Cove Firefighters Seek Civil Service Status

(ed: The following is presented exactly as received)

(CCFF ASSN RELEASE)
The Copperas Cove Professional Fire Fighters Association is excited to announce that they have begun the civic process of bringing a Civil Service Petition to the citizens of Copperas Cove.  Firefighters will be out in the community this week and weekend collecting the minimum number of signatures to bring the Fire Fighter’s Civil Service Law before the community on the November 8th ballot.  We humbly ask that all citizens support the fire fighters and the democratic process of elections by signing our petition to give the citizens the right to vote FOR the Adoption of the Fire Fighter’s Civil Service Law.

The purpose of Civil Service is to secure an efficient fire department composed of capable personnel who are free from political influence.  The system of laws that make up Civil Service ensures the best possible service for the citizens of Copperas Cove and helps the city reduce costs by attracting and retaining quality employees.  Civil Service establishes a fair and non-discriminatory set of rules for hiring, promoting, and disciplinary actions that reduce the city’s liability from frivolous law suits and increase fire fighter and paramedic morale.

Civil Service will not raise taxes, does not require the hiring of any additional personnel, does not require any firefighter to join a union, and does not take any power or authority away from the City, City Manager, Fire Chief, or other supervisors.

Civil Service is a proven system for both fairness and economic growth that has worked for over 90 fire departments all across Texas including Killeen, Temple, Austin, Marshall, Georgetown, Round Rock, El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Houston, and San Marcos.  There has never been any city that has enacted Civil Service that raised taxes as a result of implementing Civil Service.

The Copperas Cove Professional Fire Fighters will be at Dave’s Ice House this Saturday July 30, 2011 starting at 10:00 AM collecting signatures and supporting the Danny Austin Memorial Ride.  We ask that every registered voter in the City of Copperas Cove come out and support the fire fighters by signing our petition. Any member of the public with any questions in welcome to call us directly at (254) 307 – 8389.  We sincerely consider it an honor and a privilege to serve our community and that commitment will never change.  Our petition isn’t about today, it’s about tomorrow and ensuring that fairness, equality, and due process will always exist for the fire fighters of Copperas Cove.  Thank you for your support.