We were disappointed by some of the negative comments we've seen posted on other message boards about the recent Orlando Sentinel article on the Kissimmee Fire Department's Spanish cheat-sheets.
It's important to recognize that the cheat-sheets and the basic training just provide more tools to our firefighters and EMS personnel. As noted in the article, being able to use some key phrases means that there is less need to spend time waiting for a translator. This means that the patient can be treated more quickly, and the KFD staff are freed up that much faster to respond to the next call. Even if our local population were 100% English-speaking, we are still a tourist-driven economy, and we are going to have non-English speaking visitors.
If you can't communicate with the staff at one store, you move on to another one. If the fire department can't communicate with you during an emergency, you have a real problem. We commend the fire department, and the police department, for their efforts to keep our community safe.
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4 comments:
Looks like your "local activist" has quit again.
I guess this is why the City needs to create that new Fire Fee. They need it so they can teach our Firefighters Spanish. Interesting use of taxes.
Riddle me this, riddle me that:
is Wayne Who like a big black bat?
Creatures that usually lurk in the shadows are eaten by other creatures of the night. Anonymity, although a great strength and advantage is at the same time their greatest weakness and disadvantage. Just as they can't see you; you can't see them.
Si joe soy fewaego home-bray.
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