Is there a reason we even have a Firefighter Training Council other than to help pad some lucky bastard's goverment pension? Please click the link and read on to the end. This is a perfect example of the kind of government waste we tolerate because it's mostly hidden from the public eye.
"Firefighter trainer spends $40,000 on food, travel and new SUV Among the purchases have been upscale meals, a plane ticket for his daughter and a new Chevrolet Tahoe.
A retired firefighter who now works for the state has spent more than $40,000 in taxpayer funds this year on food, travel and a new vehicle.
Records show the spending by state Council on Firefighter Training Executive Director Jon Hansen accounted for more than 10 percent of the council's $357,000 budget this year.
Hansen defended the spending as legitimate in most cases, but said some of the spending was "poor judgment on my part."
It comes at a time the council reduced spending on a key firefighter training initiative by about $40,000 because of budget cuts.
The council develops training standards for firefighters. It isn't a state agency; it gets its money through the state Fire Marshal's Office.
Hansen, 59, has been the council's executive director for about a year. He is paid a $50,000 salary.
Read more: http://newsok.com/firefighter-trainer-spends-40000-on-food-travel-and-new-suv/article/3526770#ixzz19KR2vAAt
I would guess it's mandated by The International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) through the union.