Letter to the Editor

Fire truck, equipment changes frustrate firefighters

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Dear editor and citizens of Nevada:

Governing is about setting priorities and making hard choices. The hope is that by gathering information from experts the policy makers can make wise decisions that benefit the most people. That is the hope.

In July 2004, a committee of fire fighters submitted a proposal to the city manager for a new rescue truck to replace the 24-year-old one that they run now. April 2005, the city council approved a revised plan for the truck.

It is now March 2006, and the council is considering the financing of the new vehicle. As they discuss the new truck it is clear that many changes have occurred without the committee of firefighters. The rescue truck is now being called a Mobile Command Unit. It includes a crew compartment without a seat. Compartment space for tools has been removed to allow for a 30-foot tower for wireless Internet and a video camera.

The truck is now too long and too tall to fit in the station. Where does the money come from to enlarge the station's door?

It is not as though the Fire Department has an unlimited amount of money to work with.

For each new item that is added by City Hall something else must be removed -- something the men who will use the truck believe is needed.

On Feb. 7, the Fire Fighters Union presented the council their priorities for necessary equipment to make their job safer. It included more radios and a machine to decontaminate their gear. The firefighters were essentially told that their concerns were valid, but the funding would not be made available to address those concerns.

Governing is about setting priorities and gathering information from experts to make wise decisions.

I do not believe this is happening with regard to the fire department.

Concerned citizens should ask policy makers to focus on the most important needs of the city. At the last council meeting Councilman Rayburn moved and Councilman Stacy seconded the motion to delay the funding for the Mobile Command Unit while they gathered more information.

I encourage the citizens of Nevada to let their priorities and concerns be heard. City Hall does not seem to be listening to its employees, let us hope they will listen to the taxpayers.

One final question.

On Feb. 7, the city's budget for 2006 was passed. Concerns had been raised about the decreased funding for the fire department. Part of the decrease was explained away by the intention to not hire a fire chief until summer. The same night the budget was passed, a new chief was hired. Where will the money come from to pay the new chief?

Respectfully,

Cindy Bullard

Nevada