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This is in response to Leo regarding downsizing Fire Districts. I am a homeowner, a VOLUNTEER fire fighter and a VOLUNTEER fire commissioner at Pine Hill and I would like to tell you the whole story. First consolidation would not mean you need fewer volunteers; you would have the same amount of emergencies to answer requiring the same amount of men and women. Secondly, you probably would need less equipment but how much less? The equipment would be used twice as often meaning more maintenance costs and the life of the equipment would be cut in half so you would have to replace it twice as often. The largest annual cost of a fire district is the insurance. The VFBL, workers comp is required by the state and its costs are based on the number of residents a fire district serves. If you combine 2 fire districts the cost would be added together saving zero tax dollars. Each fire district has what is called an ISO rating; this rating directly affects the cost of you homeowners insurance. This rating can and does get affected by response times which will be diminished by consolidation, costing each homeowner more money. I would like to address the so called generous pensions that we receive. At Pine Hill we have a Length of Service Award Program or LOSAP. Ours carries a maximum of $500 per month at age 62. To be eligible for this pension you must complete your first year in the fire company, it is at this time that you start earning time for the award. You must then make a certain amount of calls, drills, events etc. and earn points to receive a year of credit. You need 5 more years to be vested or you receive nothing. To receive the maximum you must be an active fire fighter in the same fire district for 26 years. Each program is set up slightly different however they are all governed by the laws of New York State and they are audited each year by an outside accountant who turns the report over to the state comptroller. As for Rural Metro, the paramedics and EMT’s do a very good job and they are underpaid however their lack of a pension has nothing to do with the fire districts. They work for a private corporation and are represented by a union and remember they are getting paid and receiving benefits unlike the volunteer fire fighters. Lastly, you did not say which fire district you live in but if you live in Pine Hill stop by any Wednesday when we are practicing and pick up an application and if you make it 6 years you too will be eligible for $100 per month.

COMMENTS:

to leo of Cheektowaga
Submitted by Dave D. Posted on: 2009-11-26
Leo if you appreciate your volunteer firefighers/ First Aid service why are you complaining! to start I am not a voulunteer but i respect every man and woman out there who is. they are the ones who come to peoples homes at 3am and then have to go to work at 7.They give up a lot of time with families to help the community.If you think there is enough voulunteers your wrong volunteers are always needed.there are 10 districts in cheektowaga where you can join, Doyle,South Line,Pine Hill,forks, Rescue,U Crest,Sloan,Hy-view,Bellevue, and cleveland Hill.
i also don't know how your can say consolidation is good. my father was a firefighter and time is everything in this field consolidation will only make response time longer but it seems to me you don't care about others in your community! maybe you should do some research amd join your local fire company and see why they have all this equipment and you will learn its used for your house, my house, and all the other s in the community.Leo maybe you can join the volunteers and stop complaining about volunteers who might save your life one day!