Am I being curmudgeonly?

HisGirlFriday13 · January 2014

This has been a topic of debate at work tonight. My co-workers think I am being curmudgeonly. I think I am being sensible.

A local volunteer firefighter proposed to his girlfriend on New Year's Eve. Fine.

But he did it by pretending to set her house on fire, having his department respond (therefore taking their tanker and engine units out of service in case of a real fire or emergency), having her taken out from the second floor window on a ladder, etc.

I think it's ridiculously over-the-top, and it's a waste of taxpayers' resources (the trucks are funded partially through the local municipality), it's a danger to the community (small, rural area, not a lot of departments to begin with, VERY small crews working on NYE).

So, I think it's ridiculous and I wish we weren't airing it. My (young, female) co-worker thinks it's sweet and romantic.

What does TK think?

climbingsingle · January 2014

I completely agree with you.

bethsmiles · January 2014

I agree with you. I think it's a completely inappropriate use of resources. Also I'd be pissed if my SO pretended to set my house on fire.

misssunshine17 · January 2014

As a young female, I also think it is really stupid. I guess I don't understand peoples need to have over the top proposals.

silver0319 · January 2014

I agreed with you. It's a complete waste of resources. If it happened in my area, I'd be especially pissed because they've been shutting down paid fire houses left and right due to budget cuts.

kmmssg · January 2014

Agree with you and as a tax payer I would be pissed!

ktjanesmom · January 2014

Dumbest thing ive ever heard. Dorky guy ideas, I hate them.

smalfrie19 · January 2014

Yep I'd be pissed

JCbride2015 · January 2014

I agree-- that's such a waste of resources.

sarahufl · January 2014

Not only is it a waste of resources, I would be FURIOUS if someone faked a fire at my house to propose to me. It would freak me out.

pumpkinsandturkeys · January 2014

Completely agree. They could have risked the safety of someone else in doing so, just for the sake of a showy proposal.

I understand that it's a trend to do something over-the-top and flashy (as we've discussed in other threads), but if you're going to go that route, be sensible about it. This was completely selfish and irresponsible, and the fact that a group of adults went along with this without thinking twice really makes me question their judgment. Their job is to save lives, and they actually put more at risk. Ridiculous.

jdluvr06 · January 2014

You know what kills me? This guy did this and is being praised but the EMT who went against regulations to save a child's life was suspended. People are freaking nuts.

HisGirlFriday13 · January 2014

S/O question: The municipality in question has a "report a concern" section of their website, where I could submit this story anonymously.

Should I?

pumpkinsandturkeys · January 2014

I would. I'd indicate that I'm concerned by the misuse of municipality funds, etc., and the poor judgment used by the volunteer firefighters in that situation. Obviously, you're not trying to be a buzzkill, but this type of behaviour shouldn't be lauded and celebrated.

smalfrie19 · January 2014

Yes

rajahmd · January 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:
S/O question: The municipality in question has a "report a concern" section of their website, where I could submit this story anonymously.

Should I?

I would. They deserve to know that such a misuse of resources does not go unnoticed. Question though: does it matter if you live in that municipality or not to use the concern section of the site?

HisGirlFriday13 · January 2014

@RajanBMFD: Yes; you can apparently just submit an anonymous comment.

rajahmd · January 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:
@RajanBMFD: Yes; you can apparently just submit an anonymous comment.

Then I say go for it. Someone higher up needs to look into how this got approved.

ElcaB · January 2014

I think his intentions were good, but I completely agree with you. I know a guy who did something similar, except he's a police officer and they arranged for an officer to pull her over and --- surprise! --- popped the question as she was being tested for a DUI. While I know a lot of thought and planning went into his proposal, I too wondered about the misuse of resources.

sarahufl · January 2014

Report it. I think letting it just go sets a bad precedent. What is wrong with taking someone out to a nice dinner and asking them to marry you? No need to scare people and misuse city resources!

KeptInStitches · January 2014

Absolutely ridiculous, and I would report it in a heartbeat. That's not what people pay taxes for.

CaliMel11 · January 2014

I don't think that is a nice proposal at all. Why does it even have to be related to his work? That's like a doctor pretending to "save" someone and then proposing afterwards. It just seems pointless and like the focus is more on pulling some huge prank than proposing.

Not to mention, like you say, it's a waste of resources. I don't mind firetrucks going to events that are educational, or even driving around with a fireman on them wishing everyone a merry christmas. That's fine. But faking a fire seems super irresponsible, and like it's trivializing how traumatic it is for people who really have lost their homes to it burning down/lost loved ones.

hellohkb · January 2014

That sounds absolutely ridiculous, and agree that you should submit a comment.

misscoffeeplease · January 2014

Dafuq? Not cute at all and yes, I would be pissed.

HaileyDancingbear · January 2014

I think it's insanely irresponsible to just have his department responding to a fake fire, especially given that it doesn't sound like they really had extra people and trucks to spare. There could have been a real fire somewhere at any moment, and imagine how awful that girl would feel if someone lost their house (Or even died) because the department was busy helping with her proposal and wasn't able to respond quickly enough. Obviously it worked out fine, but still, that proposal could have backfired horribly.

Not to mention, if I had to rank all the worst things that could happen (Excluding the death of a loved one) the house burning down would be #1. That is just way too much emotional stress to put someone through, even if it's fake and meant to be a surprise. Personally I would be extremely upset that someone was willing to make me so upset, no matter what the reason is. I think surprises are cute, and I don't see any harm in a little scare, but making someone think their house is burning down, even for a minute, is just mean.

KytchynWitche · January 2014

No, I'm totally behind you on this one! Submit that report!

chibiyui · January 2014

submit the report. I would have liked this proposal better if shepunched him after he carried her out the window.

s-aries8990 · January 2014

I agree - I'd submit an anon complaint.

I'm ok with over the top proposals - want to make a trailer at the movies? Go for it! A flash mob? A bit over-done, but go for it! Rent a banner plane? Steal her heart!

BUT, don't 1) start a fight, 2) pretend to be in danger or put her in danger, 3) make her anxious/scared [in a distressful way], or 4) waste OTHER people's money/time if they do not offer to help.

Just because YOU want to propose doesn't mean that the world should stop for you to do it.

AddieCake · January 2014

Dislike.

tmclawchick · January 2014

Ew. What if an actual fire had occurred? You better believe I'd submit a comment. On another note, I'm dying to know where in central PA you are, I grew up about 30 minutes outside of Punxsutawney.

blabla89 · January 2014

You're totally right to be upset by this. I would definitely report it. +10 points for use of the word curmudgeonly.

Am I being curmudgeonly?

Re: Am I being curmudgeonly?

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