Paradise Fire has more volunteers than story cited
Last week’s front page article headlined “Paradise Fire Volunteers Quit” requires some factual corrections. I will comment on the four most important items.
Top of the list: the number of firefighters who quit is one, not a mass exodus from 16 to nine people that someone incorrectly told you. No records show 16 active firefighters since the PVFD was officially formed on Jan.1, 2009.
My search of the former chief’s reports exceeded one year. These show a decrease of one firefighter. (I am providing copies of these public records to you). Johnson’s April 9, 2009 report, one year before his employment termination, shows 11 firefighters. His Nov. 10, 2009 report shows 10. (November was when the three new board members were elected). His Jan. 13, 2010 report, when we were sworn into office, shows 11. His last report (April 13, 2010) shows 10. Obviously, the number fluctuates between 10 and 11. At the June 9, 2010, meeting, one firefighter who resides in Post Falls resigned, dropping the number to nine.
The second point complains about the district’s ability to fight fires. Acting Chief Ladely’s comment about occasionally needing help from other fire departments is true. However, this fact has been true for many years, so getting assistance from nearby departments is not new.
Furthermore, it is important that the citizens of the PVFD know that we have mutual aid agreements with both the city and the South Boundary Fire District, the two adjoining fire suppression organizations. This ensures coverage for any fire emergencies that PVFD cannot handle.
Obviously, we would like more volunteers for firefighting. We are happy that an experienced firefighter volunteered only two weeks ago. But the chief is primarily responsible for recruiting volunteers. We are in the midst of hiring a new chief, who will doubtlessly work on this issue.
The third complaint concerned the salary reduction decision we made at the 1-13-10 meeting. The board’s action merely implemented what the voters wanted. The current board was elected by a 90 percent mandate, based on two major promises: change the chief’s position to a part time basis, and reduce the operating budget back to the original $112,000 figure widely used one year earlier inducing voters to approve forming a new tax district. The board has kept both promises.
The reduced job requirements directly correlate to a reduced salary. That Jan. 13, 2010, decision has nothing to do with the April 16, 2010, decision to terminate the chief’s employment.
The fourth point complained about a lack of publicizing meetings. Meeting dates and times are posted at the Main Station for the remaining months of 2010. We also attempted to get them in the Herald calendar. Plus we actively post them on our website: Tap Paradise Valley Fire District into Google, then choose Boundary County (not AZ) for announcements, agendas and minutes of meetings.
ORRIN EVERHART,
PVFD chairman