Bill’s Point of View: The Public Has A Right To Know
Monday, April 19, 2010
By Bill Cleary
Dave Stallwood made some interesting suggestions in his commentary about the Gloucester City Fire Department. The thought of having the populace vote via a referendum on what to do with this 33 member department sounded like a good idea to me. With the economy in the midst of a recession, a 10 percent unemployment rate, people losing their homes, our City Fathers are going to be forced into taking some kind of action to cut this department’s $4 million budget. I hate to see anyone lose their job however I also hate to see my neighbor or your neighbor lose their home because of escalating taxes.
Gloucester City’s Fire Department is staffed by 33 fulltime firefighters, 10 of who are supervisors. Salaries are approximately $2,565,003. Health benefits for those employees and retirees along with other costs amounts to an estimated $1.5 million. The City has 25 volunteer firemen.
After looking at area fire department websites one thing stands out, the Gloucester City Fire Department is doing themselves and the public a disservice by not informing the taxpayers about what they actually are getting for $4 million.
Presently the Gloucester City Fire Department's site contains three press releases. Two of those releases contain one line each, while the third is about a $250,934 FEMA grant the department received for fiscal year 2007.
In January 2009 this reporter made a request for a weekly list of fire calls broken down for each day including the address of the emergency. Chief Hagan said a report is produced each month giving the total number of fire and EMT calls. “To break the report down for each day is possible but does require a lot of time. I have no problem giving you the monthly report. It is the same report we give to mayor and council.”A year has passed and I am still waiting for the information so it could be publicized on CNB.
Take a look at the random selection of area fire department websites mentioned below you will find a monthly list of fire calls and EMS calls along with other pertinent information.
The Westville Fire Dept. is staffed by 40 VOLUNTEERS, two career firefighters, a fire Marshall’s office and a fire official make up the department. The Westville Fire Department offers free training in Firefighting and Emergency Medical Services. As a new member to the fire service you will be required to attend the Firefighter I program as well as the Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) class. We offer a newly re-finished bunk room area for duty crew nights as well as a fun atmosphere allowing you to hang out and make new friends. As well as the self-satisfaction of giving something back to your community.
The Woodbury Fire Dept. consists of 4 career and 30 volunteer firefighters.
The Collingswood Fire Dept. employs 19 people 17 career firefighters and two secretaries. The Fire Department proudly keeps an ISO rating of 3, saving residents and business owners precious money in insurance premiums
More Specific Duties Provided:
• The morning of the High School Prom, a "Mock Crash" is held on the parking lot of the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Members of the Fire Department demonstrate to the Senior Class the consequences of drinking and driving. Student's acting as drunk drivers have to be cut out of crashed vehicles with the "Jaws of Life" to demonstrate the grave consequences of drinking and driving.
• Members conduct a puppet show for Kindergarten students to teach them how to "Stop, Drop and Roll," how to use "911" in an emergency and to not play with matches.
• Welcome Packets are delivered to new residents of Collingswood which include Residential Pre-plans, information about Home Safety Inspections, Free Smoke Detectors and other goodies.
Haddon Hts. Fire Dept. has 45 volunteers and three paid employees (administrative assistant, a fire official, an assistant chief). Membership in the Haddon Heights Fire Department is truly a rewarding experience. Though no remuneration is given to members the reward of helping those in need is immeasurable. Any resident with a desire to help will be welcome. Perhaps you're unable to assist in the more physically challenging tasks members are asked to perform. If you are willing to help there is something you can do to assist the overall organization.
The Mount Ephraim Fire Department is an all volunteer department presently consisting of over 80 members operating out of two stations (Bell Road Station, and Lambert Ave Station). Together, the M.E.F.D. responds to over 400 calls per year, providing fire prevention / protection, and rescue services to the residents, businesses, and visitors of the one square mile borough including portions of Interstates 295, 76, and the Black Horse Pike. The department also provides mutual aide to neighboring boroughs of Bellmawr, Haddon Heights, Gloucester City, Audubon, Runnemede, Oaklyn, Brooklawn and West Collingswood Heights. We respond anytime, anyplace someone needs us.
Bellmawr Fire Dept. is staffed by 45 volunteers. The Bellmawr Fire Department provides an outstanding atmosphere with state-of-the-art apparatus and equipment and these benefits...
- Free Training: All firefighting, rescue and emergency medical training is provided.
- Partial College tuition for you and or a member of your family.
- A great sense of community and serving a good cause.
- Use of one of our three Banquet halls.
- Leadership: Opportunities for advancement and responsibility on both the operational and administrative side of the Bellmawr Fire Department.
- Family: Camaraderie and lifelong friendships.
