“True Colors” Brother and Sisterhood in the Toledo Fire Department

Last week, the members of the Toledo Fire Department were faced with a very difficult decision. Along with the decisions they made at fires and on EMS runs which affect life and death and the preservation of property, they had to decide on the shape of the Brother and Sisterhood of the department. The question: “Let 125 young firefighters get laid off and for the remaining brothers and sisters with seniority, keep their well deserved pay-raises, pension pick-ups and reduced healthcare costs OR vote to keep the younger brothers and sisters on the job and take significant pay cuts.” Over $3,000,000 worth I read.
On the other hand, the Police, facing the same layoff number voted to let the “kids” get laid off! In other words, “I got mine – go yet yours” and turned down the concessions! Apparently, “Toledo’s finest” are not really that fine!
I am very proud to say that I was once a part of the Toledo Fire Department and part of “Toledo’s bravest”. They have their problems to be sure! What department doesn’t? But when the question of the brotherhood and sisterhood was thrown in their face, they supported each other! They showed their true colors and I am pleased to say that “Brother and Sisterhood” lives and breathes in the TFRD! I’d crawl down the hall with any of them.