By Gerald Jorden, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Thursday, July 15, 2010       It seems that our city's firefighters are again asked to make a rescue. In this case, however, the rescue is very different from the common, often-dangerous task the St. Louis Fire Department is called to do. There is no burning building, no medical emergency, no one is stuck in flood water and no building has collapsed. This is a financial emergency forced upon us by our employer, the city of St. Louis.

To accept the nature and, more important, the cause of this financial dilemma, with a quick glance would be a mistake. The Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis has been in place since 1885. In the last 50 years, firefighters have made great strides in securing benefits and upgrades to the foundation of the system, making it one of the best in the country. We take pride in our focus, responsibility and conservative consistency, which has resulted in a fully funded pension system.

Moreover, these changes and improvements were accomplished in total transparency, through diligent enterprise and with the help and support of the city and the state Legislature. The St. Louis Fire and Police departments operate under the largest budgets within our city's government; that fact does not necessarily translate into wasted funds or excessive expenditure.

I would argue just the opposite.

The editorial "Still burning" (July 5) documented firefighters' salaries in neighboring county communities. When examined side by side, it appears that St. Louis is getting a bargain for firefighters' services compared to our county brethren.

Apparently, our city firefighters are willing to perform three times the work for half the pay. We accept that reality because sacrifice exists in our core.

This is not the "first rodeo" for all those involved. There are long and well-documented track records available by which we can render judgment. The SLFD always has responded and performed with the highest level of professionalism and courage, whatever the situation. We have given our lives, sacrificed our health and devoted our welfare and wives' and children's security in the name of service to our city. That is our legacy.

Politicians, well, I don't think I need to go into any great detail, except for this tidbit: The July 11 Post-Dispatch had an article regarding the St. Louis Board of Aldermen 'shifting money" to provide city children the opportunity to access city pools and gymnasiums. Good for the kids. I am happy these children will have the resources available to enjoy their summer. Where did this money come from? Proposition S, a 2008 tax initiative passed by voters to "raise $18 million a year to hire more police and replenish police and firefighter retirement systems."

I have served this city faithfully for 32 years. I have witnessed many changes, some great, others not so good. Our city leaders, by design, are at the wheel, leading us down various paths. Taxpayers, police, firefighters and all civil servants are all on board for the ride. Now that the road is treacherous and we are angling for the cliff, firefighters are being asked to save the day by surrendering our pension security to save the city.

In the previous six months, we have sacrificed pay benefits, vacation time, sick-leave benefits and compensatory time. With these offerings, we have increased our standard work period from 104 hours per pay period to 112 hours. We are working longer hours for less pay and benefits.

In an era in which we have witnessed city leaders promising and giving tax abatements hand over fist to spur city growth. Many of these promises have not been kept: Ballpark Village is one example. Fiduciary responsibility is not exactly a hallmark found within the political landscape.

A firefighter who retires after a full career does so at 65 years or 70 years of age, and usually with an accompanying chronic illness or injury. Health care costs are monumental and bills still must be paid.

After a full career, our firefighters deserve the chance to live a fulfilling retirement. We can do that only this through our pension system. After all, firefighters are not eligible for Social Security benefits; our pension is our only nest egg.

The city should not, with any clear conscience, do anything that would have a negative impact our Firemen's Retirement System.

Gerald Jorden is a battalion fire chief with the St. Louis Fire Department.