I bet the person who posed the question, James Ford, is the type of person who believes policeman can shoot the gun out of a suspect's hand, from 100 yards away, while diving from a moving car, just like they do on TV. Some people just like to bitch and moan.

 I sure hope Mr. Ford's (question asker) house does not catch fire!  There won't be a firefighter for miles around.......... 

It should be obvious to Mr Ford that these guys are ON duty. That means they can't take their car to grocery shop because if there's a fire, there's one less guy to go fight it. They go as a group to shop, because they might get a call at any second and have to have their equipment with them at all times.

James Ford should think before he speaks... wow.

I love to see the crews out, especially at the Vons at the Marketplace. Nice people.

I would say this, to James Ford ...

Fire personnel are often the first responders on scene of any emergency. That said, I don't care what their fuel costs are.

Maybe you and Nick B. can chip in together and buy a shovel ... but you might be too afraid to use it.

"Maybe you and Nick B. can chip in together and buy a shovel ... but you might be too afraid to use it."

LOVE IT VANITY!!!!

Thanks, OB. I don't hear much of that around here.

 They have that truck with em in case they are called out to maybe save your life.  Would you rather for them to drive back to the station to get the truck? If you live close to that location and ever be in need of the Fire Department, you may be glad they are a little closer to your location. Now, can't you come up with anything better to bitch about. I was with K.C.F.D. as a call Fireman from 78 to 88.

They could very well be doing Fire inspections also and taking a lunch break.  It's a very, good idea to think before opening your mouth with such stupid comments JF.

If called, they drop what they are doing and go!

Murphy

PS: be careful with that thar shovel, I'm willing to bet, he doesn't know which end to hold LOL

 That made me think, back in the 80's we had this big shot that cause a wreck out on Hwy 46 because the idiot couldn't wait to pass.  After we got on the scene of the wreck this big shot in a suit came up to me and demanded, that I drive him into Bakersfield in the Fire Truck because I was a public servant and it was my place to drive him to the location of the meeting he was late for, I told him there was no way we were going to drive him into town.  Damn he was mad at all of us for putting him in such a mess and told us, he was going to report us for not doing as he demanded. ;=)))

After this jerk saw that he wasn't getting anywhere with us, he started in on the CHP.  He was told that after the wreck was taken care of and not before, that he'd give him the ride into town.  The next time I saw that CHP, he said that this guy was so hot headed over having to wait, that he just wouldn't shut up, so, when The CHP got to 46 and I-5, he let him out at a pay phone, the CHP didn't wish to hear it all the way into Bakersfield.

Maybe this is the same one complaining or of the same caliber.

 Thank you firefighters for the work that you do. Thank you for protecting Kern County homes, businesses, and people.  Knott's Berry Farm wants to say thank you also.  These details are from their Special Events  link.

Fire and Police Salute   Thanksgiving Day - December 21, 2008
Knott's Annual event honoring Fire & Police Personnel. With proper ID presented at Knott's (employee ID card, paycheck, etc.) fire and police personnel plus one guest can receive free admission. Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $15 each.   

KBF also wants to honor military personnel. 

 Veteran's Tribute  November 1 - Thanksgiving Day   Knott's annual tribute to our Military, past and present. Veterans or current serving military personnel plus one guest get in FREE with proper ID presented at Knott's turnstile (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID.)
Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $15 each.  

What a silly man with such silly questions. You all fell for it this is a joke......RIGHT? No one would really ask this as a serious question would they? I thinks this was a joke, because no one with a shred of intelligence would assK such a stupid question. Even my 8 year old son told me why fireman have that 5mpg red truck (engine) at the gym and g-store. If this is a serious question then my teachers lied to me when they said there is no such thing as s stupid question.

notmyfault, lets not overlook the fact that TBC answered that question.

Speaking of asking a question, I have one.

Dear askthecalifornian. Whenever my wife and I go out for Mexican food I always order beans with my entree. Later that night I seem to be sort of "gassy". Why is that?

It's the rice OB.  That's one of the biggest and best kept secrets.  People are always picking on the poor beans when all they do is provide protein.  Cheeesch.

JAmes Ford- Why don't you volunteeer to run their errands and grocery shop?  Being a concerned citizen and all........

I haven't spoke on any topics for a long time, but this one cracks me up.  Ford is probably one of those men who asks why police officers take their cars home.  If you ask a BPD officer, they'll tell you they respond to calls before their shift begins, and calls on their way home.  And probably 99% of the time, there on their own time not getting paid to go to those calls before and after their shift.  They'll tell you they do it because they are officers and it's their job and who they are.  The take home car policy serves just that.  It allows them to be visible and available as much as possible.  It's the same for firefighters.  The only differences are they are in teams, and their "car" costs a little more.  I don't know about you FORD, but I believe there is no price on human life.  I don't care if that fire truck gets 1 MPG, and those firefighters or police officers sit at that resteraunt for 3 hours, if they are available and ready to act when needed, I'm very comfortable with that. And for all the crappy citizens they've put up with, the long nights they've endured, and the tragic accidents they've seen and been in, if they decide to take a break, so be it.   They've earned it.  

 Thank You.

Here's a video of firefighters running errands on our dime.

http://www.youtube.com/watc... 

It looks like they are ready to go at a moment’s notice while on duty.