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Monday, October 1, 2012
Blairmore Fire Department Shake-up
Just heard this evening a *RUMOUR* (I stress, this right now is strictly a rumour) on good authority that the Blairmore Fire Chief was axed today by the men in suits at municipal hall, and that the members of this fire department resigned en mass in protest.
If anybody can add to this one way or another, please do?
UPDATE: 21:13
I now know for sure by way of a friend who spoke personally with 30+ year veteran of the Blairmore Fire Department, Chief Jamie Margetak, that he was in fact released today by our municipal administration, and his fellow Blairmore Fire Department firefighters have indeed walked out (resigned) in protest over his firing.
UPDATE: Oct.2, 09:49
Have your say. Vote in the new poll in the sidebar on your left.
UPDATE: Oct.2, 12:20
Press Release
Effective October 1st, Station Chief Margetak has been relieved of his active duty. This action has prompted conclusion of additional fire service members from the Blairmore Station. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to advise the public that a contingency plan is in place and a protocol has been established to ensure the ultimate safety of the public while the transition takes place. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to thank Chief Margetak for the years of dedication and service and wishes to thank also those fire fighters that remain on active duty.
Comment:
Lots of comments above on the Municipal Facebook Press Release page. Check them out.
Death to my hometown
UPDATE: Oct.2, 17:38
Just received word from my source from yesterday who broke this story to me for my readers here that all but two (who couldn't be reached) firefighters in our Coleman Fire Department and all of our Hillcrest Fire Department firefighters have turned in their pagers today, as well. They've all walked out. No word yet on Bellevue.
Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
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31 comments:
Is the Blairmore Fire Department (and other VFDs) part of the municipal administration (like Parks & Rec, etc.) with the Chiefs appointed by Council or the CAO? I had the impression they were independent organizations.
WOW.. if this is true. Only my opinion, but I feel that the axe may already be sharpened for the soon to be hired EDO (or a bailout by the same) if they were not to conform. I am only going by past record. Just a mess. How much was spent on consultant reports in the past that targeted micromanaging and are gathering dust on the shelf?
That's dire, to lose your whole Fire Dept. at once. Those folks are hard to replace, and training takes time, as does the experience necessary to function with any competence. Bad news for Blairmore.
It's about time that the Firemen did this. Now maybe council and the CAO will have to sit up and take notice. It was done once before, and things got better. Maybe all the Fire Departments should follow suit.
I am disgusted that Jamie was fired. I am ashamed to have this council in charge of our lives.
BFD was responsible for Thunder In The Valley. Get the big picture. All 4 fire departments have always been completetly volunteer. Soladarity is be soon to follow, as they did during Rumrunners Days. I don't even want to get into the knee jerk reaction coming down the pipe from council on this issue. This is going to cost.
The reason for my question in the first post above: the RCMP asked who "owns" TitV and after much research Council answered that the Blairmore Fire Department owns the trademark TitV.
If the muni has the authority to fire the BFD Chief, doesn't that mean that the BFD is part of the municipal government, so the muni "owns" TitV?
-Confused in CNP.
Wow. Where to begin?? As a recent previous Volunteer Fire Fighter, I have to say that this is absolute ludicrous. We as VOLUNTEER departments VOTE in our chiefs and etc. So, What is the reasoning behind this? What right did they have to do this? I am sure I'm not alone when I say that they had no right at all. Kudos to the rest of the department for standing behind their Chief, good for you sticking to the unspoken brotherhood. I am at a loss for words. I'd sure like to see that petition come out from the Rate Payers sooner than later .....
Council.... Tsk tsk tsk
The shit just keeps on happening.....Seems like every week there's 1 or 2 things that occur that further drive the nails into this mayor and council's coffin.
Somethings to think about:
1. Years back when I was on council I remember the cost of operation for all our 'volunteer' fire departments was in the neighbourhood of approx. $200,000 annually, while Fernie's 'professional' fire department at that time was costing them $2 million. The last I heard our present bill (because of our now being top heavy in management?) is $800K and climbing. Now, the way things are going, if we soon find ourselves paying for a 'professional' fire department(s) what's that bill going to be for us taxpayers? In the millions?
2. Jamie Margetek as well as many others in our local fire departments are also municipal employees. How is this all going to pan out?
JP
Council cancelled TITV because of safety concerns. In their minds, does not losing a fire department(s) count as a safety concern?
Diane
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Calgary-Sun/131068450250444
"I just wanted to get the attention of the Sun on an issue in the Crowsnest Pass today. A 34 year volunteer firefighter (fire chief) was fired for reasons other than just cause. Reasons that are completely, seemingly fabricated. After the municipal council made the decision to cancel the Blairmore Fire Departments 19th Annual Thunder In The Valley fireworks display, they have been looking for ways to remove the head of the Blairmore Fire Department and anyone who is not willing to be bullied by the current mayor and his puppets. Tonight municipal officials called a meeting with Station 24 (Blairmore Fire Department), explaining what had happened. All 11 members who were able to make the emergency meeting, turned in their pagers, quitting the department at the disgust of how a 34 year volunteer was treated."
