nfd2004

Regarding Telesquirts, Stamford also had two. I think Engines 4 and 5. At one point, I think one of those pieces was also used for a period of time out of headquarters as Squad 1, part of a two piece mini/maxi company using a mini pumper as well.

I know at one time Connecticut also had snorkels. As posted above, I believe there was one in Stamford. Also Bridgeport, Stratford, Groton, and I believe Cheshire also had one. My brother worked Bridgeports Snorkel out of fire headquarters as both a firefighter and as a Lt. If anybody knows where fire headquarters is, there is a railroad overpass just to the right of that firehouse. Because of the height of that snorkel truck, if it snowed and they needed to put chains on, that truck would NOT fit under that railroad over pass. It would require them to turn in the opposite direction and take a much longer route to the incident. In addition, although the bucket is able to go over wires and tree branches, "for every action there is a reaction". Sometimes it might not have been able to make the swing because of where the lower and upper boom section met. Like folding your arm trying to get through a small hole with your elbow extended. In addition, many snorkels had a long overhang extending beyond the front of the cab. Making it very difficult to turn onto many streets if light poles etc were in the way. I remember Jersey City's Snorkel and that must have had at east a six foot overhang of the resting boom in front of that cab.

Once again, another page of photos has been added to the fdnysbravest.com web site. This is Page 24 of a very busy 1980s for the members of the FDNY. Second only to their prior so called: "FDNY War Years" of the earlier 1970s. I think it's safe to say, "some pretty impressive photos" to say the least. Click on the link below. www.fdnysbravest.com/page24.htm

I have no idea how the operators of those two HUGE rigs were able to get them through some of those streets with cars parked on both sides. Then once they got there, came the job of being able to get that bucket up. That required the use of those outriggers to be come out and put down. The distance of the overall spread was much more than other aerials or tower ladders. What a GREAT JOB those guys did operating a truck of that size on some of those NYC streets.

THANK YOU x635. To the family and friends of Detective Steven McDonald my sincere condolences. Your loss is shared by the entire country as this story is told. Detective McDonald as I see it is a Saint. His story of forgiveness and his suffering goes beyond what most of us would consider a Hero. I can NOT imagine what it was like to be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life, and not be able to move my arms or hands ever again. From the time he woke up in the morning, until the time he went to bed at night, he was at the mercy of someone being there to do it for him. Doing the simplest routine things he could NOT do. Like getting dressed in the morning, brushing his teeth, feeding himself, changing the channel on the television, scratching an itch, or holding his wifes hand. But despite that, Detective McDonald FORGAVE THE YOUTH THAT SHOT HIM. Detective McDonald needs to be remembered for this. While here on earth Detective McDonald did his job well. From his days as a New York City Police Officer, to his final days of confinement in his wheel chair. With no ability to fend for himself. I never met Detective McDonald. I sure wish I did though. He will be one individual that I will NEVER FORGET. I will remember him for the HERO he was. I will remember him for the suffering he went through and for the kind of man he was. THANK YOU Detective McDonald for the job you have done. May you now Rest in Peace. Here is his story. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ6a3miemqs

Thanks for explaining that better to me.

"newsbuff", I took the FDNY exam way back in the early 70s. They had the same rules then. If hired, you must become a resident of the City or one of those counties. "I AM NOT A FDNY Member, but I have MANY friends who "ARE, or WERE". I consider them to some of the BEST Firefighters in the World. I know that because I spent about 40 years of my life watching them perform their duties. I really wouldn't consider those members of the FDNY to be "Sneaky". Actually, speaking as a buff and Retired Brother Firefighter from a much smaller place - "I CONSIDER THEM TO BE GREAT".

