Welcome to the Disabled Public Safety Employee's Association's (DPSEA) port in the storm. If you are reading this, then you probably are more than aware of the statistical significance of injuries incurred by those who risk their lives for the General Public. Quoting stats is not what we're here for, but I'll give you one. In the State of Florida alone, there are 63,093 Sworn Law Enforcement and Corrections officers (Source FDLE 1998). This is just the currently certified Law Enforcement side of One state, figure nationally, there has to be over a million people that DPSEA is concerned with, and should be concerned with our efforts.
Note, The Disabled Public Safety Employee's Association, or DPSEA, is not affiliated with any other group or entity, no matter how similar our purpose, name, or initials may be. DPSEA does not solicit funds from current or future members, so if you are being asked for cash, it is not from us. Please let us know if anyone is soliciting funds, on "our" behalf.
Mission Statement:
DPSEA is an organization that is made up, primarily, of former and current High Risk public service personnel that have been there and done that. Our sole aim is to aid our fallen brothers and sisters that have suffered a career ending injury, or potentially career ending injury, in the line of duty. Law Enforcement, Fire Services, and Emergency Medical Personnel are the last line of defense between civility and chaos. They deserve to be treated as such, or at least as human beings, and at times that is forgotten. In our cynical and brutal world, there is an odd paradox that tends to take hold when one of us becomes injured. Men and women that we have fought for, bled for, and would have perished for, our professional siblings and those that we have served, have a tendency to treat us like lepers once we become injured, and soon forget that we ever existed at all. Many times, it is this very event that is far more traumatic than any physical injury.
DPSEA is the child of several persons who have endured the retirement process, and eventually retired, battered, beaten, and tired. The initial founders are not relevant to the potential that exists from this group. Between currently employed, retired, disabled public safety persons, as well as simply interested parties, this group could swell to the hundreds of thousands. Disabled Public Safety personnel have been without a voice for so long, that it may take some time to remind others that we are still here. However, with time and assistance, that voice shall be heard. We are all in the same boat; working, injured, disabled, it makes no difference. Yet, we can make a difference, just give it a chance, and a little sweat, and it will change. Perhaps as a motto, an old Irish proverb to be adopted, "However long the road, there comes a turn," would be a grand idea. For it is true, no matter how bad things may seem, they will not remain that way. Please believe in this. If you doubt it, e-mail George, and he'll tell you all about it.
DPSEA offers emotional support, guidance, and perhaps just simply a friendly word or two, or whatever we can do. We are still a tiny little group, but as we grow, who knows what we will be able to offer someday? Possible considerations are legislative issues, group benefits, such as affordable insurance, and professional help, legal assistance, ect. The only limits are those that we impose upon ourselves.
Who is eligible for membership?
For full membership, any one who is, or was, employed by a governmental entity in the capacity of law enforcement (sworn), fire suppression and related duties, or the varied emergency medical fields (EMT, Paramedic), on the local, county, state or federal level, including military personnel. We have also decided to include private EMS employees, for they are just as vital, and serve the community as well. There is no discrimation of any sort, not based on anything. Our only request is that our mission is the main goal. It would be nice if English is the language of choice, but hey, if we can get a few translators....
We are also more than happy to have other people (Associate Members) that agree this effort is worthy, to become involved as much or as little as they care to. Ideally, active high risk employee's, spouses, parents, friends, or those with a few minutes to spare, are all welcome. Anyone with a few minutes to spare that believes in our mission is part of this entity. We need the support of everyone. Who knows, you might learn a even few things in the process. God forbid you wind up on this side of the fence. Maybe we can help to prevent that from happening.
What are the dues?
Zip, nada, nothing. If you are in the storm, you can understand that position. Save every cent you can, you will need it. As long as I can pay for my internet connection, then this is a free site, and will remain so. Period.
What are the obligations of the members?
All we ask is honesty, integrity, and courage. This should sound familiar anyway. For now, a little paperwork is all that's needed. Perhaps at some point in the future, now is a good time, you could be on this side, helping someone else. We would especially like to hear from some fire and EMS personnel, so that we may include appropriate links and information for you and your friends as well.
In the immediate future, we'll have some links posted here
for law enforcement organizations, fire organizations, and I need some help here, as to whether or not there are any EMS groups, other than fire related.
Remember, a physical disability is not death, we can overcome what has happened, but only YOU can make that decision. Our potential is great. Collectively, we are a VERY large and powerful group of people, one that can accomplish almost anything we set our minds to. It is vital not not lose hope, and to remember that you are not alone! Above all else, remember that you are not alone. Don't think of these events that took place as an ending, but rather as a new beginning! At least that works for me.
