Guru

Dear Guru,

I feel that I must write to you to let you know, if you didn't already, that your comments have caused quite a stir amongst our fraternity.

My wife, herself an HR manager, spotted the article a few weeks ago and promptly passed it to me. At first I thought that it highlighted the abysmal treatment by our employers and HR managers of the three long-serving and experienced firefighters in question. But, the more that I read it, the more I believe that you have spoken out of turn in your effort to sound witty and journalistic.

Specifically, your statement that "Firefighters have long been known for getting paid to push out the Zs, in between games of pool and attending discos with nurses and WPCs" is quite baffling and has actually made you sound quite a tw*t.

As you probably have no knowledge of the new and improved post-strike Fire Service, can I suggest that you make every effort to make more of an informed and responsible comment about us in future? We in Greater Manchester have been suffering for a number of years from poor management and a lack of consistency, understanding and common sense from our HR department. Your comments add to a general belief that HR professionals are not that professional.

Puppets, unable to speak for themselves and subservient to their paymasters' wishes could be more apt. A mini SS, if you like.

Or, maybe I underestimate you! Your statement that we attend discos with nurses and WPCs does strike a chord. This was quite prevalent 10 years ago. Did something happen to you that you never quite got over...? Sore about something maybe?

Anyway, your column is sh*t. Firefighter Magazine, the magazine read by actual professionals, highlighted your comments. It was not kind in its response, so please don't underestimate the effect that your comments have made.

By the way, don't let this e-mail worry you. I will still come to your assistance if you have a house fire, become trapped in a car crash, are unfortunate to become involved in a flooding, aircrash or train crash, or even a terrorist action, whether it involves explosives, chemicals, nuclear or biological risks. I'll not judge you.

I may well have had no sleep for 40-odd hours due to the rest/sleep/beds/chairs issue, but I can always deal with you first and then go home to try and look after my two kids. By the way, do you want a rested and refreshed firefighter at your door at 3am when you need them - or death incarnate?

Let's not get into a discussion about people who do shifts and don't rest, wages, employee relations etc, because you just don't know the half of what goes on by the sounds of it.

In the Oxford English discionary, the definition of Guru is: "Influential or revered teacher." But I have found a couple of appropriate titles for you other than Guru.

Goof: "Foolish or stupid person."

Or how about Mollusc: "Invertebrate with soft body and usually a hard shell."

I can't believe I've wasted an hour's sleep writing this to you...

Regards,

The Gaffer: "Foreman or boss" (or chief electrician in a film unit)

Or probably both, Guru assumes.