer bosses that have been shoved down our throats at CPD or the past 25 years.

As a 25 year plus police officer I can say I would love the opportunity to work for someone like Robert Hoff, doesn't matter if that is as Fire Department Boss, Police Department Boss, Garbage Truck Driver or dogcatcher.

Now compare Robert Hoff to the likes of what we have been saddled with: Ron Huberman, Mike Masters, Jody Weiss, Mile Mealer, Downtown Ernie and the rest. Oh, don't forget NYPD McCarthy.

Congratulations Commissioner Hoff, you have the respect of many of us on CPD.

Now if Emanuel ends up firing Commissioner Hoff I would suggest that we take advantage of a wonderful outdoor urinal right in front of 4228 N Hermitage Ave. Next time you get a belly full of beer, just stop over there and water the lawn.

10/26/2011 10:36:00 AM  
Blogger TWENTY and OUT said...

Hats off to Hoff. What a stand up guy. Unlike our Superintendent Jenny McCarthy who poked his head out from under Rham's desk to lie to the media, the citizens, and us by saying we don't need more police.
Hey Jenny, how does it feel having Rham's arm elbow deep in your ass moving you lips you puppet!?

10/26/2011 10:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be Real; The Fifth guy is nothing more than the designated cook and grocery boy. Old Timer in house on Cumberland recently retired claimed he hadn't been on a run in many YEARS. "If I go out who will cook and get the Groceries" They can have 5 men on their vehicles but we can't have two man squads, who are we kidding?? If they need more manpower then send another engine, WAIT FOR BACKUP......sound familiar.

10/26/2011 11:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cell phones have led to earlier detection of fires.Fires are down,so reduce manning on all trucks and engines.If you need more manpower,create more squad companies that can act as a roving manpower pool to augment fire companies that already have been increased in response to a still alarm.Use your resources more effectively!Common sense can save money!

10/26/2011 12:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SMOKESCREEN!
This is all part of Barry's thinly veiled plan to raise taxes.
In another attempt to pass another " stimulus " bill, doomed for failure, Barry, along w/ Uncle " If you don't pass this bill, rapes & murders will increase ", Biden
Add to this, Pelosis statement " if you don't pass think bill women will lay lying bleedin
g on the floor



Fear mongers, preying on the ignorant.

10/26/2011 01:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I grew up with Commissioner Hoff,he was then and is now one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. As for the 18% raise, I'll bet he would rather see the manpower,no joke.

10/26/2011 02:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God Bless Commissioner Hoff for having the backbone to stand up for - and speak out on - what he believes is right, just and proper.

10/26/2011 02:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If the tiny dancer fires Hoff, guess what? Hoff gets my vote for Mayor in 2015. Hoff for mayor !!! Or alderman....

10/26/2011 03:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go commissioner hoff...finally a leader who will stand up to this little prick for his men and women....if rahm fires him i say hoff for mayor....funny this little asshole wants cpd and cfd to cut their budgets and not pay the teachers their raises but he has money to give his staff 10% raises....3 1/2 years won t go buy fast enough till we can get rid of this guy...i've never been so embarrassed to say im from chicago.

10/26/2011 03:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CPD had a Good Boss , Phil Cline,
the hair gels bum rapped him and it's got worse . JFLED did more for us then this mcgoof will ever do . He can't promote or demote our command staff without approval of 9 1/2 .

10/26/2011 04:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be Real; The Fifth guy is nothing more than the designated cook and grocery boy. Old Timer in house on Cumberland recently retired claimed he hadn't been on a run in many YEARS. "If I go out who will cook and get the Groceries" They can have 5 men on their vehicles but we can't have two man squads, who are we kidding?? If they need more manpower then send another engine, WAIT FOR BACKUP......sound familiar.


Hey BOZO!!!

To compare most CFD firehouses to the firehouse on Cumberland or any other retirement house in the City is absurd. Especially, when you're talking about the West Side, Uptown, Rogers Park, Englewood, Roseland, South Shore, Gresham, etc...... Houses were guys actually do a LOT of runs and go to fires.

