Westfield Town Administrator James Gildea has allowed the reduction of staffing levels on shifts at the Westfield Fire Department. This reduction potentially endangers the safety of Westfield residents and Westfield firemen in the event of a structure fire. How long before the reduction in manpower manifests itself in the form of lost property and precious lives?
This is not good. There is nothing more important than the safety of our residents. How many firefighters are there currently per shift?
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ReplyDeleteNot correct. The old minimum staffing was 7. However that was changed in June '10 to 6. Recognized standards dictate that there should be 4 firefighters per fire truck. They are grossly understaffed.
ReplyDeleteLets be really honest The Westfield Fire Department is the biggest waste of tax dollars in the history of spending. Why is it many of our Sister Municipalities get by with volunteer Fire Departments. I believe there actual calls are less than 2 percent to actual structure fires, and of that 2 percent of structure fires there is a better than even money chance that they will make things worse. The Westfield Fire Department has such a terrible reputation within the county that no other Departments ever call them out on mutual aid calls. The 24 hour on 72 hour off shift is wonderful to maintain second employment as all the members of the fire department do, its even nicer that of the 24 hours on they get lots of nappy time in their warm cozy beds we pay for,,,,,,,pityful
ReplyDeleteVery intelligent. Let's compare Westfield, to Garwood, Mountainside, Clark. All significantly smaller with volunteers. Volunteerism is unsustainable in any industry. Especially emergency services.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to talk about a waste oftax payers money let's talk about the school superintendent. The board of education gives her a raise and her contract isn't even up. The other unions in town how to take 0 percent increases Negotiate the contract or at least a year and fight for a retroactive pay raise. Also consider this would you want to take a chance and hope somebody shows up as a volunteer fireman.
ReplyDeleteHey Andy S :the post says SISTER CITIES not neighboring towns, Westfield is often compared to Scotch Plains, a VOLUNTEER Fire Department. By your skirting the issue and going after the messenger I guess this is Mayor Andy S, so Its ok to sleep on duty and be called the worst PAID Fire Department in the State.Thanks Andy for demonstrating YOUR INTELLIGENCE. By the way VOLUNTEERISM is and has been sustainable in the EMS industry in numerous communities for years.like I said pityful and thanks for demonstrating that for me......
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