For those who may not understand why this is a big deal. $250k can buy a lot of shit for a volunteer department.
It costs $12k+ to outfit one fire fighter with a single set of gear and assuming they’re sticking with NFPA regs, they would need to replace that gear every 10 years. If it gets damaged? Replaced earlier. This also takes into account the cost of training (initial plus continuing), tools on the apparatus and disposable PPE, hose replacement, etc.
$250k BARELY covers the cost of a used pumper/engine from the last 25 years. If you want new you’re looking at $500k+. Same goes for a tanker/tender (sorry r/Firefighting).
j__magical on
And that there is how you get it done. These folks told Google to kick rocks.
Necessary-Eye5319 on
Google started backing TPUSA. They’re after our power grids and our water.
Actually-Yo-Momma on
The way we view and respect firefighters is how i wish the police were
troll__away on
$250k?!…Google makes that in about 20 seconds.
jake6501 on
Just take the money. The datacenter will happen either way. You don’t have to endorse it to take their money.
kummer5peck on
🫡 these firefighters
RichardDr on
The real story here is the pattern. Data centers are getting built in rural areas specifically because land is cheap and local governments are easier to lobby. Then the “donations” start flowing to buy goodwill before the community realizes what’s happening to their water table and power grid.
I’ve watched this play out in a few towns now. The playbook is always the same — announce project, offer token donations to local services, fast-track permits, and by the time residents figure out their utility bills doubled because the data center is pulling 30+ megawatts, it’s too late.
$250k to a fire department that will need to handle incidents at a facility they have zero training or equipment for is not generosity. It’s a down payment on reduced opposition. Good on this department for seeing through it.
128G on
Donation!?… more like bribe… not even a high one.
GushStasis on
Since it was framed as a donation could they jave accepted it and still fought against the data center?
mikebald on
I’m confused. Since when does a donation imply fealty? Take the donation, send a thank you note, and continue on as usual.
ABC_FYH on
Couldn‘t the just take and than say thanks but still fuck you?
efficiens on
I love the woman who is quoted who thinks data centers are a golden ticket for communities.
starryvelvetsky on
A neighboring city got offered half a million to their school district to create vocational programs for the high school students in return for letting some company build a data center less than a mile away. I really wish they’d turn it down, but they really want that money for the school. 🙁
kon--- on
Right on.
Integrity and solidarity rising up to tell the wealthy to beat feet.
qpgmr on
Instead of big PR donations how about just paying taxes?
norcalruns on
They know they won’t have water to fight fires. Data centers will leave whole states to burn once they deplete the water supply.
Lowetheiy on
Why? Its a donation, its free! Jokes on them lol.
Elberik on
I’ll bet the police department took the money.
JayGatsby1881 on
Take the donation, but don’t return any favors either lol.
__mson__ on
Why can’t they take the money and not support Google at the same time? If it’s a donation, why does it matter who it’s from? It’s just money.
lonebuck844 on
How about they create and maintain their own clean power supply and skip the bribery part of the process.
23 Comments
Now that’s standing on business
For those who may not understand why this is a big deal. $250k can buy a lot of shit for a volunteer department.
It costs $12k+ to outfit one fire fighter with a single set of gear and assuming they’re sticking with NFPA regs, they would need to replace that gear every 10 years. If it gets damaged? Replaced earlier. This also takes into account the cost of training (initial plus continuing), tools on the apparatus and disposable PPE, hose replacement, etc.
$250k BARELY covers the cost of a used pumper/engine from the last 25 years. If you want new you’re looking at $500k+. Same goes for a tanker/tender (sorry r/Firefighting).
And that there is how you get it done. These folks told Google to kick rocks.
Google started backing TPUSA. They’re after our power grids and our water.
The way we view and respect firefighters is how i wish the police were
$250k?!…Google makes that in about 20 seconds.
Just take the money. The datacenter will happen either way. You don’t have to endorse it to take their money.
🫡 these firefighters
The real story here is the pattern. Data centers are getting built in rural areas specifically because land is cheap and local governments are easier to lobby. Then the “donations” start flowing to buy goodwill before the community realizes what’s happening to their water table and power grid.
I’ve watched this play out in a few towns now. The playbook is always the same — announce project, offer token donations to local services, fast-track permits, and by the time residents figure out their utility bills doubled because the data center is pulling 30+ megawatts, it’s too late.
$250k to a fire department that will need to handle incidents at a facility they have zero training or equipment for is not generosity. It’s a down payment on reduced opposition. Good on this department for seeing through it.
Donation!?… more like bribe… not even a high one.
Since it was framed as a donation could they jave accepted it and still fought against the data center?
I’m confused. Since when does a donation imply fealty? Take the donation, send a thank you note, and continue on as usual.
Couldn‘t the just take and than say thanks but still fuck you?
I love the woman who is quoted who thinks data centers are a golden ticket for communities.
A neighboring city got offered half a million to their school district to create vocational programs for the high school students in return for letting some company build a data center less than a mile away. I really wish they’d turn it down, but they really want that money for the school. 🙁
Right on.
Integrity and solidarity rising up to tell the wealthy to beat feet.
Instead of big PR donations how about just paying taxes?
They know they won’t have water to fight fires. Data centers will leave whole states to burn once they deplete the water supply.
Why? Its a donation, its free! Jokes on them lol.
I’ll bet the police department took the money.
Take the donation, but don’t return any favors either lol.
Why can’t they take the money and not support Google at the same time? If it’s a donation, why does it matter who it’s from? It’s just money.
How about they create and maintain their own clean power supply and skip the bribery part of the process.