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Southern Indiana | I could write a book on this, but will try to summarize. As a township trustee I've been responsible for fire protection for my township for several decades and recently formed a fire territory with 2 adjoining townships. We all contracted with the same volunteer fire dept and have had a very good relationship with each other and the dept.
There are several problematic issues with the fire protection services. Smaller departments like ours are able to gets boots on the ground when called out but the core of volunteers you can count on is getting smaller and smaller. We have discussed going fulltime paid in the near future (3 to 5 years).
The problem is The fire equipment business is a racket. One company controls all the major manufacturers. I guess antitrust is not applicable because the customers are mostly bottomless pits of cash municipalities and districts. They are bottomless pits of cash because politically you cannot criticize the fire department. "What, do you want people to die?", they say if you ask why something costs so much.
Bought a nice pumper on a Frieghtliner chassis in 1996 for $157,000 brand new. Bought a used 98 model ladder truck in 2010 for 360,000. Replacement for that truck was ordered last summer to be delivered this summer, now they say late next year. Maybe. No one seems to know why, but it's not even started. 1.6 million. Pump testing, hose testing, ladder testing, $2500 For set of turnout gear(pants, coat and helmet) that ages out whether it's ever seen a fire scene, same deal with breathing apparatus. Once again you cannot criticize because it's all about safety.
My philosophy from day one has always been "everything you need and most of what you want". Also I do not fuss too much with guys who will roll out of bed at 3am for no pay.
But the whole industry side of it is a racket. | |
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New fire truck for small fire district.