This is our new "Message Board". It will have any new information for members or those that are just interested. Please use it for feedback and comments, or just to say ,"Hi". Our policies are rather open, and welcome any comments, suggestions, or ideas, asking that some level of decorum be maintained. If it's on your mind, this is the place for it, without being admonished or attacked for your views. We have a lot of plans in the works, so any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Membership is based on nothing more than a request to Erynn Carroll. Be forewarned, we may ask some specific questions to prevent posers and wackos from slipping through. If someone is handy with forms, and offers, then a membership form will be coming up soon, to speed things up. Each Member's entry format will be as descriptive as is reasonable. The members name, their membership number, their state and employment status, and finally, their field of emergency work, as well as a hyperlink to their e-mail. The application is confidential, and will be stored off-line, for security purposes.
Police is all forms of Law Enforcement; such as city police, deputy sheriffs, troopers, corrections, etc.
Fire is all forms of the Fire Services; Fire Fighters, Rescue, Fire Marshals, Inspectors, etc.
EMS is all forms of the Emergency Medical Services; EMT's, Paramedics, and those medical professionals that work in the field, such as RN's, MD's, Air Ambulance Crews, etc.
As a DPSEA Member, if you wish to add more information, you may do so in the bulletin board, but we ask that name calling, and specific references to agencies and departments be limited. If you're a Full DPSEA Member, everyone here knows that you are probably a little ticked off, myself included, don't give in to the temptation of "pay-back," it's fun, but it really is beneath you, and us.
A new feature of DPSEA is liasons, these people are the veterans of the Fight for the Rights of Disabled Public Safety Employees. Eventually, there will be one for each segment that DPSEA is involved in, specifically Law Enforcement, Fire Services, and Emergency Medical Services. If you are interested, please contact George.
A little request to all members, please ask your co-workers, friends, doctors, lawyers, and family members, to join DPSEA as Associate Members, because as we increase in size, we also increase our power, and that maybe all we have at the end of the day.
has offered to provide some assistance, as a licensed counselor, and injured parole worker, to those that seek it. Please do yourself the favor of hashing out any issues that have become too difficult to deal with with her. She's been there herself, and is a full member of this entity. We've all had our moments, and Liza has offered to help. On behalf of DPSEA, I sincerely thank her, and ask that anyone that wishes, please turn to her
Please Actively Support DPSEA, just tell a friend about us.
LINKS
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Florida Police Benevolent Association
National Association of Police Organizations Inc.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement PBA
American Police Hall of Fame and Museum
Great site for survivors, and many other reasons, a must see!
A United Kingdom site, For Wales and the UK
FIRE / EMS
International Association of Fire Fighters
Firehouse
A reference source for Fire Fighters
National Registry of EMT's and Paramedics
OTHER/LEGAL
United States Department of Justice
Know your right's, this isn't a cop joke!
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
If there is a safety issue, this is the place to find out about it.
Florida Legislature Online
Florida Statutes
Online
JOSHUA (Judicial Online Super Highway
(Florida Supreme Court Plus)
JAN Job Access Network
JAN is a vast array of information concerning all issues of ADA and "Reasonable Accommodations." A++
Access Life
A multi-part, multi-faceted source for all types of information relating to persons with disabilities, it's worth a look.(Be advised some pop up's)
Legal Firms with Ties to DPSEA
DPSEA does not endorse any legal firms. However, those rare few that show both an interest, and an ability to be included on this page are here by their choice, and a genuine dedication.
Want to recommend a link? Let me know
Extended link pages coming. The Disabled Public Service Employee's Association 1999
A most sincere thank you to Mr. Nevin Weiner, Attorney at Law. Nevin, none of this would be happening if it were not for you. I can never thank you enough. If anyone in S.W. Florida needs legal assistance in family, employment, labor, or other issues, check out our pal, Nevin A. Weiner, P.A. 100 Wallace Avenue, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34237, or (941)373-9966. He has helped several of our members already. Public Safety issues are not new to him. (Comment by George Cronin, not necessarily the views of DPSEA)
This website was written by G. Cronin, and should not be blamed on anyone else. Any amendment or change requests will be addressed immediately.
Copyright 1999-2006 George M. Cronin, all rights reserved. Logo Copyright 1999-2006.
Last update 11-06-2006. No part or portion of this website may be used without the express permission of the owner, DPSEA.
Note, we would love to add some members of the legal profession to this list, perhaps on a pro bono, or just on a consulting level, as well as some clinical psychologists, therapists, vocational coordinators, clergy, any one that can help. Thank you.
DisabledCops.com
This EMS-Fire Web Ring site is owned by
G. M. Cronin.
Want to join the EMS-Fire Web Ring?
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By the way, anyone that might have some time to assist in the Mission of DPSEA, and knows more about HTML Programming than us, please let us know. We need all the help we can get!
Disclaimer: DPSEA, does NOT give legal advice, not unless we get a few active attorneys involved, and they are the ones dispensing it. We will make every effort to point you in the right research direction, but we do not purport to be a legal resource.