Regarding manning, it SUCKS BIG TIME when you have one less guy on a truck or engine. Especially, if you're the first or second engine or truck to a fire. Leading out a line by yourself in a courtyard or a hi rise is NOT easy even if you're "cross fit" fit. Plus having the a truck officer and a ff splitting up to do searches (Front and Rear of the building). VERY dangerous!!! Especially if you have to pull people out - by yourself. This does occur (4 guys on a rig - called a variance) now but on a small scale. If they cut our manning it'll be an everyday thing.....

As far as waiting for backup (?), if there's a building on fire you don't (and can't) do that. WHY?!! By the time your supposed backup comes from 5-7 miles away you can have multiple floors or buildings on fire.....and a lot of civilians hurt or killed.....

It's like CPD responding to a melee involving dozens of people in the middle of the summer with 2-4 officers. It doesn't matter if you have a gun or not. It's VERY reckless and unwise. Does it happen yes unfortunately.

Just a matter of time before CFD and CPD death rates climb because of them trying to balance the budgets on our backs.

Before you comment next time, you should know what youre talking about.

10/26/2011 04:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hoff crossed the line during the 1980 strike,that being said he does care about the rank and file members.i think this is his way of making up for 1980.

10/26/2011 04:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Hoff, I don't know he guy but everyone I spoke with who does know him says he is true to the profession, not a sell out like most outsiders lok what we have at CPD. Only wish we had a boss with enough balls to say the same for us

10/26/2011 12:48:00 AM

You had one... just over a year ago. How soon we forget.

10/26/2011 04:48:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"Here's just an uninformed citizen's casual observation: the fire department always radically over-reacts to everything. Why does an ambulance always get accompanied by a fire engine? Often two? Seems we could be a little smarter abouthow we deploy equipment and save ourselves a boatload without compromising safety."

10/26/2011 09:54:00 AM

Having multiple pieces of equipment respond makes lots of sense in a city like Chicago. Ambulances can be coming from a great distance. Once enroute, they can be delayed by trains, traffic, and bridges. If the truck gets there first, firefighters on the truck can begin first aid or CPR.

Picture yourself going into cardiac arrest while the ambulance waits for a slow-moving freight train to clear a crossing.

10/26/2011 04:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BACKDRAFT SAID
I salute you sir; you are a rare breed in chicago command structure. Standing by your troops and supporting them with whatever they need to do their job.
Ot: "cellphones had lead to early detection of fires." How?
Hoff for CPD Superintendent. Love it.

10/26/2011 05:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Be Real; The Fifth guy is nothing more than the designated cook and grocery boy. Old Timer in house on Cumberland recently retired claimed he hadn't been on a run in many YEARS. "If I go out who will cook and get the Groceries" They can have 5 men on their vehicles but we can't have two man squads, who are we kidding?? If they need more manpower then send another engine, WAIT FOR BACKUP......sound familiar.


Hey BOZO!!!

To compare most CFD firehouses to the firehouse on Cumberland or any other retirement house in the City is absurd. Especially, when you're talking about the West Side, Uptown, Rogers Park, Englewood, Roseland, South Shore, Gresham, etc...... Houses were guys actually do a LOT of runs and go to fires.

Regarding manning, it SUCKS BIG TIME when you have one less guy on a truck or engine. Especially, if you're the first or second engine or truck to a fire. Leading out a line by yourself in a courtyard or a hi rise is NOT easy even if you're "cross fit" fit. Plus having the a truck officer and a ff splitting up to do searches (Front and Rear of the building). VERY dangerous!!! Especially if you have to pull people out - by yourself. This does occur (4 guys on a rig - called a variance) now but on a small scale. If they cut our manning it'll be an everyday thing.....

As far as waiting for backup (?), if there's a building on fire you don't (and can't) do that. WHY?!! By the time your supposed backup comes from 5-7 miles away you can have multiple floors or buildings on fire.....and a lot of civilians hurt or killed.....

It's like CPD responding to a melee involving dozens of people in the middle of the summer with 2-4 officers. It doesn't matter if you have a gun or not. It's VERY reckless and unwise. Does it happen yes unfortunately.

