"FYI Joe,
the fire districts and mutual aid agreements throughout the County (more particularly those involving Station 16) did not change AT ALL when they relocated Station 16. Now tell me this, how can you move a Station and keep the same logistics? This tells me (and others) one of two things...either the districts were inaccurately delineated before the move and the new location improved logistics (Doubtful) OR the move hindered logistics and they just didn't care to re-evaluate them...
They moved the station over 3/4 of a mile away, over one/two water bodies (north and/or south prong depending on which way you run it) and across a highway from its original location. Wouldn't you think that something would change? ABSOLUTELY!! They are not concerned about effectively and efficiently serving this City/County, they are concerned about "Looking Good" and having "New Toys"..
Ask Chief See if they would consider re-evaluating their district to better suit and serve the people. Or even better (I won't just single out See here), ask ANY fire chief from ANY department if they would be willing to re-evaluate their territories... Every single one of them would say 'NO' without hesitation. Why you ask? They are too proud and are by no means willing to give up territory-even if it better serves the citizens!
If you're going to spend our money at least improve the service! Chew on that for a while-spit it out or swallow."
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
20 comments:
Not really a lot to chew on here. First, the primary stated reason for the new Station 16 location was its sufficient available acreage for a building large enough to house the equipment and personnel of the SFD that were cramped into inadequate-sized facilities in multiple locations. Its presence on the west side of the fire district was listed as an additional positive attribute. These factors alone improve their ability in "effectively and efficiently serving the City/County", and the "Looking Good" and "New Toys" comments are lame.
Regarding the reassessment of the "logistics", likely referring to which station is dispatched for which location an emergency is reported, that is the role of the Wicomico County Fire Chief's Association, of which the SFD (See) is just one of 14 members. The process of re-evaluating these territories should be ongoing, not only with a change in station location, but whenever new developments or roadways are built in bordering areas. If you have a better idea of which department should respond where, I suggest you contact that organization, or your county government representative.
The negative rhetoric included in some of these fire department posts dismisses the decisionmaking abilities of a large number of persons, most of them serving without pay, who, whether you agree with their decisions or not, are generally working together to improve the services provided by their organizations. That is certainly your right, but many of these assessments are admittedly biased, frequently inaccurate, and rarely justified.
There, I spit it out.
It's funny you should state that, but please trust me on this, I know alot more that you think I do and I am not the average citizen complaining here-I am backed with cold, hard facts that in absolutely no way can be disputed. Facts are facts and the fact is that the Chief's Association does not update territory boundaries even though you say "The process of re-evaluating these territories should be ongoing, not only with a change in station location, but whenever new developments or roadways are built in bordering areas" as you stated. They are not on going and have not been updated recently.
My assessments are NOT biased, they are very accurate, and they are extremely justified.
11;27 Where the heck have you been? That is the most professional reply I have seen after all the bashing the SFD takes on this blog. Great job, keep it up!
The fact that the new station located in the ghetto is hindering service to the homeowning, tax paying citizens of the Camden area. Just last week there was a resported structure fire in station 16's first due on Frederick Avenue. Station 16, 1 and 3(Fruitland) was dispatched. Fruitland is an all volunteer fire company and they smoked both responding paid fire units to the call. Can someone explain that one to the tax paying citizens? Good work Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company.
Approximate Distances to Frederick Avenue-
Station 3 - 1.9 miles & 3 turns
Station 2 - 2.4 miles & 3 turns
Station 16 - 2.2 miles & 4 turns
Now, just because a station is closer doesn't mean that it should be the first responder. In this case Fruitland was closest and responded fastest, but this is not always the case. Traffic volume, roadway capacity, reasonable response speed and even time of day need to be considered. I would have assumed that station 2 would have been the best responder based on roadway levels of service, but this is why the study needs to be done!!!
