Babies Born June 2006 #24

[Smoke Jaguar]

Jess - from what you've mentioned in the past, he may have been held back by a police check, which is very much standard when you put your name down. Also, some brigades do have wait lists - terrible situation, but there are brigades that the authority looks at and says "you have this many members, this is the gear you'll get, this is the training you'll be funded for", so that the brigade feels forced to limit the intake because to give those additional people gear and training will be an out of pocket expense for that brigade. Many brigades just don't have those funds. 3 months ago would have been prime to process paperwork because it's a quiter time of year, so it may well not be a case of them being lazy...although I wouldn't discount this, either, I have heard of some VERY recalcitrant brigades! Mine isn't one of them But we are often accused of being 'the big house' - jealous brigades that we are absolutely on top of our training and they lag because training officers need a good kick...
I know how you feel about feeling helpless (and I don't mean this season because of Oscar). I joined because I was sick of being in this area in summer, hearing the siren and being reminded that another year had passed without me making good on my promise to join...so one year, when I was nursing a broken heart, I decided that distraction was the best remedy - it worked a treat! 5 years on...it's a family affair ETA: But IKWYM about wanting to help. Unfortunately, insurance jitters from the authority mean that hands on help at the fire station is out, but the website does suggest some ways to help.