Just a matter of time before CFD and CPD death rates climb because of them trying to balance the budgets on our backs.

Before you comment next time, you should know what youre talking about.

10/26/2011 04:33:00 PM


I agree 100% with this statement. I am CPD and have great respect for CFD. There should be NO cuts in manpower to either organization!!!

CPD,CPD,CTU must all stand UNITED and fight the fight of their lives or we are all finished!

UNITED WE STAND!

10/26/2011 05:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No matter what anyone says or does, pro or against, it will ALWAYS be turned into an excuse for Emanuel to continue his theft of lawful pensions and wages from city employees.

There is NEVER a down angle that shithead won't play to his favor.

10/26/2011 05:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be Real; The Fifth guy is nothing more than the designated cook and grocery boy. Old Timer in house on Cumberland recently retired claimed he hadn't been on a run in many YEARS. "If I go out who will cook and get the Groceries" They can have 5 men on their vehicles but we can't have two man squads, who are we kidding?? If they need more manpower then send another engine, WAIT FOR BACKUP......sound familiar.


Hey BOZO!!!

To compare most CFD firehouses to the firehouse on Cumberland or any other retirement house in the City is absurd. Especially, when you're talking about the West Side, Uptown, Rogers Park, Englewood, Roseland, South Shore, Gresham, etc...... Houses were guys actually do a LOT of runs and go to fires.

Regarding manning, it SUCKS BIG TIME when you have one less guy on a truck or engine. Especially, if you're the first or second engine or truck to a fire. Leading out a line by yourself in a courtyard or a hi rise is NOT easy even if you're "cross fit" fit. Plus having the a truck officer and a ff splitting up to do searches (Front and Rear of the building). VERY dangerous!!! Especially if you have to pull people out - by yourself. This does occur (4 guys on a rig - called a variance) now but on a small scale. If they cut our manning it'll be an everyday thing.....

As far as waiting for backup (?), if there's a building on fire you don't (and can't) do that. WHY?!! By the time your supposed backup comes from 5-7 miles away you can have multiple floors or buildings on fire.....and a lot of civilians hurt or killed.....

It's like CPD responding to a melee involving dozens of people in the middle of the summer with 2-4 officers. It doesn't matter if you have a gun or not. It's VERY reckless and unwise. Does it happen yes unfortunately.

Just a matter of time before CFD and CPD death rates climb because of them trying to balance the budgets on our backs.

Before you comment next time, you should know what youre talking about.

10/26/2011 05:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Hot Pursuit said...

Really, a guy speaks of facts and the probability and they want to axe him....

These politicians are out of control.... divide and conquer, nice stradegy.

10/26/2011 06:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

if Hoff gets canned, that would be additional confirmation that the Chicago political machine, formerly (and maybe currently) led by the Daleys, now by the Rhaminator, is as politically, organizationally, and ethically corrupt as any other.....meet the new boss, same as the old boss

10/26/2011 07:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In the event rahm does fire this Man i vote we hire him to be a Police and Fire spokes person to defend us in the media against this pure jagoff mayor

10/26/2011 08:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
How does Hoff think his 18% pay raise is going to come about?

10/26/2011 02:38:00 AM
===================================
It wasn't 18%, it was only 9%. It was also the same 0% that the ff's got when they signed their contract. Exempts get theirs the year after because it needs to be put into the budget.

10/26/2011 09:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's one to think about over your morning coffee.
CPD/CFD COMBINED UNDER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFTY and who but Ron Huberman is made the Director. Watch out kids...

10/26/2011 10:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Luberman returns

10/26/2011 10:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the plan back in 2000 if Gore won was to combine CPD and CFD trust me it is coming=coffee maker

10/26/2011 10:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a police Sgt and happen to be around Bob Hoff on several downtown incidents, this guy is as solid as they come, 1,000 per cent in support of his firefighters and cops too, he is a class act who has 36 yrs as a fireman, I'm sure he would love to retire as fire commissioner but instead of being a pimp for Rahm, he would rather leave.

