But back to the Trust Fund that will be needed to fund full SS benefits after 2017. This money is not sitting in some bank account, it was ‘loaned’ to the government. Which will mean that the government will have to borrow more money starting in 2017 in order to pay back the trust fund obligation in order to pay full SS benefits. Which will mean further large increases in the national debt.

Insolvent? Technically not until 2041. But there really is not a viable plan in place to deal with 2017 – which is only 8 years from now.

I admit, I’m weak, but I only have a certain amount of willpower, and I prefer to allocate that to doing other unpleasant things like cleaning the toilet or my gutters.

Apparently any attempt at defense of what I consider to be rightly earned and negotiated benefits is seen as protectionist and greedy. You are all entitled to your opinion I suppose. I just think you are wrong.

However, I can not stand the misinformation that is perpetrated on this blog at times.

I am not going to AGAIN go over our overtime situation, however, remember that when the year end tallies are made, those 5 people in the top of the 10 highest paid are paid by the STATE OF CALIFORNIA for STRIKE TEAMS, not by the city. And for gods sake, I wish we got a flat overtime rate per week. Patently false.

The slowest station in Oakland by the way averages more than 1 call a day, but they are an anomaly, and serve an area that would take other companies more than 15 minutes to get to. The average OFD station averages 2500 calls per year. The busiest averages more than 4000 per year.

I am sick of the Fire Department being the first place that all of the cities in the US cut. We cannot always do more with less. Cut somewhere else for once. Or make other departments pay more.

if you would like to continue the conversation off this forum, feel free to email me at concernedoakff at hot mail.

1) Public pensions & retiree benefits are much better than anybody in the private sector can reasonably hope to expect, even those with college degrees and skills.
2) These superior benefits come even though the position pays MORE than the median college degree holder’s job, AND at the same time is more secure (your point about private sector employment paying more is incorrect; again, the median college degree holder’s salary is almost exactly $60,000). Risk-adjusted, that means you earn far more.
3) These benefits, while you may believe them to be appropriate, are unsupportable by the tax base, not only here but in municipalities/states across the country. (Look at the recent news regarding New York’s budget, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc)
4) Finally, your point that it takes 5-7 years to get in PROVES the fact that these jobs are desirable. Not too many people are willing to work for 5-7 years to get one particular job. Ergo, the pay & benefits are more than sufficient for the job. QED.

As an addendum, your argument about health effects is simply an assertion. I have seen no evidence that being a fireman or cop significantly shortens one’s life. I’d love to see some hard evidence that this is so. (of course one could argue that retiring at 50 makes up for that, but set that aside for the moment).

You are correct that I would not be a fireman. However, my arguments hold whether or not you think I am envious of your benefits. They are simply unsupportable by the tax base, and with the typical fireman/cop’s income, you should be able to and expected to save for your own retirement, LIKE THE REST OF US. No matter what you think, you are in the top quartile of earners, and those of us in that segment in the private sector are not only expected to work for 40+ years, but we’re also expected to save for our own retirement and get a pittance from Social Security (if it even exists for top earners in the future; I have my doubts because it, like your pensions, are unsupportable in their current forms).

You’re whining about not being able to sleep while you’re on the clock getting paid.

You’re complaining about getting paid an OT wage of AT LEAST $62/hour, with a flat rate overtime payment per pay period — whether you actually work overtime or not. Meanwhile, five of Oakland’s top 10 highest-paid employees work for OFD — making at least a quarter-million per year. You won’t see that in any other city in Alameda County.

You’re bellyaching that every workday for you is a Friday (i.e. one day on followed by two days off). You don’t mention the RDO (required day off) you get.

You’re deliberately not mentioning the stations in the hills that average less than one call a day. Some stations average less than one call per WEEK.

You’re moaning about “cardiac issues” while ignoring engineers and officers whose guts hang over their turnout pants. Lack of sleep doesn’t cause that; steaks & caesars every night does. OFD culture and leadership allow it continue.

But what’s really off-putting is your contention that “We have a free and open society that allows you to make your own career choices based on what is best for you.” Really? Those kids slinging rock in the 60′s chose to do that instead of going to Harvard Law? That single mom working two minimum-wage jobs while going to Merritt opted to do that instead of doing business strategy consulting for Bain & Co.? Really? Your comments betray an astounding ignorance of the realities of this country and this city.

Seriously, COFF, stop. Stop making your hole deeper. There are a lot of good people in OFD who read this blog, and your comments are not reflecting well on them or the department. You don’t represent them, and you certainly don’t represent OFD. Maybe you should spend less time defending an organization and culture that you yourself admit is flawed, and direct your efforts at making OFD a better department. I know that everyone who reads this blog would be happier with a better OFD.

I am not sure I understand your points. Our benefits are negotiated amounts agreed upon by the union and the city.

If you desire the same benefits, the opportunity to become a member of a Fire or Police department is open to everyone that is physically capable.

The reality is, I am hearing a real sour note of jealously in many of these comments, when often times these same people can not, or would not do our job.

We have a free and open society that allows you to make your own career choices based on what is best for you. If you choose to be a day trader, you may have a great salary, but poor job prospects or retirement.

If you choose private employment, you may recieve higher pay, but may be laid off.

You also will, by and large, not be exposed to carcinogeic substaces and illnesses that we can (and sometime do) take home to our families and kids.

When people spend on average 5-7 years trying to enter the Fire Department (I tested with 14 other departments before I was hired in Oakland) they have an opportunity to receive what is admittedly generous benefits.

However, the job takes a huge toll on the minds and bodies of the people who are in the occupation, far beyond what basic statistics can show. When most Oakland Fire stations average 3-4 responses between Midnight and 0700 in the morning (some stations are more like 5-6 calls, basically 1 hour of sleep), the repeated lack of sleep leads to innumerable sleep and physical disorders, namely cardiac issues. When then have that next day off to recover (most of us go to sleep when we get back, killing that day) sleep one night at home, have one day at home, sleep at home that night and then go back at 0600 to do it all over again.

When people then work a trade or overtime (often manditory, which means you are not allowed to go home, no matter what you had to do that day) they are in the Fire Station for anywhere from 48 to 168 hours straight.

I personally have had weeks when I was not ALLOWED to go home for 5 days straight, and was able to get about 10 hours of sleep in 5 DAYS – TOTAL.

I am not complaining. I made the effort, and the choice to join the Oakland Fire Department. I love my job. I also think that we deserve every benefit that we receive.