Editor,
I have read with great interest several letters which have been printed in the local newspapers in regards to the proposed Carbon County Fire Protection District. I feel there are several inaccuracies with the statements made and would like to clarify the issues.
1) The OSHA standards absolutely apply to fire departments. There is no governmental courtesy. Fire departments have to comply with personal protective equipment and respiratory protection standards the same as industry. This includes fit testing for respirators, medical evaluations for firefighters, and annual testing of the breathing apparatus. It has been said that Carbon County will lose firefighters if the District is formed. This is attributed to the fact the current volunteers will not be able to pass the medical requirements. This is not up for discussion. It is simply the law.
2) Currently structural firefighter certification is voluntary. Prudence dictates the fire service of Carbon County should strive to attain certified firefighters. This produces more efficient and safer firefighters.
3) Fire incident reporting is state statute. It is the law fire departments are required to report incidents to the Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Carbon County Rawlins Division reported 193 calls in 2012 and 186 calls in 2013. Four of the fire departments in Carbon County did not report in 2012. I have asked the question of why some departments are not reporting? The answer is simple. Some of the volunteers do not have enough time in the day to be compliant with all of the mandates.
4) The fire district was put on the ballet by the Carbon County Commissioners at the request of the Fire Chiefs and firefighters of Carbon County. Granted not all of the Chiefs and firefighters support the fire district, however the majority of the officers of our fire departments support it. They understand that to be compliant with standards, well equipped, and well trained fire departments cost money. The money that Carbon County does not have.
5) The Fire District, if it is passed does not have any authority over the municipal departments. It only affects the Carbon County Fire Departments. Most of the municipal departments have county owned fire apparatus in them. This equipment is used to respond out in the county and may be used for emergencies in the municipality. The firefighters are generally the same firefighters that manage emergencies in the county as well as the municipalities.
6) If this proposal passes. Municipal departments could join the district by means of a petition consisting of 25% of the voters owning 25% of the assessed valuation of property within the proposed district.
7) The Carbon County Steering Committee is comprised of predominately Fire Chiefs and Assistant Fire Chiefs. This is a clear message from the firefighters they support the Fire District concept and are in need of funding to better their departments an all aspects.
8) The average age of the Fire Apparatus in Carbon County is 21.5 years old.
The Carbon County Commissioners have worked diligently to support the emergency services in our area. The simple fact is there is not enough funding to adequately support our fire service and comply with the many laws fire departments are required to adhere. The Carbon County Fire Department protects 7964 square miles with 149 firefighters. Carbon County operates 55 pieces of fire and rescue apparatus. Funding is crucial to maintain the level of service our firefighters provide. More funding will provide better training opportunities, better compliance with regulations, and better equipment to keep firefighters safe. Please vote yes for the Carbon County Fire Protection District.
Respectfully,
John Rutherford
Carbon County Fire
Protection District
Steering Committee
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