10/26/2011 10:29:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 9:54 AM:
You are correct, you are an Uninformed citizen with a casual
obversation. So why even post on a subject where you admit you are Uninformed? You only embarrass
yourself with your stupidity.

10/27/2011 12:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it better to just close a dozen firehouses, or reduce the number of fireman on each truck?

There just is no money.

10/26/2011 06:34:00 AM
--
There is money for planters in the middle of the street running through one of the largest parks in the country.

There is money to raise the salaries of Rahm's top people.

There is money to bribe teachers into accepting longer workdays.

There is money to plop traffic 'circles' down on quiet side-streets.

There is money to buy loads and loads of surveillance cameras, red light cameras, speeding cameras and cameras to watch the cameras.

There is money to plant mannequins on street corners, to remind jaywalkers not to do that.

There is money to supply an alderman with several sworn police officers to pick up his dry cleaning and chauffeur him around to golf courses out of state and there is money to supply him with a free car for them to do so, along with free gas, free vehicle maintenance, free city sticker, free car insurance, free license plates and free parking.

There is money to do the same for Rich Daley.

There is money to do the same for MAGGIE Daley.

There is money to renovate the interior of the soon-to-close 019th district station, so an unnecessary relocation of personnel can take place.

There is money to build four boathouses, in the middle of a severe economic crisis.

If you think there is no money, congratulate the media, which trumpets as the truth anything our political 'leaders' spoonfeed them. There's money, all right, but it's being siphoned off to the 'haves', while the 'have-nots' are being told to buck up and tighten their belts.

I don't care if that fifth man on the truck isn't needed, on occasion; I care that he's there when he IS needed.

10/27/2011 02:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Remember that just like us, the firefighters are in place for what MIGHT happen. To the jerkoff who posted about the house on Cumberland, maybe on most runs they don't need 5 people on the truck or engine or whatever they call it. But if the local school or old folks home or hospital goes up you'll be glad that he's there.

And, I've known Bob Hoff since he was a kid. Thats a stand up mofo, and he proved himself in the trenches. If he says they need 5, they need 5.

10/27/2011 09:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's just an uninformed citizen's casual observation: the fire department always radically over-reacts to everything. Why does an ambulance always get accompanied by a fire engine? Often two? Seems we could be a little smarter abouthow we deploy equipment and save ourselves a boatload without compromising safety.

10/26/2011 09:54:00 AM

==============================

There are parameters set, depending on the emergency, and when an ambo is coming from a distance, they must send a fire company which has an EMT, or a Paramedic on an ALS rig.

So, the answer to the question is to get the fine citizens either a 1st responder or an ALS company with a paramedic to the scene ASAP.

Alot of wasted manpower due to the entitled ones ABUSING the EMS system!!

10/27/2011 09:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CPD had a Good Boss , Phil Cline,
the hair gels bum rapped him and it's got worse . JFLED did more for us then this mcgoof will ever do . He can't promote or demote our command staff without approval of 9 1/2 .

10/26/2011 04:06:00 PM

Phil Cline was never a good boss. Being first in the door and backing up your brothers and sisters might make for being a hard charger or a good copper, but it does not necessarily make for a good boss.

When Cline was at the helm, he was not worried about the good of the organization or about us. He was concerned with taking care of a select few of incompetent people that include Caluris, Cronin, Egan, Grau, Hegarty, Kolman, and Molloy.

Simultaneously, he was concerned about feathering his own nest. He worked long and hard to ceate the CPMF so he could have a bountiful gig after life at the CPD. He now makes 150K, a stipend and a car off the backs of our fallen, in addition to a wonderful pension.

It makes no difference that his compensation comes from corporate donations and not from CPD member's donations. Cline engineered the whole thing for his own purposes and, at the very least, it makes the CPMF look unsavory and corrupt.

While he might have been a good copper, he was never a good man. He was always out for himself and his cronies. He was just able to bullshit a lot of people, like you.

When people, and most likely you included, comment this holiday season about how he did this and that for the families of the fallen and he visited them with Santa and dropped off Christmas gifts, just remember one thing. He is not there out of the goodness of his heart. He is there because he is being PAID to be there.

