HARTFORD FIRE OFFICER RECOGNIZED WITH PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL

March 31, 2017 – The 2017 Excellence Conference was hosted by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) in Orange County, CA from March 20, 2017 through March 24, 2017. The CPSE is the fire service industry standard for individual credentialing and fire department accreditations, respectively. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) developed these designations using a model that looks at the "whole" officer. Achieving the designation requires a strong educational background, diverse participation in emergency services at the local, state, and national level; and demonstrated involvement in the broader community, all validated by emergency services peers. On March 21, 2017, the CPC met and voted unanimously to award Captain Raul Ortiz his “Fire Officer” designation. Captain Ortiz becomes the fifth credentialed officer in the State of Connecticut and the first of Hispanic descent. The CPSE offers professional credentials for Fire Officer (FO), Fire Marshal (FM), Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO), Chief Training Officer (CTO), and Chief Fire Officer (CFO). This internationally accepted model recognizes professional accomplishments and competence in fire and emergency services and offers fire and emergency service personnel career guidance and planning. “Captain Ortiz is a consummate professional who is dedicated to the department and the city. His contributions are invaluable”, said Reginald D. Freeman, Chief of Department. Chief Freeman was appointed to the Commission in 2010 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Commission on Professional Credentialing.

YOU ASKED FOR THEM, HERE ARE THE JILL CUTLER HODGMAN DOCUMENTS

I have requested the documents from the Hartford Board of Education related to the resignation of Jill Cutler Hodgman. The Board hasn't provided them yet , but luckily I was able to obtain them through "alternative means" and they are disgusting. (The documents, not the alternative means)

In a system that is claiming a deficit and threatening to lay off teachers and para-professionals, it just seems absurd when  you see some of these salaries and related benefits. A $2700.00  car allowance for Cutler Hodgman? Are you serious? Is this a system for educating children or is it more about lining the pockets of adults?

I guess the $183,846 per year salary just wasn't enough so I guess I sold just be sympathetic and hope she cold survive and cover her vehicle expenses with the additional car allowance of $2700.00. Some people have it tough.

From the documents:  "Effective July 1,2013,the annual salary shall be$165,025. Effective July 1,2014, the annual salary shall be $171,626. Effective July 1,2015,the annual salary shall be$178,491. Effective July 1,2016, the annual salary shall be$183,846. Any adjustments in salary made during the life of this contract shall be in the form of an amendment and shall becomepartofthis contract.

An Automobile Allowance at the annual rate of $2,700 pro-rated and paid on a monthly basis. The amount shall be in lieu of all other reimbursement to Cutler Hodgman for use of personal vehicle."





And whoever on the Board that allowed this nonsense should be shown the door. And as a note, the documents are all stamped in large letters "CONFIDENTIAL". I would understand why they wouldn't want any of us in the general public to be able to read about their extravagances, but I would hope that Cutler Hodgman in her role as "Chief Labor and Legal Officer" would hopefully have a better understanding of the term "public documents" and the public's right to know and that nothing in government is "Confidential". Maybe that is where her problem started

And if Jill Cutler Hodgman was actually being paid $183,846 a year as the " Chief Labor and Legal Officer" ,why did we the have to provide a hack lawyer from the Corporation Counsel's Office to advise her? Should we be asking for a refund?

Cutlerhodgman Agreement  on Scribd

TIME FOR A LITTLE LEVITY

At a time when it seems like half of our Country has lost their minds over the election of a President and the other half is borderline over the loss of a candidate, when Senator Murphy is writing op-ed pieces apparently predicting  a war in Syria and our Mayor is about to borrow $20 million dollars to get us out of debt on the hopes that we will get additional money from the State of Connecticut, which is probably just about as close to bankruptcy as the City of Hartford.And oh yeah the Affordable Care Act is who knows what for the future.

So I just thought it was time to lighten the mood for a few minutes and give you a chuckle. The video below is an act from America's Got Talent. I am not sure if it is the same guy, but I think I saw this act once during halftime at a Uconn Women's basketball game.

Enjoy, and laugh a little. Lighten up, it's good for your health. The second youtube video below is one I found after the original posting and it is the one I mentioned from a Uconn game as you can see from the Huskies logo on the Xl Center basketball court.

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