Oregon firefiighters lose jobs.....

[GrizzlyGator]

So, whats the deal It's great that they can help and be employeed as firefighters but why not make them learn english...WTF...firing the crew leaders is rediculous$#@$#@%$

Quote:
Fire Crew Bosses Who Can't Speak Spanish Can Lose Jobs
Oregon Begins To Strictly Enforce Language Rule




With 24 major wildfires burning across the southwestern United States, fire officials need every firefighter they can get. They've done that in Oregon, but it's created another problem.

Officials are now having to lay off some of the bosses who manage those firefighting crews because the bosses are not bilingual. Many of the newer hires in Oregon only speak Spanish.

"What we do know is 85 percent of the crew makeup is of Hispanic descent," said Jim Walker, with the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The state said all bosses must speak the same language of their crew on the fire lines for safety reasons. They want to make sure that the leader of the crews can quickly communicate during an emergencey if the fire turns or if there is another problem on the fire lines.

"Our main concern is that they are safe, and they are in a safe environment, and a lot of that deals with communication," Walker said.

Because of the state's language requirement, Jaime Pickering can no longer work as a crew boss and supervise 20 firefighters. He can only manage a squad of four firefighters.

"If you have one Spanish guy on the crew, as an English crew boss, you can no longer be a crew boss. You have to step back to a squad boss, which is a demotion," Pickering said.

The state of Oregon actually made the change in 2003, after a devastating wildfire season in 2002 had contractors scrambling to find help. The state just started strictly monitoring the law this year, as Hispanics continued to fill fire lines.

"I think the (rule) is good, because that's for safety purpose," said Manuel Franco, who is a contractor for fire crews. He thinks the state's rule is necessary for worker safety.

"If there's a rock rolling down, everybody should understand that," Franco said.

But he does wish it were different.

"We're living here. We should speak the language," he said.

So why couldn't the state require that these crew members speak English? The state doesn't have a clear answer.

"If it comes down to a safety issue, and it's determined that's the only way we can have people safely on an incident, then yes," Walker said.

[Kaw3604x4 Princess]

That is a load of crap.

[flt mech]

I say we leave this country for another.  Maybbe we can start pushing our beliefs and such on them.....OOOHHH....how bout France, I'm sure we can get them to bend to our needs...lol...ha  ha.  But seriously that is a buuuuunch of B^&*%^&#$#$SH*(^*(%&T.

[dj_pizzim]

wow I guess when there is a Yob to fill you have to fill the Yob

[AintSkeered]

Whre are the English-speaking applicants for those firefighting jobs? Are they too busy demanding tax cuts and then wondering what's happening to them?

[Slick89]

Thats a load of crap! Just like if you want to become a legal citizen and you dont speak english you can get a translator to help you take the test. Thats BS...

[logandzwon]

Next time your going to blatantly steal someone else's work at lest remove the disclaimer at the bottom saying not to do so.

[GrizzlyGator]

Next time your going to blatantly steal someone else's work at lest remove the disclaimer at the bottom saying not to do so.

Copyright 2008 by Loagandzwon All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
OOOPS!!!! ha ha ha 

[logandzwon]

Next time your going to blatantly steal someone else's work at lest remove the disclaimer at the bottom saying not to do so.

Copyright 2008 by Logandzwon All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
OOOPS!!!! ha ha ha 

I hear-by claim copyright to everything, everywhere!! 

[AmericanRobster]

MUCHO BS!!!!

[gtnwood]

We're gonners for sure with society being diluted at every turn and the crooked politicians can only see the immediate dollar in front of their face, kinda like drug dealers

[MedicMudder]

Vampires suck blood to live politicians due it because they in joy it!!!!!!!