My name is Donny Haberski and I am a Federal Firefighter.
I started my federal service when I was 17 years old as a recruit at Great Lakes, Illinois at the Naval Basic Training Center. After proudly serving 10 years of military service in both the Navy and the Air Force (both active and reserve duty) I decided to leave the military and attend college.
After completing my degree, my career in the Federal Fire Service began. I presently work for the Dept. of the Army as a Firefighter/EMT/Hazmat Technician. I chose the federal fire service for many reasons. Our motto of ” Protecting those who defend America” shows the pride that Federal Firefighters have for those we have sworn to protect and the love we share for our country. Pride, patriotism, protecting and service to my country are some of the reasons I chose my career path.
I could have worked for a municipal Fire Dept. and made more money, but for me, being a federal employee is far more rewarding. Being a member of the Federal Employee family I have the opportunity to serve with some of the hardest working, patriotic, and generous Americans our country has to offer. Why work anywhere else?
AS THE FATHER OF THIS FEDERAL FIREFIGHTER, I CAN ONLY EXPRESS MY DEEPEST PRIDE IN HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, AND COMMUNITY. HE IS INDEED VERY PROUD OF HIS PROFESSION, AND HIS WIFE, CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND BROTHERS ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF HIM. DONNY IS AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG MAN, WHO GIVES OF HIMSELF DAILY.
Donny, I certainly appreciate your story and the fact of your committment to the federal fire service, however being a federal firefighter myself for 14 years and then revolving into what is now the “Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority” (MWAA) was a blessing to me and many others.
I retired with 14 years federal service and 15 years of MWAA for a total of 29 years, my retirement was still under the old CSRS system. Thanks to then Secretary of transportation “Elizabeth Hanford Dole” we converted from federal service to a civilian fire service at both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. This move at both of these airports was a milestone in the right direction for us, as both of these airports “under federal control” was destroying the airports due to the monies going back into the general federal fund and no monies coming back to the airports for any improvements. Thus, going to an Airport Authority system was the right move for us, as we went from then 72 hours per week to 56 hours per week and a salary increase across the board. This move brought us into a comparable system much like our counterpart municipal fire departments outside the airports. I remember the ‘ole days’ under the federal system with the FLSA issues and long hours of work. The federal fighters were always greatly under rated and under paid and still goes the saga today. I appreciate your dedication to duty, having pride and patriotism, but this reaction is also felt in any fire service area whether federal or civilian. As the story also goes with the economy and no federal COLA’s were all in the same boat, good luck to you in the near future! A.L. Hutchinson, Retired Battalion Chief
Don, I work for a federal fire cache supplying forest fighters with thier materials to perform thier job. You have every reason to be very proud of your son!