Dear Editor,
I am the proud wife of a Captain on the Hollywood Fire Department and a resident in the City of Hollywood for more than 12 years now. For the past 18 years of being married, I have grown to love the fire department family that has become a huge part of our lives. We attend each other’s weddings, birthday parties, BBQs, baby showers and even close family members’ funerals.
Having the privilege of being a part of this family has allowed me to learn a great deal about their values and how much they contribute to our community. Through the many stories I have listened to regarding their experiences at work, I have been exposed to the harrowing details of their job, which the common citizen isn’t aware of. Whether it’s the memory of a fatality because of a gruesome car accident or the details of a horrific murder scene, I have heard the pain in their voices as they recall these experiences. I remember a phone call at 2 a.m. from a fellow fire wife who needed help because her firefighter husband was distraught after attending the funeral of a 2 year old who had been run over by a car. He was on the scene and witnessed her tiny body as it lay on the street lifeless. His memory forever traumatized. My husband responded to a call only to have gun shots fired at his rescue unit by some maniac. It’s not uncommon for them to try to help someone suffering from drug abuse, only to have that individual become out of control, violently attacking them or spitting in their faces. The risk of being exposed to and contracting dangerous communicable diseases is always present in their line of work.
So you see, climbing a tree to save a cat is just a pretty picture that has been painted in our minds, but I know the real truth. Firefighters serve our City 365 days a year, on every holiday and through every hurricane. When they pin that badge of honor to their chests, they do it with pride and confidence ready to lay their lives on the line at any given moment.
Therefore, it absolutely saddens me beyond belief that our City has abruptly reduced their salaries without warning. I know in these tough economic times it’s easy to question the level of compensation these public safety employees receive. On the surface, it seems as if they are well paid for their employment with the City of Hollywood. But before any judgment or criticism is rendered, one must consider all of the facts. It is not widely known that these employees pay a significant amount for their benefits. Hefty contributions from each paycheck go toward their health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance benefits.
Their pension isn’t free either. A member’s pension contribution is more than double the amount state employees are required to make. I feel as if they earn all of these benefits through their valuable service to our City. As a resident, this injustice doesn’t sit well with me. Our city leaders are aware that we are in tough economic times, yet they continue to fund projects which deplete the City’s emergency funds and require reductions to employee salaries. We have police and fire employees working for $13 an hour while the City spends $700,000 on a project to paint a water tower. The City spends millions of dollars on projects to beautify the beach, yet these expenditures will do little to increase revenue to the City. Our public safety employees keep the streets safe, and that’s what draws business to Hollywood. If crime rates increase, business will be scared away no matter how pretty our sidewalks are. Without a doubt, these employees have earned their pay. Do we need another reminder of how willing these servants are to sacrifice their lives to keep us safe or was 9/11 enough?
I will close this letter by first expressing my sincere apology to the Hollywood Fire Department. I am sorry for the massive amount of stress that you are enduring from the major pay cut the City has imposed upon you. Considering a firefighter ranks on the top 10 list of most stressful and dangerous jobs, you certainly don’t need any added pressures.
Times are tough enough in this economy and just as my family is suffering, I know yours are too. Let’s all remember to stay strong together as a family and fight through this challenge.
I also want to thank my fellow firefighter brothers’ and sisters’ for opening your hearts and sharing your stories with me over the years. Thank you for devoting yourselves to our community and serving this City with pride and honor. Thank you for the sleepless nights and hard work and the many ways you give of yourselves every day. Thank you for all the memories you have given me. Thank you for touching the lives of my children and their friends when you attend their schools to educate them on fire safety. Thank you for ALL you do to contribute in this life. You will forever have respect in my eyes and a special place in my heart.
I am proud to call myself the wife of a firefighter, just as I know you are proud to wear that badge of honor!
Sincerely,
Kristi Huddleston
Hollywood resident
