I am writing regarding the proposed additional fire station. What may not be fully appreciated are the trends, identified more than 10 years ago, that have led the town to face the reality that a new station is the most practical, economic and flexible solution to a problem that threatens to leave the town with an inadequate response to a structure fire, major accident or wildfire. These risks are significant and cannot be wished or studied away.
The trend of the weakening of the town’s volunteer firefighting force is not recent, and much thought, over many years, has gone into evaluating possible solutions. The town has already hired professional firefighters as a necessary backstop to the volunteer force. If trends continue as expected, more will be needed.
The question, perhaps, is not whether more study is needed, but rather, what questions would further study answer that would lead to a different conclusion? The cost and capability of the new station have been studied, debated and modified many times. Questions regarding response times, alternative costs for modifying the existing stations to house an expanding professional force, and effects on insurance were all recently addressed in a report to the Select Board that is publicly available. (I am a volunteer emergency medical technician and I had a small role in preparing that report.) The town’s fire chiefs, the town’s fire administrator, and many others with direct experience support the current proposal. Plausible alternatives have been well examined.
Finally, the existing stations with many dedicated volunteers will continue to operate as they do today. Local stations will remain a vital part of the town’s firefighting capability.
Let’s not wait for a tragedy to make the point clear: Prudent planning and careful consideration of the facts dictate that an additional station is needed now.
Chris Manos, Cundy’s Harbor