10/27/2011 11:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"It wasn't 18%, it was only 9%. It was also the same 0% that the ff's got when they signed their contract. Exempts get theirs the year after because it needs to be put into the budget.

10/26/2011 09:20:00 PM"
The FFs got Zero& The Boss gets 9%, this makes him a stand up guy? Why do the exempts draw a pension based on an appointed rank & arent drawing pension based on their carrer service rank? You're ok w/that?

10/27/2011 11:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hoff crossed the line during the 1980 strike,that being said he does care about the rank and file members.i think this is his way of making up for 1980.

10/26/2011 04:44:00 PM

To me, it sounds like Commisioner Hoff thinks more about an Oath he swore to protect people than he does of a contract. Seems like a pretty decent Man to me!

10/27/2011 03:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it better to just close a dozen firehouses, or reduce the number of fireman on each truck?

There just is no money.

10/26/2011 06:34:00 AM

--

There is money to supply an alderman with several sworn police officers to pick up his dry cleaning and chauffeur him around to golf courses out of state and there is money to supply him with a free car [free cars] for them to do so, along with free gas, free vehicle maintenance, free city sticker, free car insurance, free license plates and free parking.

--

10/27/2011 02:19:00 AM

----------------------------------------------------------------------

All is very well stated, but there is one suggested correction. It should read 'free cars', not 'a free car'.

10/27/2011 04:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a police Sgt and happen to be around Bob Hoff on several downtown incidents, this guy is as solid as they come, 1,000 per cent in support of his firefighters and cops too, he is a class act who has 36 yrs as a fireman, I'm sure he would love to retire as fire commissioner but instead of being a pimp for Rahm, he would rather leave.

10/26/2011 10:29:00 PM

Exactly how is "I'm a police Sgt" integral to your comment?

10/27/2011 04:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hoff is a good man. The Mayor would be crazy to fire him, so that's probably exactly what will happen.

10/27/2011 08:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 10/27/11 4:55pm comment: I really didn't mean to offend you or anyone else by saying I'm a Polce Sgt. it's just that I started my sentence with that, I should have said I'm a police Sgt. and not a dog ass copper, obviously you have a whole bunch of time on your hands or maybe you are an over educated person who took this job because he couldn't get a job in another field.

10/28/2011 04:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As far as having combined police/fire employees, it is possible. The future police officers hired could be cross trained, although if they had to pay for two sets of uniforms it would break them. Then, the department could ask for volunteers to be cross trained. None of this is out of the question. this has been tried in other cities and has had some success, although not much. Better in small towns. What I do see coming is a uniform voucher system run by a private enterprise to eliminate the uniform allowance. And, a turn around in uniform standards for the police department. The end of baseball caps and black vest covers and turtlenecks.

10/28/2011 05:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

I'm a police Sgt and happen to be around Bob Hoff on several downtown incidents, this guy is as solid as they come, 1,000 per cent in support of his firefighters and cops too, he is a class act who has 36 yrs as a fireman, I'm sure he would love to retire as fire commissioner but instead of being a pimp for Rahm, he would rather leave.

10/26/2011 10:29:00 PM

Exactly how is "I'm a police Sgt" integral to your comment?

10/27/2011 04:55:00 PM

It's justification for his probable "meritorious" promotion as evidenced by his run-on sentence of over 60 words with an occasional comma.
Bwaaahahaha!

Another Sgt. (I took and passed a test)
P.S. I 'DO' agree however, with his assessment of Hoff though-- a firemans fireman.

10/28/2011 06:32:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...

I'm a police Sgt and happen to be around Bob Hoff on several downtown incidents, this guy is as solid as they come, 1,000 per cent in support of his firefighters and cops too, he is a class act who has 36 yrs as a fireman, I'm sure he would love to retire as fire commissioner but instead of being a pimp for Rahm, he would rather leave.

10/26/2011 10:29:00 PM

Exactly how is "I'm a police Sgt" integral to your comment?

10/27/2011 04:55:00 PM

It's justification for his probable "meritorious" promotion as evidenced by his run-on sentence of over 60 words with an occasional comma.
Bwaaahahaha!

