Don't change volunteer fire service in Norwich
I'm responding to your Dec. 6 editorial, "Fire Service Change will prove inevitable" which was almost entirely based on incorrect opinions, false stereotypes and assumptions instead of facts.
The editorial painted a picture of an antiquated volunteer fire service in the Town Consolidated District (TCD) of Norwich where recruitment, training, response time, professionalism, and retention are problems. All of your opinions are incorrect.
There are hundreds of highly trained and dedicated individuals that currently volunteer as firefighters for the five volunteer departments in the town district.
In November 2014 alone, those individuals responded to 159 emergencies at little to no cost to their neighbors. Paid Norwich Fire Chief Ken Scandariato not only agreed the current system works well, he described the volunteer system as "robust" (as published in the Day on Dec. 5) and commented that the Norwich department often relies on volunteer firefighters for calls that would otherwise overwhelm his paid staff.
Volunteer firefighters typically have many state certified classes, including fire officer, fire instructor, HAZMAT, and specialized rescue. Also, dozens are Emergency Medical Technicians trained in the use of automatic defibrillators. Initial response is usually within minutes of the call and with volunteers populating all corners of the district, rapid on-scene time is a normal occurrence.
While some members are employed out of the area, many are swing-shift employees, so we typically benefit from additional daytime availability from that segment of our community. They are employed as blue-collar workers, customer service or sales and medical providers; professional carpenters, plumbers, engineers and electricians; truck drivers, gaming employees, and lawyers; educators, police officers, and yes, career firefighters. That diverse employment background helps the women and men who volunteer overcome obstacles with real life experience outside of the fire service.
In regards to taxation, the general fund pays for the operating budgets of all fire departments in Norwich, while those in the City Consolidated District pay additional property taxes for the paid salaries. Modest incentives offered to volunteers are paid solely by TCD taxes and are effective tools for recruitment and retention, as many departments are at or near membership capacity.
Suggesting "volunteer firefighting traditions or emotions" are to blame for resistance to the taxation proposal is incorrect. Firefighters and taxpayers alike strongly resent the proposal to be unfairly taxed for a fire department that doesn't protect them. Any member who is allowed to benefit from those programs must meet strict criteria in regards to attendance, participation at calls, and mandatory training requirements.
While the CCD does service City Hall, library, and some public service agencies, the TCD protects several more Norwich departments: the Senior Center, Housing Authority, Board of Education, Health Department, ice rink, Public Works, and Dodd Stadium. Also, volunteers protect 10 of the 13 Norwich public schools, Norwich Tech and Three Rivers College. Connecticut has two Department of Transportation garages, Uncas on the Thames, the Guard Armory, and the Department of Motor Vehicles office all located in the town district. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a branch in the district. And volunteers protect The William W. Backus Hospital and several of its satellite offices.
One of the most important factors ignored by the editorial is the desire of the community in question: What kind of fire service would they choose? Residents of the TCD overwhelmingly approve of the protection provided to them by the five volunteer departments. The taxpayers I have spoken with are grateful for their neighbors' participation and would reject a paid service if given the choice. Many write to thank departments for timely and professional service. Others participate in fundraisers to show their appreciation or come to tour our stations to see what the local firehouse is all about. Some join to help.
Instead of attempting to unfairly tax the TCD, perhaps it is time for the current city leadership that is adverse to change to make changes in the City Consolidated District.
Frank Blanchard is the fire chief for Yantic Fire Engine Co. #1.
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