Post by BrianSullivan on May 5, 2010 15:55:50 GMT -5
The following letter was already posted on this site, within this thread and discussions:
freeholdvoice.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mayorandtowncouncil&action=display&thread=5091
I repost it here to stand on its own and for easy reference int eh future.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-05/Letters/Dispatch_decisions_in_Freehold_raise_questions.html
Freehold Borough’s leaders often forget, and sometimes take for granted, the true dedication which the fire department members offer and the enormous significance a dispatcher within the firehouse plays in the quality of service which the Freehold Fire Department provides.
The mayor and Borough Council announced on April 5 that they would be eliminating the houseman/ dispatcher effective July 1, a position that has been a staple for over 100 years. It was stated by the mayor that the financial outlook looks “bleak” and the town had to compensate for a $350,000 loss in state aid. By removing the firehouse position the borough claims it will be saving $140,000.
However, the two full-time employees there are not losing their jobs; one is being transferred to the Water and Sewer Department, and the other is remaining a maintenance person at the firehouse Monday through Friday That, along with cost of contractingMonmouth County to dispatch our fire calls, raises the question, where are they actually saving any money by this decision?
Members of the department are strongly opposed to this drastic measure which directly affects the public and after hearing the facts we hope you too will join us and let your elected officials know.
A week prior to the council meeting, the chiefs of the department met with borough officials to discuss the purchase of new equipment. In that same meeting it was stated by the town that the position of houseman/dispatcher would be eliminated on July 1 and the chiefs were asked to have a transition plan in place by April 15.
The chiefs had absolutely no prior warning, and were being asked to change 100 years of operation in less than three weeks.
The town officials made it clear that this decision was final and that no persuasion would be considered from fire department personnel. No opportunity was offered for fire department officials to suggest possible alternatives.
Those may have included: writing a personnel grant to cover funds for salaries; further exploring other areas/departments in town to save money; leaving position as part-time only, saving the town money in health benefits; broadening our operation to include other agencies and drawing incoming funds.
In addition, the Freehold Fire Department’s historic building is located within the heart of the county seat. After factoring in the bus station which lies 50 feet away, the pedestrian traffic is comparable to no other town. The building has served as a walk-in reporting center for many emergencies including first aid calls, fire calls and disorderly subjects, among others. On April 14 we were notified of a possible structure fire by a subject who walked in and told the dispatcher on duty.
As of July 1, although we will continue to perform our duties as firefighters to the best of our abilities, the individual seeking immediate assistance will find a building that is tightly secured and unmanned a majority of the time.
Moreover, since this plan was announced several facts have surfaced: the start-up cost for such a transition was stated to cost at minimum $50,000 in the council meeting on April 5. At the council’s workshop meeting on April 19, the council introduced a bond ordinance that includes thousands of dollars of additional costs for the transition, which is higher than the council’s initial cost figure.
As stated earlier, town officials never consulted with the fire department on a reasonable timeline. They stated the effective date and were not receptive to discussion.
Based upon the transition which has occurred in other towns, the idea of this move occurring by July 1 is extremely inconceivable and poorly researched on the part of our governing body.
To reiterate: the duties of the firefighters within the Freehold Fire Department will not waiver.
However, our town’s leaders often forget, and sometimes take for granted, the services which we provide and fail to realize how they are directly damaging the quality and integrity of how we provide it. Furthermore, the respect, dignity and professionalism that failed to be extended by Freehold Borough officials was extremely disconcerting and should be made known.
Stephen Pullen
Company Captain
Reggie Sims
Past Department President
Michael Burtt
Department Ex-Chief
Freehold Fire Department
Freehold Borough
freeholdvoice.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mayorandtowncouncil&action=display&thread=5091
I repost it here to stand on its own and for easy reference int eh future.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-05/Letters/Dispatch_decisions_in_Freehold_raise_questions.html
Freehold Borough’s leaders often forget, and sometimes take for granted, the true dedication which the fire department members offer and the enormous significance a dispatcher within the firehouse plays in the quality of service which the Freehold Fire Department provides.
The mayor and Borough Council announced on April 5 that they would be eliminating the houseman/ dispatcher effective July 1, a position that has been a staple for over 100 years. It was stated by the mayor that the financial outlook looks “bleak” and the town had to compensate for a $350,000 loss in state aid. By removing the firehouse position the borough claims it will be saving $140,000.
However, the two full-time employees there are not losing their jobs; one is being transferred to the Water and Sewer Department, and the other is remaining a maintenance person at the firehouse Monday through Friday That, along with cost of contractingMonmouth County to dispatch our fire calls, raises the question, where are they actually saving any money by this decision?
Members of the department are strongly opposed to this drastic measure which directly affects the public and after hearing the facts we hope you too will join us and let your elected officials know.
A week prior to the council meeting, the chiefs of the department met with borough officials to discuss the purchase of new equipment. In that same meeting it was stated by the town that the position of houseman/dispatcher would be eliminated on July 1 and the chiefs were asked to have a transition plan in place by April 15.
The chiefs had absolutely no prior warning, and were being asked to change 100 years of operation in less than three weeks.
The town officials made it clear that this decision was final and that no persuasion would be considered from fire department personnel. No opportunity was offered for fire department officials to suggest possible alternatives.
Those may have included: writing a personnel grant to cover funds for salaries; further exploring other areas/departments in town to save money; leaving position as part-time only, saving the town money in health benefits; broadening our operation to include other agencies and drawing incoming funds.
In addition, the Freehold Fire Department’s historic building is located within the heart of the county seat. After factoring in the bus station which lies 50 feet away, the pedestrian traffic is comparable to no other town. The building has served as a walk-in reporting center for many emergencies including first aid calls, fire calls and disorderly subjects, among others. On April 14 we were notified of a possible structure fire by a subject who walked in and told the dispatcher on duty.
As of July 1, although we will continue to perform our duties as firefighters to the best of our abilities, the individual seeking immediate assistance will find a building that is tightly secured and unmanned a majority of the time.
Moreover, since this plan was announced several facts have surfaced: the start-up cost for such a transition was stated to cost at minimum $50,000 in the council meeting on April 5. At the council’s workshop meeting on April 19, the council introduced a bond ordinance that includes thousands of dollars of additional costs for the transition, which is higher than the council’s initial cost figure.
As stated earlier, town officials never consulted with the fire department on a reasonable timeline. They stated the effective date and were not receptive to discussion.
Based upon the transition which has occurred in other towns, the idea of this move occurring by July 1 is extremely inconceivable and poorly researched on the part of our governing body.
To reiterate: the duties of the firefighters within the Freehold Fire Department will not waiver.
However, our town’s leaders often forget, and sometimes take for granted, the services which we provide and fail to realize how they are directly damaging the quality and integrity of how we provide it. Furthermore, the respect, dignity and professionalism that failed to be extended by Freehold Borough officials was extremely disconcerting and should be made known.
Stephen Pullen
Company Captain
Reggie Sims
Past Department President
Michael Burtt
Department Ex-Chief
Freehold Fire Department
Freehold Borough