Middletown hears fire commission suggestions

[JetPhoto 626]

Middletown hears fire commission suggestions

By Heather Yakin

Times Herald-Record

December 04, 2007

Middletown — Months after Middletown's fire commission made recommendations for the city fire department, the report is getting to the full Common Council tonight.

The fire commission's recommendations went to the council's public safety committee in late spring. The council, often divided over the commission's work, is expected to address the report at tonight's meeting.

"Every department — it doesn't matter what profession — can look at themselves," said James Kitson, a commission member who's now also an alderman-elect. "It's not huge changes. It's just recommendations."

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[Guest alsfirefighter]

Why is it that anytime there is a recomendation or a study that fear drives hysteria? Why is it that there are those who jump the gun and run their mouths using terms like "taking over" and "eliminating" in combo departments just because the possibility that additional career staff will be added, which 9 times out of 10 is needed. Often positions that will be filled by those who have served time as volunteers in the system. Why is that combo departments to many work so well until they want to add more career staff to supplement the system for better, safer, more efficient response in lieu of low volunteer levels or response at certain times of the day.

Public safety shouldn't be outweighed by the ideals or fears of any one demographic of people. No other business in the world is run that way. If it is better for firefighter safety and utmost public safety then use your energy to make it work, not try to buck the system over baseless fears, lies and threats.

[Guest]

They should have 40 guys, they should have at least 2 guys on every rig for every run. If the volunteers are always so worried about losing their dept then why dont they show up in mass numbers? Its not really worth it to have a volunteer dept if only 5 members show up. The paid guys end up doing it at 3am on a Sunday or 11am on a tuesday. The rising cost of homes is pushing the traditional volunteer out of this Southern NY area. I am sure you can not be a member of the DPW in Middletown and Volunteer too, that would be a big problem with the two unions. Give them what they need!

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

Why is it you read the post ,then look over to see if the guy who wrote it is paid or not!

[JohnnyOV 2]

I dont see what the problem is. If you are understaffed with volunteers, need man power and new recruits and "old tymers" aren't providing adequate support....its time to go paid, combo, full, part time, who cares. Dont put your town at risk because your ego is at stake. The towns people would be much happier with you if you tell them their safety is at risk, then immediately show them a plan to increase it. To me, it is a no brainer.

Sure there are things like driving taxes up if you want paid guys...but why not think about consolidating your resources into a larger department. Each department doesn't need 4 engines, 2 ladders 3 rescues and a brush truck. I'm not saying down here in FL we're better, but things are run differently. For the same size area as some as these departments in westchester and the lower hudson valley, there is 1 engine, staffed with 2-3 paid guys and a volly if he wants to ride, and thats just for the unincorporated areas of volusia county (VCFS) city departments are fully paid, with the same resources.

Its time to take a look at how we are allocating our money, not just within our own departments, but the departments around us and cut the costs back significantly.

[JohnnyOV 2]

Why is it you read the post ,then look over to see if the guy who wrote it is paid or not!

what does that have to do with anything?