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Professional Fire Fighters Association of Louisiana (PFFALA)

Professional Fire Fighters Association of Louisiana (PFFALA) review: Scam 8

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I worked for three months for the Professional Fire of Baton Rouge it is a sweatshop run by Brent Rosenbrook this was a horrible experience.They supposedly raise money for a burn camp and to provide money to the members of the Professional Fire Fighters the only problem all of the money goes in the pocket of Brent Rosenbrook.This company only gave us one break for 5 minutes for and 8 hour shift.Half of the time we called areas that had volunteer firefighters.The scripts they used laid serious guilt trip on potential customers the one I hated the most went like " I know last year was a tough year for a lot of folks you live in Baton Rouge right the reason I ask the programs our firefighters work on will save lives in Baton Rouge and since this money also goes to badly burned kids is it possible to do a small $25.00 donation to help we'd really appreciate it. They use tactics like this so Brent Rosenbrook can line his pockets.

Update by R Arnett
Feb 09, 2016 8:16 pm EST

I'm happy the post helped I've been in contact with local TV Stations to expose this fraud but nothing has happened yet.
If anyone past or present who has worked for this please post copies of the scripts the Professional Firefighters Association of
Louisiana, I can only remember parts of them.

Update by R Arnett
Mar 09, 2016 11:31 pm EST

The Chief in Duson informed me, they don't benefit from this organization at all .

8 comments
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MattN
, US
Dec 08, 2016 5:12 pm EST

Fire chiefs have there own separate association that does nothing to conduct an internal fundraiser. Baton Rouge General sure does have great things to say about what we do with the burn camp. Chris Deaton is a drugged out loser who was given every opportunity to work. Folks you must consider the source when making life decisions.

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FF Hebert (Ret.)
, US
Nov 22, 2017 10:01 pm EST
Replying to comment of MattN

Follow this link to better understand who Christopher Deaton is: http://www.actionnews17.com/news/bogalusa-traffic-stop-leads-to-arrest-on-multiple-charges-606164
Scroll down to the 35th name listed in the Livingston Parish District Attorney's arrest report. You will read the following:
"Christopher Deaton, age 33, of Baton Rouge, LA, pleaded no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given credit for time served."
When Mr. Deaton or others choose to participate in criminal activity there are repercussions for that behavior. It is unfortunate that often when a person abuses drugs, they will verbally (sometimes physically) attack others. The focus of those attacks are often those who have helped the most -- Family or friends and even an employer. They will accuse others and bear false witness. Anyone who has had a loved who suffers from drug addiction knows of the unfortunate loss of a moral compass resulting from that addiction and the words and behavior that accompany it.
It is discouraging that in this day people choose to go online and attempt to discredit or destroy an organization or businesses through slander with a few clicks on a keyboard. The hollow words of disgruntled people and strangers online is false testimony and worth the price paid. True research is easily accessible to you and typically starts with a phone call to a business or organization or visiting in person. That is what I feel is wise and what I personally have done. I would encourage others to do so as well.

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Marilyn Ozomgbachi
, US
May 16, 2016 4:14 pm EDT

Thank you I'm not committing to my pledge. I feel doped since I contributed last year...

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Marilyn Ozomgbachi
, US
May 16, 2016 4:13 pm EDT

I made a pledge foe $25 and I feel doped. Thats not right. I'm not sending any money. I'm calling now to refuse the pledge thank you!

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Chris Deaton
, US
Mar 19, 2016 11:30 pm EDT