I just wanted to add this. Regardless of any additional points granted to residents, there is no law stating that those new firefighters MUST remain residents of that city or town once appointed. I could be wrong but I know of many places here in Connecticut where that is the case. Residents get the points added to their final score, but once appointed, these firefighters are free to move OUTSIDE of the city limits. For many cities it is purely an effort to boost the diversity numbers. Once that is accomplished the city doesn't care much if a guy/gal stays around. Things have certainly changed since my Probie Days. I was an outside resident and at my final interview with the chief of department, he told me I would be offered the job under one condition. That condition was that I was required to be a resident of that city. Just like all the other firefighters were required at the time. That is no longer the case. Anybody from Anywhere is allowed to apply to get the job. There are guys that live miles away now. However, there has been a growing trend on giving certain preference to hiring certain groups of people. The chief gets the final say on who he wants to hire. I can't speak for him but here is what I have noticed. 1) Groups on candidates to meet a diversity hiring preference, particularly if the are residents. In this case, I know each one and they are all respected members of the department. 2) Groups of local volunteer firefighters within the city's border. Again all well respected throughout the department. With that in mind, today this policy makes it very difficult for someone such as myself, who got this job years ago, to have any chance of getting that job today. My advice is to take EVERY TEST POSSIBLE and don't give up. I took Six test before I got the job. And I know another guy who is now a Lt here in Connecticut who took "THIRTY ONE TEST", yes 31, test before he got the job. Another friend who is also a Lt now as well, traveled back and forth to Baltimore from Connecticut for each series of the test. He scored well but still didn't get it. But he's very happy now where he ended up. Best of Luck Guys

I was a victim of Affirmative Action in Bridgeport, Ct. That was back in the mid 70s. Boston was also going through a similar case at the time. Apparently according to these cities, some people just didn't look the way they wanted them to in order to do the job as a firefighter. So in order to do the job that I grew up wanting to do, "just like my father", I had to pack my bags and leave. Leaving my family, my friends, and the only city and home I ever knew. I had ended up in some city about 75 miles away. In a place I had never been before. As it turned out, it was my gain and Bridgeport's loss. Within a few months I was able to buy a beautiful home that I never would have found in that Bridgeport area. There were old buildings there just like Bridgeport and they even had a ladder truck with a driver on the back too, just like Bridgeport. With a little extra work, I was able to get promoted and today I enjoy my retirement after 30 years with that fire department. My father was a firefighter in Bridgeport too. And one of his captains was a guy who looked much different than the rest of the guys. But it didn't matter because he was very well respected by the members throughout the department. and unlike so many others who came later, he earned his promotion and it wasn't just given to him. I am totally AGAINST any type of Affirmative Action or job offerings based solely on the way a person looks. Although I am NOT any kind of racist and I have facts to prove that.

"Viper" thank you for keeping us updated on this latest ruling. Of course it will be interesting to see what the opposing side has to say about it. As they claim that their side of the story was not heard by the state authorities. The laid off Port Chester Firefighters have already been eliminated without any state hearing at all. Both sides of the story should have been told BEFORE any action was taken regarding those Port Chester Firefighters. It is similar to being sentenced to prison BEFORE having any legal hearing. It is my hope that should that be proven to be the case, those eight former Port Chester Firefighters seek justice for unfair treatment and unjust cause. They should seek their former positions back if requested, along with ALL back pay and benefits as well. A counter suit should also be filed for being subject to a hostile environment and harassment. The citizens as well should be made fully aware through the media should those Port Chester Firefighters win this case successfully. It should also be brought up about the Chief Quinn remarks of breaking windows of other firefighters.