It is only common sense that when a citizen calls for assistance the nearest company that provides the required service respond. The idea of fire territories being run like small dukedoms is a silly and foolish concept based on very old thinking. The County FD’S have been talking about box alarms for several years, if allowed to function properly box alarms will break down the old way of how all the separate organizations manage responses. But the truth of the matter is that Salisbury can divide its territories up any way it see fit. So to me the question is why don’t they set it up to provide the highest level of service possible? Which to me means sending the company that is closet to the people needing help to the scene first. If they are reasons for not doing that then management needs to correct those reasons hindering that process.
All I can say people is K I S S. (Keep It Simple Stupid)
The redistricting should have been done a year ago when the new station was opened. But like everything else within SFD, lack of planning, lack of leadership, and lack of concern for the people they serve. The administration is too busy spending the taxpayers and volunteers money to worry about EMS and Fire service to the citizens. Are you kidding. We will get there when we get there! Just wait until they start using the Tower. It won't fit on 40% of the streets in the city. Good decision to spend that 1 million huh Chiefy. But it looks good. Nice parade piece, as long as it is a double wide street.
I understand last nights council meeting got a lil interesting too. I understand it was questioned if Gordo was involved in the LLC that bought the land for little or nothing, and sold it to the City for all that money, to build Sta 16. Anyway of finding out if Gordo was one of the investors that benefited from the sale of that land to the City>????
Fruitland did beat the other crews in on that "fire" at Frederick. However, state the WHOLE story, as many of you always fail to do...Fruitland officers told SFD officers that they had been at their station when the call came in. That is FAR from the norm and without that fact, they would not have beaten the SFD crews to scene. in either case, it doesnt matter who got there first, as long as someone got there. Who cares who it was. On an everyday basis, Fruitland wont beat the paid crews due to the simple fact that they are at work and the paid crews are on duty. FACT. Fruitland is very professional and worked well w/ the SFD crews from what I heard. It's a good relationship held from years of working together and mutual respect.
The SFD does not have the ability to change fire districts. That is a Chiefs Assoc. thing. Box alarms (IMO) have been held up to some degree because of old style thinking. Get over it boys and girls...do what's right.
What SFD can do, is change its own response districts to more accurately reflect the new stations location.
The "40%" street comment may or may not be true...show us where you get your info and prove your number. Otherwise, it's just some haphazard number you've pulled out of your butt.
As for the "we get there when we get there" comment...BS!! When have you EVER seen any firemen that didnt bust their butts to "get there" for any fire?? Ignorant comment by an ignorant person. Rediculous...In fact...most are being told to "slow down" as getting there is much more important than causing an accident on the way and not making it at all. Learn about what your talking about before you talk about it or prove to everyone how ignorant you really "be"...
i will say that they have located most of the special equipment at that station for what reason i dont know.the rescue truck was originally located at station 2 but was removed and placed at station 16.now most rescues needing the rescue truck are usually in station 2s first due or fruitland. now when these calls go out the duty crew is usually already out and around so either they have to wait for station 16 volunteers or the duty crew to respond to station 16 get the rescue and drive it all the way back across town! so if youre trapped in a car on the bypass and you need specialized equipment to get out you might be waiting for a while.
