Discussions

I can understand the guys by the side of the road with the signs, but I just experienced the guy standing in the middle of an active lane of 18th waving a boot around.  
 
My first thought upon seeing a fireman waving was there must have been an accident, so I immediately changed lanes to the turning lane to avoid his lane, luckily no one was beside me.  
 
It just seems like a bad idea to be standing in traffic for advertising sake, I worry what would happen if traffic was slowing down for him and someone decided to change lanes at the wrong time and hit him.  
 
As I type this, I can hear sirens blaring, hopefully nothing happened with that firefighter.

Was the firefighter standing in the middle of 18th as traffic was whizzing by him or did he approach the vehicles when they were stopped at a red light?  
 
The firefigters I saw earlier this evening were standing on the side of the road, then when the light turned red and everyone was stopped and people were rolling down their windows to hand them money, they approached the vehicles to collect donations. Once the light turned red they were back on the curb.  
 
Edited by The_Young_Man, 2017-03-15 19:21:04

they have done that before at the same location. One winter on a icy condition busy saturday (lunch time) I thought it can't be safe doing this with driver watching them and not paying attention to other vehicles.  
Firefighters standing right by the traffic lights during winter condition of ice or snow, one might slip, fall, and hit by a vehicle then probably the drive will get blame for it.  
At least the police if an issue is happening they have their lights on flashing making visible and better for drivers coming towards them. I do not find firefighters have their signs that visible far away even close.

In this case traffic was moving on a green light and he was basically between the 2 straight lanes, maybe he was trying to get over to the side, I can't say, but as I swerved into the turning lane he was still waving his boot.  
 
Either way, going into active traffic just screams to me as unsafe, red or green light.

Standing in the medians are one thing but I totally saw someone tonight after 4:30ish not on the median as the above poster described. I just kind of shook my head wondering why? I mean I get it you're trying to raise money but at what cost? An accident could definitely be caused by that.

They are doing this for a good cause. It was on the radio stations. You either stop and donate or keep going. I'm sure they of all people have safety in mind. I say good for them!!

I would like to thank the firefighters for donating their time and energy to such a worthy cause. The money they raise and the awareness they create to help support those whose lives have been affected by Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy is incredibly appreciated. As a side note, firefighters are often our first responders to emergency situations and are highly trained in this area. I think they are able to navigate traffic in a safe and responsible manner. I'm hopeful that we can please try to keep this thread on a positive note to help support our firefighters and the work they are doing for MD and CP.

It is a Traffic light , so I am not sure how fast you think you should be going through that intersection , but in any case and any speed you will come across apposing traffic , pan handlers , icy stops , pedestrians crossing , and in this case some great Men and women , putting their lives on hold for a bigger cause. And thanks for pointing out Maybe even putting their lives in Danger just so we can be safe and critical of them while we are behind the protection of these aliases names and keyboards  
 
I read this and also wonder how many people on this thread did slow down enough to make a donation lol , from the sounds of it not one  
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK6RQb6Oz_OovNIVro93pew/live

I hope no one is thinking I have a problem with them doing the donation drive, all the power to them, hopefully they raise a lot of money for a good cause.  
 
I was too busy to notice if people were stopping on my initial pass by, but did see a car or two stop on my way back, to donate I assume now.  
 
My only concern was to the guy standing between moving cars in a busy intersection.

the original post was regarding the safety on how it was done not a complaint about the cause and money raised

in my case. Reasons:  
 
1. Who carries cash in their car?  
2. I don't listen to local radio, so I had no idea this was happening.  
3. I was in the westbound lineup on Kirkcaldy to turn south on 18th. All I saw from the rear of the long line up was what appeared to be the usual panhandlers there on the median, slowing traffic down.  
 
Good cause, but not the best way to solicit donations.

ronfay said "in my case. Reasons:     1. Who carries cash in their car?   2. I don't listen to local radio, so I had no idea this was happening.   3. I was in the westbound lineup on Kirkcaldy to turn south on 18th. All I saw from the rear of the long line up was what appeared to be the usual panhandlers there on the median, slowing traffic down.     Good cause, but not the best way to solicit donations. "

"Who carries cash in their car?"  
 
