In response to Mr. Bassani’s comments, I would like to clarify a couple of issues. Firefighters have plenty to do everyday, training, equipment checks, re-certification, property inspections, over and above emergency and routine events. We have been responding to a wide range of calls for decades. Our training is complex to prepare for these incidents, everything from cats up a tree to 3rd alarm fires. Our job is very diverse and no two calls are the same.
Paid on-call firefighters are just that, “on-call firefighters.†Most have full-time jobs that somewhat restrict their ability to respond in the day or night time. On-call firefighters have good intentions and are doing their part as citizens to help out in their community.
I agree that the Township firefighters have excellent equipment and fire halls. Our community needs four firefighters, 24/7 in these fire halls to utilize this equipment to provide safe, successful operations in a timely manner for our community. Mr. Bassani’s suggestion that we do more with less as to “do something for the taxpayerâ€, is short sighted. The Township firefighters are asking for 4 firefighters to respond to emergency calls. The I.A.F.F, after extensive studies reports, that fire companies responding with four firefighters are 73 per cent more effective than responding with three.
The Township firefighters are asking for manpower to make their service to the public safer and more efficient. As a taxpayer myself and a retired firefighter, I support their efforts.
Ken Johnson, Langley