Dear Editor:

A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report tabulates the median number of paid firefighters for populations of 25,000 to 49,999 at 1.27 persons. This is the result of a nationwide survey and gives an idea of the most common staffing levels however it does not reflect a recommendation by the NFPA. (Source: NFPA Survey of Fire Departments for U.S. Fire Experience, 2007.)

Jacksonville now has 6 full-time equivalent firefighters

[7 paid] 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 (Jacksonville City Council Packet January 5, 2010).

Crescent City California has a population of 7,250. The fire department is staffed by 29 volunteers of whom 7 are EMTs, one is a paramedic, and one a registered nurse. It has one paid chief (personal interview Chief Wakefield).

Brookings Oregon has 5,500 residents, 23 volunteer firefighters (1 woman), and a paid chief and assistant chief (Brookings Fire web site).

Molalla Oregon Fire protects 7,300 residents with 5 paid staff, 25 volunteers with 20 EMTs among them. They protect 101 square miles (personal interview with Asst. Chief Mike Naylor and Molalla Fire web site).

Both Bandon and Amity Oregon Fire protect 3,000+ citizens. Bandon is all-volunteer and Amity has two paid personal and 47 volunteers. Amity has an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of 5, and Jacksonville has a 4. Forty percent of the ISO grade is based on a town’s water supply and Jacksonville’s is very good (ISO Rating Schedule, web sites of Amity and Bandon Fire).

For the reasons cited above, many of our citizens are puzzled by the May election being overturned and a higher water bill Fire Surcharge levied in June. Our village is an outlier among Oregon towns and a very expensive one. It is time to re-order the situation without depleting fire or rescue coverage. It can be done with community involvement and support.

Sincerely,
Hubert Smith,
Jacksonville