I would think pretty much everyone who drives a car and carries cash anywhere. Unless they never carry cash at all, most people would have cash in their cars. Many people keep change for meters or shopping carts too.

agree with op. I was driving east on Richmond at 18th and a guy ran out in front of me (it was green for me) to get to the middle.  
 
and I never carry cash anymore besides my superstore loonie lol

Ok Brandonites this is not "Sound Off"! Our firefighters are collecting donations for a great cause & all some people can do is complain. I watched them at intersections & didn't see a problem. It would be so nice to have a more positive spin on this & thank them for what they are doing. Please have some patience!

of us who saw them standing between lanes of traffic are just concerned about their safety. We're not talking about standing on the median. The one I saw was between the southbound 18th St lanes and walking back and forth between the southbound vehicles. A small vehicle following behind a larger vehicle likely would not see him.  
 
They're firefighters not superman. I understand they are taking donations for a good cause, but standing between the lanes of traffic like I saw was not safe, firefighter or not.

Garden Mum said "Ok Brandonites this is not "Sound Off"! Our firefighters are collecting donations for a great cause & all some people can do is complain. I watched them at intersections & didn't see a problem. It would be so nice to have a more positive spin on this & thank them for what they are doing. Please have some patience! "

Lol totally agree. I have never had a problem with them. I have parking meter and cart change too, plus the odd 5 or so. It is totally worthy of the boot. I mean to do a road drive safely there would be flashing lights, traffic directors, god who else to involve. People will just detour around thinking it is an accident anyway. What better way to hit people up is at intersections. Good for them and hope they raise money. People can say to advertise better but reading on here people don't have a computer, people don't have cable, listen to the radio, don't use twitter, Facebook, read the paper..........so how can you do a blitz fundraiser when everyone will complain they never heard it. Great to target drivers. At least I hope the drivers are not staring at their crotches like I normally see them at intersections.

Trevor B said "of us who saw them standing between lanes of traffic are just concerned about their safety. We're not talking about standing on the median. The one I saw was between the southbound 18th St lanes and walking back and forth between the southbound vehicles. A small vehicle following behind a larger vehicle likely would not see him.     They're firefighters not superman. I understand they are taking donations for a good cause, but standing between the lanes of traffic like I saw was not safe, firefighter or not. "

I saw the same situation. Just turned green light as I approach closer suddenly I see a firefighter in the middle of the street (between vehicles driving by) and he is talking to the driver not even looking his surrounding. Not good not good way in my opinion it is almost J walking in big traffic.  
One day it may involve 1 or 2 accident which will cost autopac plus hospital perhaps. They should find another way.  
The drive that is reaching the cash isn't also looking what is coming around him/her.

I posted a photo from Google Street View and marked in red where the firefighter was standing and walking. And the traffic was not light like what's in that picture. It was heavy 5pm traffic.

someone at the city will see and no doubt the firefighters will get hell now!  
 
Jeepers, I imagine these guys have to deal with traffic every time they are out on the streets working! I'd trust them to stay out of my line of traffic so as to not get hit, why don't you?

There were firemen in the street in front of firehall 2 at 13th and Queens at 5:00 today. No lights there - straight through traffice on 13th - people not knowing what the heck is going on slowing down to a crawl to pass. Firefighters in middle of the narrow street - almost have to drive on the sidewalk to avoid hitting them. Very dangerous - how do you explain this one to the police. I appreciate what the fire department does but they are collecting donations on work time. I am sure the Highway Traffic act has some provision that prohibits this. They should raise cash for charity like every other group - tag day at the stores on residential canvass on their own time.

The firefighters camping on the roof of fire hall #2 and collecting donations for Muscular Dystrophy Canada around town are off duty and doing it on their own time. Talked to a few today and donated. The camp out and boot drive also ends on Saturday.  
 
