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Contributed commentary by Joshua Gillette.
Every day, while most of us are driving to work, eating dinner with our families, or sleeping through the night, Clarksville’s firefighters are on duty. They’re responding to heart attacks, pulling people from wrecks, running into burning buildings, and standing between chaos and safety. And having to do certifications and training all the time to stay current.
And they’re doing it while being severely underpaid while secretaries are bored at a city office giving horrible service from a 9-5 desk job that pays more.
These men and women sacrifice their time, their bodies, and their peace of mind to protect this city. Yet many of them cannot afford to live in the very community they serve. Some are forced to work double shifts or second jobs just to get by. This is not acceptable. We believe that those who protect our homes should be able to afford one themselves.
We are calling on our city leadership to take bold action and fix the broken pay structure. We are not asking for luxury, just dignity. A fair, livable wage that reflects the risk, responsibility and relentless service our firefighters provide.
What you can do today:
- Join the movement: Follow our new Facebook group, Clarksville Connect, to stay updated on firefighter support efforts and upcoming community actions.
- Make your voice heard: Contact city officials. Let them know you support higher firefighter pay and a better future for those who serve us.
- Share the message: Use your social media. Share our posts, tag friends and spread the truth. The louder we are, the harder we are to ignore.
This isn’t political. It’s personal. Let’s come together, not just to thank our heroes, but to fight for them the way they fight for us.
Joshua Gillette