I had my meeting with the Norwich City Manager yesterday (Dec 4, 2016). When I reached city hall, the Norwich Career Fire Chief was also there. Apparently, this city manager had requested that chief to be there in attendance as well. I had no problem with that at all. In fact, I was glad to see him there. I never worked under this chief as a firefighter. I had retired before he got the job. But he was the FIRST Fire Chief hired from outside the city (from North Providence, RI). Of course, throughout this entire event, during almost a two year period since I started this campaign, he has always been advised of my plans and we DON'T always agree. But he is a friend and I have a great amount of respect for him. I think the meeting went very well. Much better than the previous meeting with the former Acting City Manager (who currently is under a Code of Ethics charge in an unrelated matter, and a possible FBI investigation). I later learned that former city manager was also a member of one of the volunteer fire departments involved, which seemed to me to be "a conflict of interest" in this matter. As I stated I think the meeting went very well with this city manager. The meeting was focused on IMPROVING the Fire Service of Norwich (Ct), NOT on any kind of take over. We talked about how this city needs the volunteer firefighters and I agreed. It has NEVER been my plan to eliminate any volunteer firefighters within the city. But to certainly create a better working relationship and to "PUT THE PUBLIC FIRST". We talked of the most recent fire (as posted above) and how I commended that volunteer fire chief of the East Great Plains Fire Dept in calling the Norwich Firefighters to the scene. That was the FIRST Dept he called to the scene. The Norwich firehouse is only ONE mile away from that fire scene, with one straight ride out West Main St (Route 82). I also told the city manager that had the Fire Chief NOT requested those Norwich Firefighters, things would be very different at this meeting. This was a commercial building that was NOT occupied at the time of the fire - 03:30 hours. I said but what if that was a residential building with people at the time inside there. And what if that chief did NOT call those Norwich firefighters. So who is responsible if someone gets hurt or trapped in there. I think the city manager and the fire commander is. A lawyer would decide that no matter what any department policy or by laws state. I assume public safety would prevail over any such case. The above mentioned fire was called in by an ON DUTY police officer over the radio. I told the city manager that when an on duty police officer calls in a building fire over the radio, "they are NOT lying". Then the ON DUTY 911 dispatchers SHOULD have the leeway to automatically send a second due company without waiting for a request from the chief. I also told him that those 911 dispatchers know when there is a serious incident going on. Most likely if they are getting several calls or a caller is in a building chocking on the smoke, "Those dispatchers should have the right to start additional help at the very beginning". Something that isn't done here. I also made it very clear to him that within 4-6 minutes death will occur if the brain does not get enough oxygen. Prior to death, the brain begins to die and there is less chance of escape. Any firefighter who has been around has seen the results of that. I told him very often the people die from the smoke, before the heat and fire ever gets to them. I told him how todays plastics burn producing think black smoke. Making it impossible to find your escape. I said it would be like being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and trying to find your way back. The city manager lives in the East Great Plains Fire District. The city fire chief lives in the Yantic Fire District. I mentioned to both of them, "if there is a fire in your home and your family members are inside that building, SHOULD THOSE ON DUTY NORWICH FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND before calling a farther away, unstaffed volunteer fire dept. In the above article about the fire, there were one or two comments posted claiming that I am considered a "HATER" of the volunteer firefighters. I mentioned that to the city manager and he saw it also. I then told him that a few years ago, through a fairly popular Connecticut Fire Dept web site, I offered to give FREE classes to ANYBODY who was interested in becoming a career firefighter. That was open to Norwich Volunteer firefighters as well. in fact one member from the Yantic FD got the job as a career firefighter in Norwich. He thanked me for the help he received. Would that be considered as being a "Hater" ? I told the city manager, of those who attended that class, most were volunteer firefighters and most ended up getting a career firefighters job somewhere. The city manager explained to me how the volunteer fire departments have a strong pride in their departments. Of course I understood that and I told him this is NOT about doing away with any volunteer firefighters. I too appreciate what they do for all of us. I told him how I have many friends throughout Connecticut who are volunteer firefighters. I also have volunteer firefighter friends in Westchester and Orange County, NY, as well as Virginia, even Tennessee. The city manager has asked me to talk to him before I pursue this issue through other means (the legal system). I told him, if he is the guy that has the final say then he must act NOW. We can not roll the dice anymore. The game is over. But I did inform him that out of respect for him, as well as the Norwich Fire Chief, that I WOULD DO THAT before going ahead with my plans. But this is NOT about to go on for another two years. This may NOT be over, but it is my own feeling that the city manager will do his best to rectify this very serious issue that exist within this city. I found this city manager to be very intelligent and very easy to work with. I appreciate the time he gave me. What I also learned about him is that his father was a member of the NYPD. I told him how I had a great amount of respect for the members of the NYPD, as well as the FDNY, and I think he was impressed when he told me his father worked on Mott St. My response was, "I know where that is, it's in lower Manhattan". I don't think he ever expected some "hick" from Connecticut to know that. I also would like to take a minute to thank this web site for allowing me to tell my entire side of the story. The readers here probably know more about what's going on, than the individuals directly involved themselves.

Apparently SOMEONE IS LISTENING. Interesting that early Saturday morning (Dec 31) there was a working fire in the East Great Plains Vol Fire District of the city. The first help they requested was from the Career Norwich Fire Dept. That has not happened very often over the last couple of decades. There is a new chief within that dept (EGP FD) and perhaps he realizes that he is not about to be the first guy to be held accountable for not calling the staffed, closer Norwich Firefighters. I commend this chief for making the right choice. That might not have gone over too well with those other chiefs, but I'm sure in time, they too, will get their chance to make the decision of whether to call those guys or an UNSTAFFED dept farther away. They will have their chance to show how tough they really are. as long as they are willing to present a very good case for not calling them. With no political support on this after two years, it is now time to take this a step further should the need arise. "TimesUp", I guess the best answer I can give you is that it basically is a form of mutual aid within the same city. The volunteer units come into the career area and it's supposed to be those guys go out to help them also. Here is the article from the local newspaper regarding the fire. www.theday.com/policefirecourts/20161231/early-morning-fire-badly-damages-norwich-office-complex-on-route-82

I am just guessing on this but this town (Lisbon) has never had a ladder truck and they figure that might be the required time to get the guys trained on it. Just a guess. This is a small town also and I don't see it getting too much use here either.

