My Friend, Battalion Chief Joe Sioui - His Path to Secess - 25 - Page 1

I made a career of firefighting for twenty five years and another fifteen in the fire service line as a Fire Investigator and later on a Fire Commissioner. I didn't know anything about firefighting and had no aspirations of being a firefighter in my life so this was all new to me. I had to learn this job and dedicate myself to the profession if I'm going to make this line of work. The pay was very low. It amounted to about $3,400.00 per year and we worked an average of 72 hours a week. (some weeks 96 hours).

Since I knew nothing about firefighting I decided I had better learn about it, I purchased books, studied and since I was stationed in the busiest fire company (Rescue Squad) in the city. I needed to do my best if I'm going to make it here, because of politics in the City of Albany NY. I wasn't able to take a promotional exam for eleven years. Ninety percent of the officers were in an acting position and that meant they didn't pay for out of grade positions. We changed that after twelve years. It's a good department to work for now and the pay is good and promotional exams are held on a regular basis as needed.

I took the Lieut. Exam and scored high on the list and three years later I took the Captain's exam and scored very we'll on it , two years later I was appointed to the position of Battalion Chief (Acting) but with PAY! As a Lieutenant, I took several state courses and courses in various states. As the result of this I was appointed fire instructor with our Dept. I also became an EMT and went to school to become a paramedic in June of 1980 I became a state certified Paramedic.