The Columbia Firefighters Association is asking for citizens to call on city leaders in an effort for City Council to lay out their long term plans to fully fund public safety. While we do not stand for or against either proposed Special Tax District; the Columbia Firefighters Association however, cannot support any project that further diverts sustained tax revenue away from critical public safety needs.
As stated in the February 4th, 2010 Opinion Editorial of the State Paper; “The city can't afford to establish special tax districts that would siphon money away from more immediate, basic service needs to pay for projects aimed at jump-starting development in two areas of town.” And further states, “Yet, some on the council want to press on alone with this ill-timed tax district, which would divert future tax dollars needed to shore up basic services.” Each year the fire department must outline its $19.7 million budget in detail, yet the looming creation of $190 Million tax district has no definitive plans. There is now even a proposed tax increase to replace the city’s deteriorating emergency vehicle fleet.
Twist no words; the Columbia Fire Department’s resignation rate increased 45% last year with many of those resignations coming just in the last 6 months. Additionally, over the last three years the fire department alone has lost 95 firefighting employees. When considering it costs over $400,000 to run a single probationary fire recruit class for 24 new and inexperienced firefighters, the 3 year cost for employees walking out the door is nearly $1.6 million dollars. Drastic cuts have been made to employee benefits and pay, simply to turn around and spend even more money on hiring inexperienced new firefighters. Who can legitimately justify this expense as the cost of doing business?
Our point is simple; we would like to see how our City Council plans to support current public safety needs; as well as the long-term strategic goals of keeping homeowner’s fire insurance rates affordable. We fully agree with re-opening all closed engine companies on March 1st; but sustained funding must be found or the city will continue to pour funds in to a never-ending employee revolving door. Even when all closed engine companies come back on line; the city as a whole is still two to three fire stations short of decreasing fire response times to meet nationally recognized acceptable levels. Continuing to use firefighter benefits to open closed fire companies is not a long term solution. Money will be spent on public safety one way or another. Furthermore, once these districts are created, they must somehow be protected with a greater police and firefighting force.
The real question becomes, what level of Public Safety Service do the citizens deserve and the leaders of Columbia and Richland County desire to have. Do not be fooled; the choice is theirs.
Many of our readers have sent me communications asking why the blog has reported on Columbia so much when there are departments with serious issues needing attention. Rather than respond to each email or phone call I'll take this time to say I hear you and will work harder on bringing out more national content. You should see the Columbia coverage reduce anyway because there are media outlets reporting on the issues there now and in the future.
The Fire Chief Search
Often when a department decides on a new fire chief they look inward. In many departments this is a good idea due to the size of the department and the time it would take for a leader (not a manager) to learn the ins and outs of a thousand member department.
Other times it is wise to look outside especially if the department is falling off the map. At all times the fire chief candidate should be someone with good leadership skills. The management model is an exercise in futility. A leader, with management skills, should be sought.
The question of education usually comes up. One doesn't need a Masters degree to be a good chief but the majority of cities looking for a fire chief want at least an associates or bachelors degree.
More important is well rounded skills. Can the candidate lead? Can they inspire? In a ten minute talk can they outline a vision for the future?
Posted at 10:32 AM in Fire Service Commentary | Permalink | Comments (4)