"PCFD Eng 58", I just read your comment (12/31/2016) on page 2 of "The Fractured Fire Service of Norwich, Ct". It seems that the place you once lived in, Port Chester, isn't the same. As I see it, Port Chester FD took a big step BACKWARDS. So many places are finding ways of either hiring firefighters or contracting out to outside departments who do have an on duty crew. As an example, in Portland, Ct., an all volunteer dept,, they contracted out with the nearby Middletown Fire Dept to send at least one piece of manned apparatus to incidents. Another small town near me, Preston, Ct., hired three firefighters for daytime coverage and a fulltime chief. The fire dept also provides the ambulance service as well. Another small local town (Ledyard, Ct) just hired one additional firefighter to add to the Monday through Friday coverage of Three firefighters, plus a fulltime fire marshal. To my north there are the small towns of Canterbury and Voluntown who do the same. In these examples presented, could they all be wrong in hiring full time firefighters ? I'm sure it comes with a price, but so does most of our other basic necessities in life come with a price tag. Our food, clothing, shelter. Our other public service employees that we all count on such as our teachers, police, public works, and our military. The City of Port Chester hasn't felt it yet. But I'm sure the day will come when SOMEONE WILL feel the effects of this decision, either in property loss or even injury or worse. After this decision was made: 1) Did all of those laid off Port Chester Firefighters find other fire dept jobs" ? 2) What happened to Chief Quinn after his comments to break windows on a firefighters home ? I can tell you this, "had those comments been made by career firefighters I know, they'd be looking at a few weeks suspension with NO pay had it become social media news".

PERHAPS SOMEONE IS LISTENING ! ! ! Early this AM, December 31, 2016, a working fire occurred in a building located at 598 West Main St. That is considered to be in the East Great Plains Volunteer Fire District of the city. I am HAPPY TO REPORT that in this case, the Fire Commander (Car 5), DID request the services of the Norwich Career Fire Department, which was the next closest department. Plus they are staffed. Responding from the Norwich FD was Engine 3, Truck 1, and Battalion 1 (five firefighters, one Lt, and a B/C). In addition, both the Yantic and Taftville Depts responded and I believe, the Laurel Hill Volunteer Departments as well. Was the Norwich FD requested because it was the right thing to do ? Were they requested for fear of a legal action to be taken against this fire commander if not requested ? Or were they requested because of some of the social media critics these fire commanders were facing in the past ? Only a few short weeks ago, a fire occurred at a 99 Restaurant less than two blocks away. With NO Norwich FD response. To quote from that social media: First Poster - "It's amazing to me that they don't call out the career guys on these assignments automatically" Response by Second Poster - "It all goes by run cards" First Poster - "Oh I know. Just makes no sense not to have a fully staffed career department in the same city, on every single one of these runs". Response from A THIRD Poster - "It's all internal politics. Career vs Volunteer, vs Serving the public...makes sense to send any and all resources that get the job done for the residents". So at this point, whatever it takes, this incident proves it can be done. It was a fire at an occupied group home a while back, located at 401 West Thames St, the East Great Plains District, in which things were totally different. There, the Career department being only 1.8 miles away was NEVER called. While one volunteer dept rode right by the career firehouse and another volunteer dept was requested from 8 miles away. Is this story over now ? By no means. However, this fire commander has made the right decision and perhaps has saved himself the very good possibility of a legal court battle. With the upcoming meeting with the Norwich City Manager, this will be the FIRST STEP taken in the RIGHT DIRECTION. However, it is NOT over at all. This MUST become the written policy of ALL the volunteer departments involved. With failing to do so resulting in immediate removal of the fire commander position on the city's part. As well as the very good possibility of legal action taken on by this Topic Author (NFD2004). Also, please feel free to share my thoughts with anyone you feel may be involved with this. Thank you. NFD2004, aka Willy D.

