Derry News Hotline:

To the very negative comments directed to the Derry Fire Department on the Feb. 1 Hotline:

It is not difficult to figure out that these foolhardy comments were made from a very angry person with a personal ax to grind. Most of us can see that your bravado is shrouded in your bitterness and envy that you possess of the department; maybe you wanted to be part of the department and just didn't have the true grit or tenacity to do so. I'd be willing to bet that you probably sit in your basement with a fire radio that you purchased on e-Bay, waiting for each and every emergency call so you can chase it down in your little red wagon only to take pictures upon your arrival. Maybe you're the one I see with his own firetruck, driving it around town playing dress-up. The reality of the matter is that you merely get in the way of the real firefighters doing their job. Ironically, you critique these men and women, having no true knowledge of the job or training yourself. Instead of making dim-witted and imbecilic accusations, maybe your time would be better spent servicing the community like (the) targets of your tasteless words (truly) do. Maybe it's time to start evaluating your own futile life choices and stop belittling those with good intentions. I, myself, am grateful, like many others in town, because my son received excellent emergency medical care when he was in a serious car accident. Rather than badmouth the Derry Fire Department, why not try being thankful and offering gratitude to those who risk their lives to protect others every single day.

 

Original Post in the Derry News: Hotline for Feb1

When will our fire chief learn -- our very own Boss Tweed, who loves to regale anyone who will listen to his tales of valor in the big city, how he led the entire Waterbury (Conn.) Fire Department; our fire chief who goes before the Derry town council to educate the simple folk to the ways of the world outside our backwater town; our chief who has an unmarked town car so that he may respond in the middle of the night in the fashion to which he is accustomed -- to save the village from the disastrous fire. Oops, sorry, he turned command over to the lower-ranking officer and the building burned to the ground. No worries, it was only home to three small businesses here in business-friendly Derry. The job of the chief is to lead the Fire Department with strong leadership by example -- Boss Klauber, who told us for years now that the Derry Fire Department is the shining light of leadership and incident command in the state of New Hampshire, the same chief who has sought funding for every gizmo toy out there, continues to show up at fires without his own personal protection gear on, you know: the boots, pants, coats, air pack and helmet you see every firefighter wearing, from rookie to chief — just not our Boss Klauber. Now, I understand he may be looking for a new helmet, as he gave his white helmet with the gold-leaf shield that he signed with his name to the FireHall restaurant when they opened, but don't fret, taxpayers, this value just under $500 probably got listed as lost equipment. Maybe at the next fire he could remember to put his gear on so he can be indentified as the chief and hopefully protect himself from the dangers associated with firefighting. The town does not need to pay out more in workers compensation because the person in charge of the Fire Department, which faces the most daily number of hazards, fails to even protect himself, thereby exposing the entire town to a higher premium due to his carelessness. Perhaps it is time to look for a new chief who is in step with the requirements of running a modern fire department.