Edited by The_Young_Man, 2017-03-16 21:15:42

all I am going to say it THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS , and if you support this movement, I ask you reader , not to reply or comment on this thread , just post a THANK YOU  
lets change this thread around for these firefighters from a negative post thread that might influence a negative reaction not to do this campaign again to a we the community support it.  
 
SO again If you support this fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy, if you support these guys giving up their time and " safety ", If you ever want this post not to affect future indicatives in this town  
if you support anything but negative posts  
type  
"THANK YOU "

hadi said "all I am going to say it THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS , and if you support this movement, I ask you reader , not to reply or comment on this thread , just post a THANK YOU   lets change this thread around for these firefighters from a negative post thread that might influence a negative reaction not to do this campaign again to a we the community support it.     SO again If you support this fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy, if you support these guys giving up their time and " safety ", If you ever want this post not to affect future indicatives in this town   if you support anything but negative posts   type   "THANK YOU " "

I'm having a hard time understanding how this thread is somehow being viewed as negative towards these guys and their donation drive.  
 
Yes they deserve to be commended, not just for the job they do buy also for helping out a good cause.  
 
My single concern is with them walking between moving traffic on a busy street, all it takes is one slip up, whether it be an icy spot, or maybe someone misjudging their mirror distance and clipping someone, leading to a more serious accident.  
 
I know firefighters, police and other emergency responders have to occasionally walk in traffic during emergency situations, but a donation drive just doesn't seem fitting for the risk involved.  
 
I can only speak for myself but I would be devastated if I hit someone with my vehicle under the best of circumstances, let alone one that could easily have been prevented by simply not walking in traffic.  
 
Hindsight being 20/20, I think a better idea would have been some signs and a turn in spot in the corner of the new sobeys parking lot, that way cars wouldn't be moving and they could easily get back onto 18th afterwards.  
 
Please explain to me how this is negative in any way ?

Raising money for charities is a tough business, and I commend the firefighters for tgeir cause. With the fire stations being in areas that don't see high foot traffic, you have to be innovative, and this is one way of being exposed to more people. Now that being said I wonder if there would not be a better idea to catch high levels of foot traffic and not put anyone at risk. The idea of a firefighter on a roof, as well as the boot idea is something that does catch ones attention. For myself, there are four really high traffic areas that I can think of right off hand. A way to maybe test the community spirit of some the cities corporate retailers would be to approach them and see if the fundraiser could use the roofs of some of these buildings, there would likely be insurance issues, but every problem usually has a solution.  
The high traffic areas I was thinking of were, walmart, homedepot, superstore and Canadian tire.  
Good luck to the firefighters in their fundraising.

I PMed you - hutchster  
 
Edited by hadi, 2017-03-16 22:17:19

no one had complained about the donation and the good cause firefighters did. The discussion is about safety if were an accident happened the discussion here will still be about safety.

I was thinking the same when I saw a firefighter standing in the middle of the road on 13th st. lastnight near the co-op area. I ended up turning left on Queens Ave. As some mentioned, its not the donation is the problem. Its the safety of them and keeping traffic safely moving.

First- thanks to the safety minded people that all had an opinion about the dangerous things those fireman have done. I think I got it.  
 
Second- A very big thank-you to all the fireman that have participated in this great cause.  
 
Both groups have done a very good job of raising awareness of their issues. Thanks again.

Besides the safety issues sorry I sure didn't want to them down but I want to add also a thank you to the firefighters for the donations they raised and their time

legal for people to walk around between moving traffic at lights/intersections and street and solicite for money.  
 
I know pan handlers do it but they seem to stay on the median and do not obstruct traffic or safety.  
 
I am pretty sure that any private individual walking around in intersections or streets and obstructing traffic be picked up by the police and ticketed. so how come the fireman get to do it.  
 
If it is all legal, then it might be a good opportunity for the service clubs in brandon to take up, they are always looking for fund raising opportunities in order to help others.