LETTERS
Departments
Pensions for Volunteers
The fire department of Ithaca, N.Y., like many others, is studying methods to provide incentives to both secure and retain volunteer fire fighters. Our department is a combination operation that responded to some 1200 fire-related emergencies last year. This does not include EMS calls. The volunteers in our department have watched the wage and benefits package for paid personnel grow and grow. We do not object to this and, in fact, have actively supported some of their improvements. However, the cost of being a volunteer has also been growing. We have found our fuel costs soaring, our employers becoming impatient and lost wages are creating problems. Lastly, there is a serious discrepancy between the quality and quantity of protective equipment supplied to the paid and volunteer personnel.
Several avenues to provide incentives as well as relief have been suggested. Among these suggestions was a pension or retirement plan for volunteer fire fighters. Although the possibility of such a program, on a local basis, seems remote, we must start somewhere. Information about any other known incentive programs for volunteer fire fighters would be appreciated.
Capt. W. Lyle Neigh (volunteer)
Torrent Hose Company 5
Ithaca Fire department.
136 W. State St.,
Ithaca. N.Y. 14850
Addressing The Problems
I am retired from the City of Warwick, R.I., Fire Department and am a part-time (volunteer) instructor to fire companies in Waldo County. I find less and less usable information in FIRE ENGINEERING each issue. Don’t get me wrong, the articles are interesting and informative, just not as usable as they once were.
For what it’s worth, I don’t like the direction the magazine seems to be taking. The first line of defense has always been the line fire fighter. The magazine seems to be directing more and more of its content to the administrator or chief. I always maintained and taught that there were three causes for loss of a structure: lack of water; stupid chiefs (I was a battalion chief so I know from whence I speak) and lack of knowledge of the building, would expect “The lournal of the Fire Service” to address at least two of these. Isn’t it ironic that the very same problems that have plagued the fire service for a century are still with us — standardizing couplings, for example?
Please don’t think I’m bitter or a malcontent that was forced to retire. After 31 years as a fire fighter, I took all the knowledge, much of it learned through trial and costly error, the “gold watch” and left. Now another generation of fire fighters must learn the same things in the same way. This, to me, is the most tragic thing that happens daily to the American fire service.
Harry A. Lefebvre
Liberty, Maine
Kudos For New Look
I have just received my copy of the October issue of FIRE ENGINEERING and want to extend my “kudos” for the “new look.” The appearance is most attractive, easy to read, well organized into appropriate sections for quick reference, and is a notable improvement.
I have been a subscriber of FIRE ENGINEERING since 1964 and have maintained all issues as a reference file since that time. They have become an ongoing resource of information for me as a fire fighter, chief officer and state fire instructor. The quality has always been a consistent high but this new style is refreshing and inviting.
Thank you for the superb “Volunteers Corner” which have been so helpful and informative.
Deputy Chief Ray E. Davidson
Vergennes, Vt., Fire Dept.
The new format looks great. I am sure you will hear many comments. Some will be unfavorable, but the great silent majority certainly will like the look.
Dick Friend
F’ublic Information Officer, L A. County Fire Dept.
Consolidation Info Wanted
I would like any information readers can give pro and con consolidation of fire and police into a single public service concept. As you can probably guess, it is for tax alleviation, due to government cutback in revenue sharing money.
The department is opposed to the plan on the grounds that no man can serve two masters regardless of the amount of training he might have in both fields of service.
Chief Reginald A. Austin
City of St. Albans, Vt., Fire Dept
