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I happened across this trailer for a documentary that is being worked on being released. It looks very interesting. Looks like it really shows the dismal state of Detroit and those risking their lives to basically save a sinking ship. Hope to see it get released soon.
YouTube: BURN - A documentary about Detroit firefighters
My uncle retired from the Detroit fire department a few years ago. He's had a lot of heart problems - too much smoking for sure - and isn't in the greatest of health. My dad is 74 and is his elder brother, but not even the oldest, there are two other older brothers all still kicking.
Anyway, I followed the DFD for many years because, quite simply, they were my heroes. I watched them save people, cats, dogs, fish, put out fires and probably even set a few.... :)
The documentary mentioned at the start of this thread has been completed and is now airing in select theaters - www.detroitfirefilm.org
I happened across this YouTube video made by a Highland Park (the city that went bankrupt) firefighter that reminded me of Burn.
Just a word of warning, if you're not a fan of Eminem the rapper you may want to mute it as there isn't really much other commentary throughout:
I just finished watching Burn.
The folks of the DFD have my respect. They're definitely fighting a thankless, losing battle there.
There was one part of the film that had a bit of :freak2: though. Some of the fire fighters still fail to admit that unions were a major contributor to the downfall of Detroit and as an even bigger :freak2:, some of them seem to think the union hate is directed toward them and the police unions. Then they went and lumped the teachers' union in with them. :freak2::freak2:
Overall though, I definitely recommend viewing it. It is an eye opener.
See post number 2. My uncle Ray died about a year before Dad passed. He was a fire chief for some of the stations when he retired. I heard a lot of stories even back in the 1970s and 1980s about the battles they were fighting, internally, externally and against the thugs in the area, the arsonists, criminals and so forth.