SNOW HILL – County officials approved changes expected to ease some of the challenges facing volunteer fire companies this week.
The Worcester County Commissioners voted to amend the standards for chartered volunteer fire companies Tuesday. One of the key changes made will allow companies to keep fire engines more than 30 years old as long as they pass inspection.
“This resolution’s been around since 1977,” said Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon. “This will be the first time it’s ever been proposed to be changed.”
The changes made came as a result of a meeting held in November between the commissioners and representatives from the local volunteer fire companies. McMahon said the fire chiefs had suggested a dozen changes to the county’s standards. While 11 of them were minor, essentially updating the pieces of equipment carried by firefighters, the primary change requested related to extending the life of qualifying fire engines. Previously, the standards required companies to have at least one pumper (fire engine) that was less than 20 years old and no qualifying pumper more than 30 years old. McMahon said that forced companies to replace pumpers when they hit the 30-year mark, regardless of their condition.
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This makes good sense since it saves on money that could be used in other areas dealing with the Fire Companies. This should not be just for Volunteer fire companies but also include all fire companies. This would save SFD hundreds of thousands of dollars and would not permit them from having the new top of the line play toys they never use.
ReplyDelete11:27, I think you misread or misunderstood some things in this article. This change in WORCESTER County means only that you do not have to get rid of, or replace, a vehicle that is 30 years old. You still must meet the requirements for all other apparatus. This does not affect the "front line equipment" and, as said in this article, affects only the aging but in good condition equipment. This would NOT save "SFD" any money since Salisbury is in Wicomico County, NOT Worcester County. And your ending comment, "would not permit them from having the new top of the line play toys they never use" is just 100% false or plain ignorance. This change ONLY affects the 30 year or older equipment. AND, for your info, I'm NOT in a fire company, anywhere.....but I obviously read and comprehend much better than you.
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