Simply put, the taxpayers of this city really have no idea what has been going on. All they've been told was that those career firefighters will cost you more money. In August, 2008, the career fire chief, who had earlier been selected through a nationwide search, presented a very workable plan to provide a combination career/volunteer fire service to cover the entire city. There were many hours of research put into that 8 page report on how EVERYONE could benefit from this. That report was never to be seen or heard of again. Of course I was lucky enough to get a copy of it. For years the local politicians have been bought and paid for by the the members of these volunteer departments. But with the concern of these fire commanders now being challenged by a taxpayer with some very basic knowledge of the fire service, and the possibility of some legal action taking, "if I were an elected official not willing to change things, I might be a little concerned about this". The simple solution is very easy and I learned it a long time ago as a firefighter/dispatcher. "When in doubt - Send them out". A response requiring two departments within that city (high hazard, Haz mat, structure fire etc), send the two closest departments, and in most cases, that would include the Career Department. Simply do that and we can all move on. Sounds easy enough but for some, it just can't be done.

"LayTheLine", actually it is pretty hard to explain. The Five Volunteer Districts all pay the same rate in taxes, while the City District residents pay extra for the salaries and benefits of those on duty firefighters. All equipment, including apparatus, gear, etc comes out of what is called the general fund. Half the cost for the Career Chief and the Fire Marshalls also comes from this fund. All of the taxpayers within the five volunteer districts pay the same tax rate while the area covered by the career dept pays the extra cost. Each volunteer fire district also presents it's own separate budget. I believe two of the volunteer firehouses are actually owned by those fire districts. However, the city pays to heat and maintain them from that general fund. This mess will also need to be straightened out at some point. There is no Fire Commissioner etc. The volunteer chiefs and officers are elected by their own membership. But the reality is that no one, no matter which side of the street they live on should be stuck in a building on fire trying to breath some fresh air, while waiting for some fire dept to show up because of a fire commander who thinks nothing of calling anybody but the closer on duty staff of firefighters. If I were a member of one of these departments, "I would be ashamed to be associated with them". Let alone the fact that these fire commanders don't even seem to care about their own members safety. The Fire Department is supposed to serve it's citizens, not the citizens serving the fire department. This city seems more concerned about serving a select group within these fire districts, rather than the people they are assigned to protect.

The Norwich Fire Department consist of 12 on duty firefighters, plus a battalion chief. The firefighters man 3 engines and one truck out of two centrally located firehouses. Surrounding that are Five - totally separate volunteer fire districts. The city of about 40,000 people is divided in half with a separate fire tax paid for by the property owners within that career fire district. Over MANY years, there has been a dividing wall put up between the career department and the volunteer departments. As the late President Reagan once said; "Tear down this wall". Referring to the Berlin Wall that divided East from West Germany. That wall was torn down and no longer exist. Norwich, Ct needs to tear down it's wall. At times fire apparatus has rode right by the career firehouse responding to other incidents. One example occurred last year at a working fire in an occupied group home of people with social issues. While the career department is actually the closest, being only 1.8 miles away, two local volunteer departments responded from within the city being much farther away. One volunteer department rode right by the staffed career fire headquarters, while those members were in the parking lot with training evolutions. Add to this, another volunteer fire department was requested at this working fire from outside the city limits, 8 miles away. Meantime a group of 9 firefighters, plus a battalion chief are only 1.8 miles away. Another example was an ammonia leak from a food storage warehouse. The Volunteer department responding to this incident requested the services of a Haz Mat team from the U.S. Sub Base Fire Dept in Groton, some 15 plus miles away. All while the much closer career fire department within the same city is 4 miles away. They are always staffed with a team of at least FOUR Haz Mat certified and equipped firefighters, right within the same town. These are just two of the kinds of examples that have occurred within the last year or so. However, this kind of activity is nothing new. It has been going on for a very, very long time. But after going to visit a close friend at a local nursing home where there was a grease fire, with many volunteer fire depts on the scene but no closer career firefighters, I felt it was time to try and do something about it. The elderly person I was going to visit, I was the primary contact person for their care. I also had many elderly friends there, some who were confined to wheel chairs or beds. In addition, two ladies that rent apartments from me, one who was pregnant at the time, work there and still work there. However, when a serious incident occurs within that career fire district, those local volunteer districts are ALWAYS requested. It just can not continue to go on like this. People, within that city, no matter what fire district can NOT be put at risk, while a group of closer on duty firefighters are NOT ALLOWED to respond. All based on a feud and a political system that should have ended decades ago. "Firemedic", that is it EXACTLY.

