Posted by Aaaron, a resident of another community, on Dec 16, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Hopefully Andy will get the help he needs. He has been unstable for years, even during his years with the city. Good luck.

Posted by PAFreePress, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Dec 16, 2011 at 8:59 pm

To Posted by Aaaron. Did you work with Andrew thus having knowledge of some sort of psychosis. If found him to be a conginal and compassionate. Did you ever give throught to systemic problems on the job which may have contributed to underlining health issues?

I think you were being a bit to harsh. On a side note I no he went to the Human Relation Commission seeking help with his issues and he told me they were unwilling to help.

The same holds true with city council. If anything it was an emotional accident in the making all of which could have been avoided with the proper care by all parties concerned.

Posted by Marielena, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Dec 17, 2011 at 8:25 am

Paramedics and Firefighters go through a lot on their job. Imagine they are the ones who get to the emergency scene first. Of course some of the mental issues can be related to the job stress. I hope he gets he help the article claims he needs. Hopefully, he will start healing. Thanks to him for the times he was able to do his job and save people who were in trouble or in medical emergencies. Thanks to all firefighters, paramedics and police officers who go the extra mile to help others. Happy Holidays.

Posted by Forum Historian, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Dec 17, 2011 at 10:37 am

Is he the person who posts rants as "Fireman" on this forum?

Posted by Anon., a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Dec 17, 2011 at 12:24 pm

I'm not really up on the whole story here. I've read parts of it off and on as it has appeared here previously. I don't have the feeling that the story is being told completely or in any way that makes sense. Why bother to write about it if you cannot cover it in a way that informs?

Then to have someone immediately jump in without qualifying his statement and saying the person in question has been unstable for years with what sounds like a disingenuous hope that he gets help just doesn't sit right with me. Someone who writes a post like that without explaining their real agenda may be one who also needs "help".

As I said, I don't know any of the people involved, but when I see bits and pieces of what people throw in and it doesn't really add up, it makes me feel a bit sympathetic towards the former firefighter to tell the truth.

>> Andrew Jentzsch, 48, had been a firefighter and paramedic with the City of Palo Alto for 20 years, starting in 1983. In 2003, he resigned his position but then wanted to return to the job. The city did not rehire him.

>> Jentzsch has written in online posts that he sustained a painful shoulder injury and required a joint replacement. He said the city did not help him or provide benefits for his injury. He had a long history of resentment over the incident, which he documented in posts on various Internet forums.

A firefighter with 20 years service to a city that throws away money like Palo Alto does ... at least if you are the right person ... maybe the city could have done something to help the guy.

So ... also

>> was sentenced on Friday to receive mental-health counseling and to seek employment or retraining.

I was not aware that the courts could sentence someone to get a job ... now, maybe this is a solution to the massive unemployment we have in this country now ... just arrest the unemployed and sentence them to get a job!

Seriously, so is the city going to help this guy do any of these things?

Posted by I know the story, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Dec 17, 2011 at 1:42 pm

@Anon

Google is your friend.

@Forum Historian

yes same person

Posted by Firefighter, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Dec 17, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Worked with Andy for years. He has no one to blame but himself. End of story!

Posted by Mark, a resident of another community, on Dec 17, 2011 at 11:19 pm

Good luck Andy, we're hoping for the best for you.

Posted by Alphonso, a resident of Los Altos Hills, on Dec 18, 2011 at 7:12 pm

I got some good advice when I lived in Santa Monica - when things get really bad just go to the beach. This guy lives in Hawaii I can not think of a better place to go to the beach.

Posted by Andrew Jentzsch, a resident of another community, on Dec 18, 2011 at 8:47 pm

Well for those who care.

I do have a job, Care Giver for a Quadriplegic.

I was working in Hawaii as a Care Giver for another Quadriplegic when this happened, working 7 days a week while needing a new shoulder that hurts more then you can imagine. i do not live there.

I have not been offered any help, I went to every city department asking, threats was all I got.

The Palo Alto Fire Department is an Embarrassment to the Fire Service. Lets see you want the public to vote on what?

What did you do to the rest of the City Employees.

Greed and ego is not what being a Firefighter is about.

I worked with some very good people, I worked with lots of people who are the problem. I cared which is more than I can say about many I worked with.

There is so much more to this story, I hope to someday get it out to the public, working n it.

Doing the best I can, as I always have tried to.

Sorry for some of the things I have done. Have a Merry Chritmas..

Thanks to the people who have supported me.

Posted by Outside Observer, a resident of another community, on Dec 18, 2011 at 9:37 pm

For those who would judge Mr. Jentzsch, please consider the environment where he worked.

The environment of disgraced former Assistant City Manager Harrison, disgraced former Utilities Director Ulrich, disgraced former Police Chief Johnson, etc, etc, etc...and, of course, the Pat Briggs witch hunt.

For those who have followed "Fireman's" postings here over the years, it seems a lot of what he has said turned out to be true.

Posted by Michael McCarty, a resident of Mountain View, on Dec 18, 2011 at 9:39 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by Michael McCarty, a resident of Mountain View, on Dec 18, 2011 at 9:51 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]