Thursday, February 7, 2013

Westerly Story on Fire Dept.

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=bb78dc7e-82ed-45e9-8503-60b34201c955

12 comments:

Brian Steven said...

Two points:
The purpose of a FD is not to get the lowest insurance rates. It is about saving lives, reducing injury and reducing property damage.

And second - You can't have it both ways. Reliance on a completely volunteer FD in a "resort community" is not sustainable. Your volunteer base will continually shrink and training standards / expectations will continually expand.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to believe the statements made by councilors.Can "restructuring " be far off for the Fire Dept ? Sounds like "Corporate Re-alignment" will once again rear its ugly head.

Anonymous said...

Cameron and McMaster talk about public consultaion. Why was there no public consultation with regard to the restructuring they just did?
Now all of a sudden they want to know what the public thinks??

Anonymous said...

Am I reading this right?

They have money in contingency funds, decide to use $50 000 - but then decide to take the ENTIRE $50 000 from a tax increase to property owners?

Further, is it just me, or did the article come across as kind of, to put it bluntly, bitchy?

Anonymous said...

I personaly, am appalled that the so called council of today would even discuss the value of our fire department. The TFD does so much more than fire fighting. What happens the next time your family member or neighbour or visiting guest gets involved in a serious motor vehicle accedent and needs to be extricated from their vehichle so their life can be saved with no avalable fire department to do it? Do we call for support from Ukee? Do we call for support from Port Alberni? Or do do we just call in the coroner? What would happen if there was ever a house fire in Ocean Village? Dominoes! The entire subdivision would would be gone! Council has clearly undervalued the the value of our highly valued and loved VOLUNTEER fire department. Council does have a proven record for casting aside those in our community that actually care, such as the past Parks and Rec. Dept. and it's director. Supporting and expanding the fire department in an expanding town ("Resort Municipalitly") is clearly an essential service. Just can't believe council would even waste time in discussing this when there are so many bigger fish to fry. I, like so many others had high hopes for this current council but sadly I have no hopes any more. Next election can't come sooner. I'm sure none of existing council would have a chance!

Anonymous said...

5:19PM, Get used to it, Tofino is a bitchy town. Probably for a good reason.

Anonymous said...

I feel for our new Mayor who has to deal with these fools.

Anonymous said...

Duncan, your logic borders on the cockamamy.

Anonymous said...

"If it's $70 a year I'd say fine; don't need a fire department," he said. "Where I live, if there's a fire on the roof, the fire department is not going to do anything apart from control that fire ... So I could argue why should I pay for a fire department."
This guy is a riot !! HaHa !

Anonymous said...

Picture this: A small fire breaks out in the middle if the night on the roof of Duncan's B&B. He, his family, pets, and guests are all able to evacuate the house in time and make it to safety.

The small fire,) beyond the reach of what the garden hose can spray),turns into a raging inferno and burns the house completely to the ground. With everyone standing around in their PJ's watching the flames, Duncan in his logic announces, "No worries folks, we're insured!"

I am reminded of that TV commercial several years back for the insurance industry, with the little logo of the insurance agent wrapping his body around the client. The slogan, "your insurance agent cares." Is this what you're placing your sole reliance on sir? Insurance? Do you actually believe that everything in life can be monetized?

As for your sense of humour, you're on fire!

Where are you coming from?

Seventy dollars???? huh???

Second largest resort community on the west coast without a fire department??? The mere suggestion of doing without as was recently discussed by council reeks of a Monty Python skit. Hell, even the towns of the wild west had bucket brigades.

BTW, what would happen if the RCMP detachment or Tofino General Hospital caught on fire ?

Anonymous said...

Yah, let's get rid of the fire department. While we're at it let's get rid of the RCMP, the hospital, the school..... Imagine how much we could trim off our taxes! Actually, let's just get rid of this stupid council and we'll all be fine!

Anonymous said...

I know for a fact that in my time in Tofino one life has been saved, and I'm sure there are others I don't know about. Not to mention many treasured possessions saved, vehicle extrication, traffic management during accidents, peace of mind, and on... As a parent, I want these guys (and girls!) on my side. I am willing to pay $70 a year just for that one life that I know was saved, the rest is gravy. I can't believe our council is undervaluing (again) such a valuable asset...