Please read first two recent Letters to the Editor upon which the following commentary is based:
Letter from Mr. Hubert Smith regarding funding for the Jacksonville Fire Department
Letter from Mr. Dick Ames regarding funding for the Jacksonville Fire department
A casual reading of Mr. Smith’s letter might lead one to conclude […]
I am deeply concerned about the movement that is under way to reshape our Fire Department from the current structure of six professional fire service members, augmented with interns and volunteers, to a volunteer fire department. While I respect and support the work and dedication of volunteers and what they accomplish, I strongly believe that an all-Volunteer Fire Department will place our citizens and neighbors at risk.
A National Fire Protection Assn report tabulates the median number of paid firefighters for populations of 25,000 to 49,999 at 1.27 persons. The result of a nationwide survey, this gives an idea of the most common staffing levels however it does not reflect a recommendation by the NFPA. Jacksonville now has 6 full-time equivalent firefighters and the department has projected an 11-person department by FY 2013-2014. This would take the present $541,000 fire budget to $1,400,000 by FY 2012-2013.
How often does a vacation transcend the outside to the inside, from the excluded to the included, to join the harvest and share stories of the road with new friends?
Guest Opinion by Tony Hess