In almost two years, NOTHING HAS CHANGED for the Fire Service of Norwich, Ct. After a series of at least a dozen emails to city officials. After an Unsuccessful face to face meeting with the then Acting City Manager (currently involved in Code of Ethics violations, as well as a possible investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation). After a front page story in a local newspaper on July 2, 2016 called "Norwich's fire service more fractured than ever, officials say". After a most recent letter written to the editor of that newspaper called; "Turf wars trump fire rescue in Norwich". STILL NOTHING HAS CHANGED. After almost TWO YEARS since this concern was begun over four or five serious incidents, it appears to me that EVERYONE involved is afraid and under the control of these Five VOLUNTEER Fire Commanders. There is another planned face to face meeting coming up with the current city manager next month. We will try again but he has already been presented with the facts and still we see no changes. There are NO CHOICES. If no changes are made and there is any serious property damage, injuries, or death, it will be my duty to seek legal action on my own part. (Any winning from legal action will be donated to charity). This has gone on too long and it can NOT continue. My friends, their families, and co workers, along with their own firefighters as well, are ALL being put at unnecessary risk. All because some fire commanders think it is okay to call their friends from other depts. rather than a group of trained, on duty firefighters much closer. The questions are; 1) Why hasn't there been changes made by now 2) Is the city willing to accept responsibility for the actions of these fire commanders. Below is the most recent letter written in the local newspaper. This letter appeared on December 15, 2016. www.theday.com/letters-to-the-editor/20161215/turf-wars-trump-fire-rescue-in-norwich

During the 1970s, my brother and I were Volunteer Firefighters in Fairfield, Ct. It was a combination department of career and volunteer firefighters that got along very well together. Many of us as volunteers, were encouraged to become career firefighters and the fact is that many of us did just that. Some are retired now and rose through the ranks quickly. The Fairfield Fire Dept was ALWAYS very progressive in their thinking. EMT was encouraged when the term first came out and the Fairfield FD was one of the first in Connecticut to assume responding to medical emergencies. The use of air packs was another area in which the department emphasized to both it's career and volunteer firefighters, how important using them was long before todays everyday use. The Fairfield FD covers a large area which includes the very busy I-95, Merritt Parkway Rte 15, a large shoreline, many condos, large single family homes, office buildings and a busy commuter railroad. My brother and I are still very THANKFUL for all that the Fairfield FD taught us. We had fun and those career firefighters pushed us to do the right thing. I just hope the younger people of today get the same opportunity that so many of us had. The Fairfield FD gave us all a great start and NONE of us have forgotten that.

Another question if I may. Should a group of separate fire districts have a combined total cost HIGHER than ONE fire department in a similar town ? I ask that because I can NOT really understand why one town would rather have several separate and independently operated fire districts. What would be the leading advantages of operating such a system ? Not only do people NOT understand as you say, but even firefighters, officers and chiefs don't understand that. I have lived in a town for 40 years that has several separate fire districts and I still don't understand why. As a volunteer firefighter in another town about 75 miles away, there was only ONE Fire Department and that seemed to work very well. There was one boss, one budget, and one set of rules.

Okay, Got it. I was kind of thinking along that way myself. I just needed somebody to put it in simpler terms for me.

As I read that quote once or twice more, part of the statement that begins with "I am Mona Fraitag", Does it later say: "OUR FIRE TAXES COST ALMOST AS MUCH AS FOR POLICE, SANATATION, ROADS, the LIBRARY ETC -- COMBINED". She then adds - "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE". Let me also ask what she is referring to when she says "The Fire Districts self oversight diverted our taxes from what was best for our community and our brave firefighters, to the self serving interest of an invisible few". What does she mean by that ? In my own mind I automatically picture a place that spends a lot of money on it's fire protection. But more for the purpose of pleasing it's members rather than the people they serve. I could very well be wrong on that though.

Regardless of who takes that job or whether the person fails or succeeds in it, as I look at the cost to this fire department, I have to wonder how is that allowed to happen. It is stated that this fire department cost is MORE than the police, sanitation, roads, and the library - COMBINED. Something is seriously wrong there. And it seems that this individual is clearly upset with that. I can't say I blame her. I think if she were to fail it would be that despite her best interest, she may run into a brick wall put up by others who would try to resist this change in an effort to defend their own interest. In many places today, the "Good Ole' Boy System" is still Alive and Well.

Now you know how I feel when one local fire dept has to jump through hoops just to cross lines all within the SAME CITY. Of course I'm referring to the Fractured Fire Service of Norwich (Ct). Six separate fire departments and one of them NOT allowed to ENTER no matter what is at stake. Sorry, but I just could NOT pass up the opportunity to add to this comment.