Ok!! 1st box alarms have been and will be held up by SFD even though they dont wish for you to think that. When the talk frist came out about box alarms see and gordo drug their feet!!!!! when all the other stations had thier's done at the chief's meetings and centeral asked for them! See said we just cant get it done... Ok why here's why because See does not want the county council to know how many calls he has been chargeing them for that really were in the city and not the county. Box alarms would cure that issue and they no it folks. Second see is not a memeber of the chiefs assoc. because he is paid the 1st assist. chief at each vol.1,2,16 stations has the say for thier station. See is just there with no vote. Few years ago the 1st Assist Chief at each station did what they thought best for their area. UNTIL SEE was able
to get every single one of them out who had the balls to stand up to him and his dum ideas and wrong doing, and waste of money, Now they have been replaced with yes chiefy what ever you want just let me keep my white hat please.!!.Second of all glad fruitland was there first but there was many of nights that the svfd guys have got to the calls before paid staff hmmmmmmm hopper lid you fine depty you!!!!! remeber when station 2 beat you too a fire on isabella street ? and we all were home a sleep you were so mad you could not stand it and cussed for weeks about it.but any way just had to throw that out there.Ok why was new fire house put there hmmmm not because it needed to be bigger but to gain more calls so they could expaned to the west side more duh!!! look out station 5 !!! that bypass chief See gave you to help keep station 2 form being a county dept. well its comming home to us at 16 baby!! along with centenal villige and west nitsdale, Easy solution here people you let the county make station's 1,& 2 county depts as they are suppose to be just like hebron, pitsville, allen etc. 16 only runs calls in the city no more people to hire matter fact cut back on staff. THey will not be needed. saves tax payers money sell all but 2 engines & one 100 stick and give the rest away to neededy depts move 16 back in the old fire house were they should be, turn the new station into a rec. center for the west side or homeless shelter or something worth while all would be better other then 16 guys being mad because they got shaffted agian but truly thats what needs to happen.But to the guy who truly seems to know all about who should get there first please get all you COLD HARD facts strait before you get mud on your face.Sounds like to me you have been burned by sfd you miss a job promtion for white hat ? not had you chance to shine yet what man just tell us ok !!!! cheify see likes YES MEN ON HIS TEAM !! Dude you have to much time on your hands.
lets not forget how many time fruitland gets beet by sfd in their territory, and sfd puts their fire out for them. for the taxes being paid the county should have its own career fire service.
anon 6:52
Pretty obvious that you have no idea what your rambling on about. You are what makes SFD members look like idiots. As far as the duty crew, How many times does the duty crew respond when the volunteers fail? Not a career/vol. issue, just the truth. Get YOUR facts straight before jumping someone elses case.
Sounds like station one crying again.
Time to combine city and county, and make it all volunteer, since that's where the money comes from anyway.
Police same way, combine them, too, but pay them.
I live exactly 4.2 miles from Hebron and 3.2 miles from the new fire palace in Salisbury. My address is SALISBURY. When we called for an ambulance HEBRON showed up. We're thankful for Hebron being there when we need them and believe me they were there lickety split. This is not the first time we've needed emergency service, both times it was HEBRON that showed up. This year when Salisbury sends their request for donations out in the mail I'll be returning mine empty. Our donations will go to Hebron. They might not have the newest, shiniest equipment but it is well kept, their vollies are professional as well as polite and caring. Hebron should be sending out donation requests to all on the west side of Salisbury that they serve. I fully intend to tell Rick Pollitt and the county council as well that I don't want my tax dollars supporting a fire department that does not serve my area.
Anon 6:52
WTF was that horse crap??? Have you ever watched the movie "Billy Madison"? If not, you should...there are some lines in that movie that would DIRECTLY "appeal" to you...as you have made NO SENCE and obviously have NO idea WTF your talking about...DAMN!
You made no attempt at any reasonable, rational thought and nothing you rambled about made any sense at all. Youve butchered what many of us commonly call the English language and nothing you jabbered about remotely constituted a "thought". Get a dictionary and then hit "spell check/grammar check".
Never mind...you'd be all friggin year just working on that one post.
Like someone else said...probably just a Station One-a-be venting cause he cant do the job in the first place.
"May God have mercy on your soul" to quote the movie. You should rent it ASAP!
I don't know numbers or stats or anything "technical", just thinking from a common sense factor. Salisbury is a large area to cover. From the new station, they can reasonably cover the west side along 50 and also get down Nanticoke/Pemberton to the "rich white folk". Its not an ideal pathway for large trucks but they can also get through the lake st/jersey road area and have access to north business 13. They can get to 50 east easily and through town or also easily get to Camden/Riverside. Obviously, there will be areas of the city and surrounding areas where response times are slower but all in all, the strategic location of the station is not terrible.
Rob S
652 u sound like an idiot. Please do a spell check. Go back to Dorchester county.
1107, Many people in the county, outside of Salisbury Fire District have a "Salisbury" address. That from the post office not the fire department. When I was a volunteer we tried to eliminate the address's that were in the county out side the Salisbury fire district prior to doing the mailings.
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