Academy of Local Politics

Volunteerism is what is going to allow Tipton to pull off hosting RAGBRAI this Friday. Let's face it, 20,000 people descending on a community of 3200? The Churchs and  Service Clubs are going to have to be out in full force.

Volunteerism is in critical condition today. Not enough of it. The most critical shortage of volunteers comes in the time honored tradition of firefighting.

Curt Varone, director of public fire protection at the National Fire Protection Association, said volunteer fire departments are having a hard time finding members just as charitable community organizations are.

“There is a lack in volunteerism in general and that’s not just in the fire service but in society in general,” he said.

Compounding the trouble for volunteer fire departments are state training requirements for firefighters. Mr. Varone said volunteer firefighters have to be as well-trained as full-time firefighters.

He said at minimum around the country, about 100 hours of training is required just to join a department. And it can take up to 300 hours of training before a firefighter is certified to make an interior fire attack on a building.

“It’s a fairly significant training requirement and people just don’t have the time they used to,” he said.

In Tipton, the voters recently turned down building a new fire station for the second time. They not only have to have a referendum to build a new fire station, the referendum needs to pass with 60% of the vote. This last vote passed with only 56% of the voters approving.

Not enough room for the equipment...Not enough room for training...Not enough votes to solve the problems.

People don't just not volunteer anymore...they don't even want to support those that do.

No wonder we have a problem filling the volunteer positions.

Let's face it... Every City Council meeting, every County Board meeting, every local meeting of almost any kind, local officials are making decisions on issues and problems on which they are clueless.

Perfect example... Firefighting. How many local officials really know what happens when the bell rings in the station. (Bell, Siren, Buzzer. whatever.) Yet, those who are clueless how to fight a fire...decide what equipment will be purchased to fight those fires. That's called government.

That is why I applaud the fire departments of Sharon and Greenvile, PA.

Two local fire departments are inviting their towns’ elected and appointed officials to learn firsthand what it’s like to fight a fire.

Dale Hightree of the Greenville Fire Department...president of IAFF Local 1976, Greenville, on Thursday invited borough council members to participate. The first day of the program includes an introduction to fire scenarios and a gear-fittting test at the Greenville fire station.

On the second day, participants will have the chance to suit up in proper protective gear and be taken into a burning building under controlled supervision of the firefighters, Hightree said.

“Participants will learn exactly how challenging it is to keep our firefighters and communities safe,” he said.

Those who can’t participate because of health conditions are welcome to watch their peers learn how to battle a fire and respond to problems that could affect a structure during a blaze.

Firefighters will also demonstrate the many aspects of fire and emergency medical service operations to show what they face on a day-to-day basis, Hightree said.

The only problem I find with this idea is..You can offer training to local officials but you can't make them learn.

I preach...I preach...I preach... that citizens need to get more involved in their local governments. Normally my preaching falls on deaf ears, but I preach nevertheless. It was interesting for me to find this blog talking about the Three Laws of Local Government. Good Reading! Good Luck!

One of the really great things about this job is the stories I hear. Many of which I can't repeat. Some of which I need to disguise to protect the guilty. The following falls into the latter category. A new Fire Department ladder truck is on order in a neighboring city. While there have been experimentations with colors of fire trucks, this new fire truck is going to be red. Fire Engine Red. But, they no longer have just Fire Engine Red available. There is a variety of "reds" available. So, the Fire Chief has one of his crews take one of the other trucks out of the garage and the entire crew is holding up paint samples next to that truck trying to determine which "red" matches the best.  Oh, I wish I had seen that!

Imagine...Four men with paint samples with the power to actually choose. Even if they were all red. We don't get to do that at home.

Mayor Al

Back from visiting the Grandkids.

Isn't is amazing, how many emails can accumulate,
in less than 48 hours?

Back on February 12 we had a fire,
with one of the firefighters getting injured.
With already, two other out of action.
Overtime didn't look good.
I'm pleased to report that everyone is back.
Overtime budget not severely strained.
Thank you for all expressed concern,
not just for the money, but for everyone involved.
-------------------------------
I read this...

"The ditch weed whose name dare not be spoken can now be talked about openly in polite society.
Lawmakers in Santa Fe have acknowledged and declared that hemp is not marijuana."

The list of states is growing, that are out to finally change this law.
The time has come.
For those of you who don't know what you can do to help further the cause,

Start Here.

Mayor Al

Last night at 2:04 I heard the fire trucks go out.
(I live close enough to the station to hear them every time they go out.)

The house could not be saved, but the family got out.
Unfortunately, one of our Fire Fighters was injured.

Add that injury to the 2 Fire Fighters already laid up, and we have a problem.
It's only February and the overtime budget will be depleted by May, at this rate.

By the way, jokes about "at least they saved the basement" are not appreciated.

Mayor Al