Another Sgt. (I took and passed a test)
P.S. I 'DO' agree however, with his assessment of Hoff though-- a firemans fireman.

10/28/2011 06:32:00 PM

To that first reply, a "police Sgt." vs. a troll of some sort.

I am a Lieutenant of Police (code 9173), and never had a clout or meritorious promotion.

I too have tread through water, smoke and ashes with that man and long before he was a chief (1) and I a whiteshirt (2).

I thoroughly concur with the assessment and evaluation of his career and fitness for command expressed in the vernacular of being a "fireman's fireman."

Appendix:

chief (1): Informal fire fighter lingo for any high ranking officer regardless of actual rank or job title.

whiteshirt (2): Informal police lingo for any uniformed supervisory officer but usually only Sergeant, Lieutenant or Captain but not exempt or command rank which are strictly appointed ranks or positions.

There, do you feel better now.

10/29/2011 04:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blah, blah, blah, regarding Cline, concluded with...

When people, and most likely you included, comment this holiday season about how he did this and that for the families of the fallen and he visited them with Santa and dropped off Christmas gifts, just remember one thing. He is not there out of the goodness of his heart. He is there because he is being PAID to be there.

10/27/2011 11:28:00 AM

In short, most likely posted by a never-promoted, non-aggressive individual too cheap to contribute on behalf of our fallen members families.

A sad, sad way of going through life.

10/29/2011 09:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A sad, sad way of going through life.

10/29/2011 09:38:00 AM

Are you that gullible? Or do you prefer to foolishly go through life ignoring the obvious and blindly accepting a flim-flam artist as your hero? Or, being a resident of Illinois, Cook County and Chicago, have you become so overwhelmed by corruption that you just automatically accept it as a part of our day to day world?

Bernie Madoff loved the first type. Phil Cline loves the second type. And corrupt politicians and all scammers love the third type.

Keep on giving, you fool. Cline is chortling all the way to the bank.

10/29/2011 06:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

exactly. sometimes cops drive around all night doing nothing but when some thug shoves a gun in my face and threatens to kill me I'd like to know they are available.

10/29/2011 06:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep on giving, you fool. Cline is chortling all the way to the bank.

10/29/2011 06:30:00 PM

No need to waste any more time here with a response. Again, you pretty much confirmed my initial interpretation.
I sincerely hope the CPMF never has to contribute on your or any other members behalf ever again.
Stay safe out there, brother.

10/30/2011 09:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I sincerely hope the CPMF never has to contribute on your or any other members behalf ever again.
Stay safe out there, brother.

10/30/2011 09:20:00 AM

Leave your emotions out of it. Take a good look at it all. Try to refute the facts. Afterwards, if you cannot see how Phil Cline engineered the whole deal for his own benefit, you are an easy mark.

10/31/2011 12:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
hoff crossed the line during the 1980 strike,that being said he does care about the rank and file members.i think this is his way of making up for 1980.

10/26/2011 04:44:00 PM

To me, it sounds like Commisioner Hoff thinks more about an Oath he swore to protect people than he does of a contract. Seems like a pretty decent Man to me!

10/27/2011 03:56:00 PM"

I was on the job during the Fire Strike and cops, citizens and other fire fighters thought that it was a damn fool play on the part of Frank Muscare.

There were a lot of other things that could and should have been done. The strike was a public relations disaster.

It was as if Muscare cared more for his own ego than the rank and file Fire Fighters, the citizens or the his oath to protect lives and property.

I'll side with Hoff on this, then and now.

10/31/2011 01:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I sincerely hope the CPMF never has to contribute on your or any other members behalf ever again.
Stay safe out there, brother.

10/30/2011 09:20:00 AM

Admittedly, I cannot stand the sight of Phil Cline. I think he is lower than an Irish tinker, but, if he hires Bill Cozzi and gives Bill full-time employment at the CPMF, I will again contribute my money to the CPMF. You might think little of my offer, but know it would be a huge step for me because I find Cline to be a pos.

11/03/2011 11:43:00 PM  

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