Tiffany Anne Krish
john these people u spoke so highly of at the fire safe meeting with all the free food how you praised them now what do you think of people who speak with forked tougues mr munshaw was brouught in to do the same job as in charlie lakeget rid of people who have backbones and love their community now they can places cold hearted people to do their bidding
I am going to assume that by the end of the week all fireman in the Pass will have resigned.The Mayor thinks he is in power, but I doubt that the fireman will give in easily. I hope that they ask for the Mayors resignation (and maybe all of council) for them to continue.
It also says on Facebook that the Swimming pool board members were also terminated.12 more months till the next election, but hey you all asked and voted for change.
All of these leads to one very important question. Who or what is next?
I hope the media gives this the same "fair" coverage that they did with previous councils.
Dean Ward
he wasnt fired, he quit
Mixed feelings about this post. I would like to have a bit more information (facts) about the reasons the chief was "fired". Being emotionally removed from the whole thing a person like me would see the resignation of all 11 volunteers and the abandonment of Blairmore's fire station as a sign that the crew was dedicated to the leader, (which is almost cult like), not the town.
Born and raised in CNP, and forced to leave because there were no jobs, I am disgusted that THIS is what is taking up the time of the counsel and members of my beloved home. But again, I would like to see more facts. The team on counsel (must have??) had a pretty good reason to terminate his employment.
But then again, there is very little fact out there for people like me to use to form an educated opinion, and what i have is just that, an opinion.
Anon @8:54
Forked tongues is right. I specifically asked those guys how things were going, as I had my concerns, and was told more or less that everything was "peachy". Not so! :-(
Following up in Dean's comment above: They told people to not vote for me because I might 'stir' things up. True enough. Stirred, but not 'shaken'. As what you have landed up with.
This, I hope, teaches people to never again vote for a name, not knowing the man. For like they say, it is better to have the devil you know, than the one you don't.
JP
Reliable info:
From Facebook: Press Release
Effective October 1st, Station Chief Margetak has been relieved of his active duty. This action has prompted conclusion of additional fire service members from the Blairmore Station. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to advise the public that a contingency plan is in place and a protocol has been established to ensure the ultimate safety of the public while the transition takes place. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to thank Chief Margetak for the years of dedication and service and wishes to thank also those fire fighters that remain on active duty.
To anon 9:23 He was relieved of his duty.He was fired!!
Chief margetak dedicated more hours as a volunteer to our community then idiots like myron thompson, albert headrick, and marion vanoni have put in paid hours put together. The man coached minor hockey for years. he was on the executive for the junior hockey team. He was a main part in thunder in the valley. All this time was volunteered by him. You don’t think he could have been doing other things? Now sit back and think of all the people influenced by this mans dedicated time. Not to mention all the fires and instances where this guy and his crew volunteered their lives and time at? And now after 34 years you release him? Could this possibly have something to do with the fact that the town cancelled thunder in the valley? They put a pile of money into rum runner days this year. I didn’t come down but I’m glad there were more port potties then there were people. Everyone give your head a shake... this council is a disease, myron thompson and his crew belong on the god damn short bus with a helmet on.
Word of what is happening here is spreading like a wildfire (excuse the pun).
Blairmore Fire Chief relieved of duty, volunteer firefighters resign
JP
Alberta gov’t to examine town’s spending habits.
Crowsnest Ratepayers Assocaition
Things are getting 'really' bad. Dean is now quoting former Mayor Irwin on his blog. :-X :-(
just a quick little note to say that i am on one of those departments and we have not handed in our pagers "yet "(being the key word)
I hope the mysterious company from Quebec hears about this! They'd be stupid to move here.
Global News
Crowsnest firefighters mass resignation
Firechief Firing Fallout - CTV Lethbridge - Oct.02/12
In response to anonymous about "Being Cult Like" it is a Brotherhood, these people put their lives on the line & rely on each other to make sure they all go home to their families uninjured & alive, Military & Police Personnel live by the same code. The additional Fire Fighters that resigned are showing Solidarity because of that code & they do not believe that the Chief was let go for just cause. These Fire Fighters have the courage to go out & help people in circumstances that most people cannot comprehend not only fighting fires but attending accident scenes that may involve death severed body parts etc. it takes special people to do that. Making an anonymous comment about such things is totally disrespectful in my opinion.
You stated that they must have good reason to fire the Chief but according to council that information will not be released, one has to wonder if they are not releasing information because they have something to hide, it would be good for all to know why & then people could draw their own conclusions & not speculate as to why. It would also be good damage control if council could show that they had just cause for dismissal. I am a former resident also but still care about what we call home as we still have Family & Friends that live there. We have always thought that we would come back to retire but at this rate there maybe nothing to come back to. This is just what the CNP needs more negative press. Nothing like discouraging people to move there. This is just my opinion
This does not sound promising for the community. I have spent alot of time in CNP as of late with full intention on buying our holiday home in the town with hopes of spending our summers there. Just ready to make an offer on a home and have now decided to put that on hold.
I do not know the whole story but I do know one thing.. Not investing in CNP unless I see change! I hope that all of this gets sorted out for the towns sake. Good bye for now. Looking elsewhere!
CBC News - Calgary
Blairmore fire chief dismissed, several staff quit in solidarity
Hope Timmy doesn't fall down the well, 'cause it'll be up to Lassie to save him.
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