Fire Rescue News - Mayor wants to ban term 'firefighter'

Friday, April 01 2011 @ 04:02 pm EDT

Contributed by: CBrining

Firerescue News

Official says there are a number of more politically correct terms available

By FireRescue1 Staff

POYET SPRINGS, Calif. — A mayor has sparked outrage by proposing the city's fire department drop the name "firefighter" to describe members, claiming the term "fighter" has negative connotations.

Mayor Shirley U. Jest says there are a number of more politically correct terms that would.....Continiue Reading 

 better reflect the role of fire department members in the 21st century.

She says changing the term would attract different types of people into the fire service.

"I first thought of the idea after reading how some people refer to the fire service as being '100 years of tradition unimpeded by progress.'"

"I know that this could be controversial — and that some people may criticize me for not concentrating on things like budget issues here – but this is something that's troubled me for a while."

When pressed on alternatives for a new term, Mayor Jest suggested "fire-dousers," "flame-reducers," or even "EMS specialists" would better fit the bill and would be readily accepted by the members of the city fire department.

Another benefit, she said, is the name change could mean the fire department moves away from the "A-type" personalities it typically attracts.

"There's plenty of other letters in the alphabet, so why are fire departments always filled with the same personality-types?" Mayor Jest said.

"I actually prefer to avoid appointing A-types to my office. They can be a little loud and too action-oriented. With the quieter types, it allows me to sit in my office and come up with ideas to make this city better without being bothered with annoyances like inadequate staffing and equipment."

Mayor Jest said she hopes the name change could come into effect by April 1, 2012.

This April Fools Joke was taken from the news source stated above. It's content and comments are not necessarily the opinion of The Elwood Vol. Fire Company or it's members.  

  (We like the term "Firefighter" or "Combustion Termination Specialists" lol)


Posted by sueg on Saturday, April 02, 2011 12:27 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Caught the joke as soon as I saw the Mayor's name. Thank you for having such a great staff who can keep giving us the need-to-know articles and also have a great sense of humor to keep us grounded, too.
Posted by tlennis on Saturday, April 02, 2011 12:06 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Hey, what is there in the fire service that could be considered politically correct- NADA! On the other hand, a politically correct term for most Mayors should be " Chief Political Idiot- Local"
Posted by MGIND53 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:50 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
I loved it! Caught me completely off guard. You should have heard me walking around my house using politically incorrect responses and saying what kind of a MORON this mayor must be. I had to laugh when my wife said what is wrong with you, and when I told her she started laughing and said do you realize it is April fools day! Nice One!!!!
Posted by DANNYL799 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:35 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Please tell me that this was an April's Fools joke. I can't even forward this to anybody, because it's so unbelievable that it can't be real.
Posted by snipe609 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:22 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
FIRE THIS LADY! FIRST SEND HER TO A SHRINK AND HAVE HER CHECKED FOR MENTAL ILLNESS! THIS LADY IS IN HER OWN LITTLE WORLD....
Posted by rgp944 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:21 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
That is why they call April 1st April Fools Day.
Posted by FIREFIGHTER340 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:11 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
The mayor needs to do thier job and deciding to change a title that has been around for over a hundred years is not one of them! Thank god this person is not the mayor of baltimore because he or she would get eaten alive and be on the outside looking in real quick! Fire-dousers and flame reducer are you kidding me! Mayor with all due respect finish up with your coloring book and your happy meal and do your job us FIREFIGHTERS will worry about our job and what titles we perfer you should be more concerned with comming up with funds to staff and support your fire departments NOT trying to change our titles because you think it's not politically correct!
Posted by cgironda on Saturday, April 02, 2011 09:47 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Had me up until the "plenty of other letters of the alphabet". Unfortunately I do have to agree with other posts that in this day and age of "lets not hurt anyones feelings" and political correctness, some of this could be reality.
Posted by dovewood on Saturday, April 02, 2011 09:18 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
I think amore appropriate name should be firekillers.
Posted by CDAHLGREN on Saturday, April 02, 2011 08:45 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
I caught the shirley u. jest and written by the staff! Nice Job and you obviously caught a ton of over sensitive guys. I want to go by the title Fire Extinguishinator (our investigators have fancy t-shirts). Honestly - I don't care what I am called as long as the paychecks continue to be good every two weeks!
Posted by FP87-34 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 08:27 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Must be a very small town or she would have more important things to do other than trying to think up names for the town life and property protectors. She needs to be an Obama press secretary. She'll be one of the next town officials to close the fire station cause she didn't spend enough time working on her town budget to cover the expenses of the fire department.
Posted by budpaine on Saturday, April 02, 2011 08:26 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Wonderful prank that went VERY well...and some VERY predictable responses!!!!!! Good one, FR1 folks!
Posted by sandys10@telus.net on Saturday, April 02, 2011 08:05 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Im also a Mayor and Deputy Fire Chief, lady get off your high horses and let the members do their jobs as firefighters. Keep your B.S. out of the fire service.
Posted by firefighter508 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 07:54 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Awesome! The power of good journalism lol!
Posted by w.gowen@verizon.net on Saturday, April 02, 2011 06:44 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
this is perfectly serious...I live in that town...and don't call me Shirley!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by Nathan151 on Saturday, April 02, 2011 06:14 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Oh man I fell for it hook line and sinker. From a former structure saver!!!
Posted by JAMoats on Saturday, April 02, 2011 05:52 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Yep, more bites on this than at a Bassmaster's Tournament......it was great!
Posted by danrlemay@hotmail.com on Saturday, April 02, 2011 05:07 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Hard to believe she actually became Mayor . I give my deepest sympathies to her comunity . Wish them luck with all of there dealings with her on board ,yet again we have a rambo on our hands .
Posted by ROBERT.N.COLE on Saturday, April 02, 2011 05:01 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
NIIIIIICE ONE :)
Posted by pscnorthwest on Saturday, April 02, 2011 04:56 AM Pacific  Report Abuse
Good one, of course with political correctness all the rage, some politico somewhere has probably thought of this!

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Elwood Fire Rescue
https://www.evfc160.com/main/article.php/20110402160239431