Firefighters vs. Linemen

[LostArt]

Out of curiosity, do any of you know what a firefighter working an out-of-state fire makes per hour versus a lineman working an out-of-state storm?
And why do they get more publicity than linemen?

The big news around here is that firefighters are working 16 hour shifts. How many hour shifts do linemen make working storms?

[electric squirrel]

My wife works for the fire department, we make way more money.When they say they work 24 hours on, they arent actualy working the whole time,unlike a line crew on a 32.

I 've talked to them guys at her station , they spend alot of time on call but not actualy doing anything,yard work , polishing the trucks,inspecting equipment,that kind of stuff.

When your on a line crew out on storm you might be working for 40 or more hours.The most I ever did was for Diversified a couple years ago 52 hours stright,the most 32 hour shifts was 6 in a row.

The fireman get the recognition because the media likes them,they like the media.

If you made a habit of being in a fire everyday and having to be in a burning house ten hours a day then you might be on the same level as a lineman.

We put on the hooks or sleeve up and get into the middle of the storm for 8 to 10 hours a day 6 to 7 days a week,everyday.We dont wait around for something to happen then go respond like the fire department.

I respect them, but being a lineman is way harder...............:cool: E.S.

[LostArt]

Swamp, you never disappoint me buddy! :D I told the Boss you would be first to post!


I showed the Boss this last night:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2007-05-16-power-shortage-cover_N.htm


He has been a grump since the fires have started around here. It's not that he doesn't have respect for firefighters, he does. But, the point was they do get paid to work these fires just as a linemen get paid to do his storm work.

As you say Swamp, you can't compare the two as for as their trade goes. But, what is interesting to me is they are BOTH in a shortage crisis. Yep, they surely are. Wouldn't have heard about all the firestations being shut down or not being built if it wasn't for the fires in the news. Aaaahh.........the news, never a shortage of that, is there??? :D

When firestations shut down there will be no firefighters. When there are no linemen, what becomes of our electricity/power?

[PA BEN]

When I was 22 I worked on a DNR Fire crew, It was a hot dry summer that year. And someone was going around started fires. You run to the fire get your adrenalin up for hours. Cool rush, but once the fire is out you spend long boring hour’s, even days mopping up [putting out hot spots]. We have grunts for that. Firemen have big egos. They think they are the S#!T we know we are the S#!T.:cool:

[Koga]

They are the media darlings, and Im happy for em. I know a few personally and they are great guys. I've heard them comment on several occassions , "you're crazy I wouldn't do that S#%^ for anything" While I personally can't say the same thing about thier job. Ask em when the last time they left there home and family for a month or two at a time, to go work 18 to 20 hour days for ????? With out a break. In some place ???? hundreds of miles away, just to hear someone ***** because they didn't have electricity 5 days ago. And tommorrow you get to wake up at 4 am and do it all again. And again and next big storm again, next year again.In all kinds of beutiful weather. Yes they do have a hard job sometimes. And the media always like the big quick :eek: pictures. My job is to get the power on to whole towns with out making the evening news.

[500 KVA]

In my opinion a firefighter is a hero. He runs into a burning house where the entire environment is out to kill you.

It's hotter than hell. You cannot see anything. You don't know where you are and the floor could be gone or the roof come down at any second.

Burning alive takes longer than getting blasted by current and going unconscious. Either way isn't appealing.

Anyway they may not be working quite the same as a lineman, but when they do have to work it is way more intense both physically and mentally.

I don't think linemen are heros. They do their job and get paid well.

Firemen do their jobs and don't get paid much because government budgets don't allow civil servants to be paid what they are worth.

As for the B.S from some nut eater sitting in a tree. It is just all B.S. Firemen should get more than they do. A lot more! They are hero's! Linemen are just utility workers getting the lights back on. Firemen pull your ass out of hell and save your home if they can. And they try!

[Bull Dog]

All i know is when the pole is on fire the fireman hand me the hose! Look at the death and injury rates who's are higher. Now if the fireman is a firewoman the media dosen't pay any attention to the males. Ive been on fire calls were there were 10 reporters circling around the only female there. I asked one of the males whats up with that. He responded we like it cause they leave us alone so we can do our jobs. We are the ones that don't get the credit but thats ok cause they leave us alone so we can do our jobs. Had one firefighter in an ambulance one time they told me I didn't shut off the power and one of there men was hurt and they thought I was at fault. I called bull **** right on the spot. The captain said he would investigate and there might be a problem. I checked there electrical generator and equipment.They had a 4plex out let box submurged in a puddle of water with all there lights pluged in. I asked there electrical person why there was no gfi on the circuit he responded we took it out cause it kept tripping. I told my boss that and he laughed. They can deal with all kinds of fire but when it comes to the electric there pretty bad sometimes. Also to the person who said buring alive is worse I got news for you son lineman have been burt alive too and blown all to hell you name it so dont give me that ****.

[shaun]

THAT'S IT FELLAS, we need a calendar. Maybe then we'll get some repect! :rolleyes:

[PA BEN]

There isn’t a lineman around that wouldn’t run into a burning building to save a life.

[electric squirrel]

Ben, some of us have,,,,,,,E.S.

[LostArt]

THAT'S IT FELLAS, we need a calendar. Maybe then we'll get some repect! :rolleyes:

Uhhh.................what kind of calendar is that Shaun? :D

[PA BEN]

Uhhh.................what kind of calendar is that Shaun? :D
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s276/PABEN07/100_0363.jpg

[LostArt]

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s276/PABEN07/100_0363.jpg

LOL!

Caption:

"No Lineman Left BEHIND!!!"

:D

[shaun]

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s276/PABEN07/100_0363.jpg

Der ya go PA! Perfect one! October perhaps?? And the caption could read," yeah...ok... so where do yous guys wanna go to eat"? ;)

Honestly, just was goof'n around LA. As stated above, there's not a Lineman out there that wouldn't run into a burning building to help out and it's a shame that all people know is ,"if I flip this switch, the lights come on." They have no idea of what goes into it all. (not to mention that alot of lineman are also volunteer firefighters.)

[LostArt]

Der ya go PA! Perfect one! October perhaps?? And the caption could read," yeah...ok... so where do yous guys wanna go to eat"? ;)

Oh, and they won't miss a buffet....if they can help it! :D

[tramp67]

Oh, and they won't miss a buffet....if they can help it! :D

Are you offering, LA???:D

[LostArt]

Hey, if you like a good ole fashioned home cooked southern meal, I have been known to throw some of those together from time to time.

I might not talk about cooking......but I can cook Tramp! :p :D