I worked there from 06/2015 to 02/2016. You are all absolutely right it is an out and out scam/fraud/grifiting what have you. This is the script, i have it memorized:
"Hello mr/mrs_________, this is_________ calling here in the state for the professional firefighters association of louisiana, how are you doing out there? Your firefighters just wanted to make you aware of something special theyre doing this year. Theyre going to supporting a place for kids called, "camp im still me, " you may have heard about it, its the big burn camp. And when we have kids from, (enter city name here), or anywhere in the state who suffer severe burn injuries, they get to go there for free. We're also going to be sponsoring CPR training in all the public high schools this year.
So to make this and other programs possible we're having our 2016 booster membership drive, and we're asking you to stand behind your firefighters and become a booster member. Its a one time thing that helps out for the entire year, and we'll send you the firefighter proud supporter decal for your car or the window of your home. Could our guys count on your support to help out? We'd appreciate it...
HOW MUCH?: Most folks go with our basic supporter level which is a $50 pledge and it does help out for the whole year. Could we count on your support? We'd aprreciate it...
NO/NOT NOW: Well i understand, i know its been a tough year for a lot of folks out there. You live in, (enter city name), is that right? Well the reason i ask is that the programs our firefighters work on help save lives at home and throughout the state, and since its part of an effort to help burned children would it be possible to do just a small $25 support to help out for the whole year? We'd appreciate it."
And then they have a booklet with answers for every possible scenario. They mention an A+ rating with the BBB, (which is bought), and licensing through the secretary of states office, (which doesnt account for business ethics or a lack thereof). If someone asks, "how much of the money actually goes towards the kids or to fund the CPR training?", Brent has a vague BS answer: "im glad you asked, because we are not a third party fund raising organization, and we work directly for the firefighters, 100% of everything we collect goes directly towards the firefighters and the programs they support." Meaning probably around 85-90% actually goes towards the union and administrative costs, (i.e. Brent's pockets), and maybe 5-10% goes towards the kids and the CPR training. One thing you need to know about brent is that he is a professional liar, a master BS'er, and he has done this kind of thing all over the country. My question is this: if this is legitimate, and he's so successful at it, why has he had to constantly move from city to city to restart this, "NPO?" This guy makes his living manipulating shut-ins, and the elderly by passively guilt-tripping them into giving up what very little income they have. I feel ashamed, and naive for having worked there and not seeing it for the scam it is, and the crime it should be. I feel it is my civic duty to make the public aware of this blatant fleecing and con job. He records every phone call and ive heard it from other employees that he records phone calls on his office line without the knowledge of those to which he is speaking. I had called him a few weeks after i was let go asking him to write me a separation notice for some paperwork i needed for the state and he flat out refused. Once he heard that it was for the state he immediatley closed up and refused. Why would he deny me such a standard document that no other employer would have a problem with unless he is hiding something? I find this curious. I had to report it to the department of labor. He can only hire people who have had pasts run-ins with the law, are down on their luck with minimal employment credentials, or young naive college kids who just dont know a fraud due to a lack of experience in the workforce or life in general. Brent Rosenbrook is a cancer on society and its people like him who hurt other legitimate organizations who actually do make it their mission to make the world a better place. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON HIS SOUL, (if he has one), because Lord knows i wouldnt.

I hope this was helpful to those concerned for communities. If anyone has questions or comments regarding the inside details of this fraud, do not hesitate to email me at mcstagger.chris@gmail.com

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FF Hebert (Ret.)
, US
Nov 26, 2017 1:24 pm EST

Follow this link to better understand who Christopher Deaton is: http://www.actionnews17.com/news/bogalusa-traffic-stop-leads-to-arrest-on-multiple-charges-606164
Scroll down to the 35th name listed in the Livingston Parish District Attorney's arrest report. You will read the following:
"Christopher Deaton, age 33, of Baton Rouge, LA, pleaded no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given credit for time served."
When Mr. Deaton or others choose to participate in criminal activity there are repercussions for that behavior. It is unfortunate that often when a person abuses drugs, they will verbally (sometimes physically) attack others. The focus of those attacks are often those who have helped the most -- Family or friends and even an employer. They will accuse others and bear false witness. Anyone who has had a loved who suffers from drug addiction knows of the unfortunate loss of a moral compass resulting from that addiction and the words and behavior that accompany it.
It is discouraging that in this day people choose to go online and attempt to discredit or destroy an organization or businesses through slander with a few clicks on a keyboard. The hollow words of disgruntled people and strangers online is false testimony and worth the price paid. True research is easily accessible to you and typically starts with a phone call to a business or organization or visiting in person. That is what I feel is wise and what I personally have done. I would encourage others to do so as well.
Hebert

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Keith Pesell
, US
Feb 25, 2016 3:46 pm EST

I was called three times by this company for donations, after a call to my local fire chief in New Iberia I found out out none of this money goes to them.This is a total scam they tell you one thing and your donation goes somewhere else.

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Harris Beyer
, US
Feb 09, 2016 3:45 pm EST

My 83 year agreed to make a donation of $50.00 to this organization and asked me to check out this company and she was told the money would
go to a burn camp for kids after investigating thanks to your post I found the money goes to their Union.

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