City Of Poughkeepsie to hire 7 new firefighters with grants

[x635 4,066]

The City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department is at its lowest staffing level "in department history," said fire Chief Mark Johnson.

But some temporary relief is on the way.

The department will be able to hire seven new firefighters for two years with nearly $1 million through FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants, Johnson said.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2015/07/30/city-hire-new-firefighters/30852365/

[SECTMB 612]

The article doesn't mention what happens when the grant money expires. Are the new hires kept on? If so by higher tax revenue? or money available through attrition of existing firefighters that are not replaced by new firefighters and you just end up short staffed again.

Allow me to be naive for a moment. I need a break from work. Can we all agree on a National minimum staffing for an engine and a truck. Then lets look at whether or not a department truly has the financial ability to meet that minimum staffing standard. If not, they deserve grant money themselves until their economies can sustain the expense. To be clear, not 'ideal' staffing but agreed upon 'minimum' staffing.

Maybe the money could be redirected from supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood who focus on the 'not quite living' and given to the organizations that truly focus on the living.

Just a thought.

[fire2141 33]

In addition to staffing it appears that the PFD is equipment poor as well. I live a few blocks from the Hooker Avenue house and i've noticed while driving by the one of the engines is a circa late 50's-60's open cab LaFrance. Can anyone shed some light on this. This piece is way to old to be a spare.

[ups2ooo 1]

The PFD has been understaffed for years. They work with 2 officers and 10 firemen staffing 3 engines and 1 ladder and 1 tower out for 3 firehouse per shift. They average 5500 runs a year with a good amount of working fires. The engine you see out on Hooker ave is not in service ever. The rigs that do run are pretty beat up. They are past the point of doing more with less and the 7 hires will help but they need more.

[JM15 386]

The article doesn't mention what happens when the grant money expires. Are the new hires kept on? If so by higher tax revenue? or money available through attrition of existing firefighters that are not replaced by new firefighters and you just end up short staffed again.

Allow me to be naive for a moment. I need a break from work. Can we all agree on a National minimum staffing for an engine and a truck. Then lets look at whether or not a department truly has the financial ability to meet that minimum staffing standard. If not, they deserve grant money themselves until their economies can sustain the expense. To be clear, not 'ideal' staffing but agreed upon 'minimum' staffing.

Maybe the money could be redirected from supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood who focus on the 'not quite living' and given to the organizations that truly focus on the living.

Just a thought.

What do you think the "national minimum staffing" levels should be?

[M' Ave 1,466]

The article doesn't mention what happens when the grant money expires. Are the new hires kept on? If so by higher tax revenue? or money available through attrition of existing firefighters that are not replaced by new firefighters and you just end up short staffed again.

Allow me to be naive for a moment. I need a break from work. Can we all agree on a National minimum staffing for an engine and a truck. Then lets look at whether or not a department truly has the financial ability to meet that minimum staffing standard. If not, they deserve grant money themselves until their economies can sustain the expense. To be clear, not 'ideal' staffing but agreed upon 'minimum' staffing.

Maybe the money could be redirected from supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood who focus on the 'not quite living' and given to the organizations that truly focus on the living.

Just a thought.

Tough part about a minimum is that it will become the standard. The Bean-counters will call them, "staffing requierments", cleverly leaving out the word minimum.

They're so small minded they probably WOULD gut an organization dedicated to woman's health and family planning. (Ignore the Fox Propoganda Channel brother....and CNN and MSNBC for that matter.....)