Dear Editor:
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. We currently have a professional Fire Department capable of quickly responding to auto accidents, medical calls, house and other structure fires, hazardous materials accidents, and forest fires.
Nine years ago, the City was on the path of establishing a Jacksonville Rural Fire District via Measure 15-41. Under this Measure, the City would have a paid Fire Chief and one paid professional fire service member, with the remainder of the Department staffed by volunteers. The Citizens realized that this action would not provide the timely level of fire, safety, auto accident, medical assistance, and hazardous material response capability desired. Statistics show in 2002, of the 284 calls, there were 110 response calls greater than 7 minutes, (Today, the standard for Jacksonville is 4-5 minutes). Clearly, this raised the concern of Jacksonville residents and therefore, Measure 15-41 was defeated.
Following defeat of Measure 15- 41, a citizen group formed with the realization that a change had to be made and that a viable Fire Department had to be established. The citizen group requested, and the City Council approved, establishment of a citizen’s ADHOC Committee. Over a period of 6 months, the Committee conducted numerous surveys, met with other fire service professional and volunteer organizations and developed plans for supporting a capable Fire Department with both professional and volunteer staff. Budgets and options for staffing were developed and funding levels were established. After deliberation, the ADHOC Committee recommended a staff of 5 professional fire fighters (including the Chief), 3 student Fire Fighters, 2 Summer Fire Fighters and 15-20 Volunteers. The City Council approved the plan and adopted the Public Safety Action in 2003.
Funding for the Fire Department was primarily paid by a surcharge of $15/ month/household, with provisions for a reduced surcharge for lower-income households. As the levels of staff cost and equipment requirements increased, the surcharge increased to the current level of $31/month, or a little over $1.00 per day.
Let’s not “reinvent the wheel.” As we learned from the experience in 2002, a professional paid Fire Department can save lives and property. We currently have a viable and capable Fire Department that can meet all of the fire and medical service needs of Jacksonville residents.
Sincerely,
Former City Councilor,
Dick Ames