City should expand fire department staffing
When the city asked its fire department to come up with a way to pay for additional firefighters, the fire department did so. Third-party billing of squad runs was enacted and has proven lucrative for the city, so much so that the city has used the money for general operations - not for hiring additional firefighters as was intended.
Now the city is telling the fire department they must once again come up with a plan to pay for additional firefighters. Enough is enough. The city needs additional revenue, but it also needs additional firefighters. The fire department held up its end of the deal. The city still hasn't.
Third-party billing has generated up to $400,000 a year, certainly enough to cover the salaries and benefits of additional firefighters. Knowing the city has financial constraints, fire officials have proposed a grant program that would help cover the cost of new firefighters for two years, but then the city would have to cover the cost from there. This week Mayor Michael Mullen said the city can't pursue the grant because officials don't know how the city would pay for the firefighters after the grant ran out.
How about third-party billing?
The city has definite work to do to trim costs and build revenue. It needs to stop using third-party billing as a crutch. If a grant is available, go for it and use the two years it buys you to come up with a plan for securing additional revenue.
Mullen made a reference that the fire department isn't the only department that would like additional personnel. That may be so, but it should be a department that's made a priority. Public safety outweighs curb cuts and mowing grass.
The fire department is frustrated and we see why. We urge Mullen and City Council to bring this issue off the back burner and give it the attention it deserves. Third-party billing can pay for additional firefighters. Let it. Get to work fixing the city's financial problems, but don't do it on the backs of your firefighters.
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WhatsTheDiscussionAbout
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11-23-09 9:04 AM
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the question of the matter is.. How many firefighters do we currently have on staff? 5-10 to me those numbers would indicate low numbers.. if we have 15 or more then id say we are waisting our time tring to get more firefighters... its just another way for the city to throw money away.. Mayor Mullens has plans already for the money they get.. So any ideas that do come up and sound logic wont be taken into consideration because we dont count for anything that they want to do.. go figure another town that does what they what to do..
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Contrarian
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11-21-09 8:03 AM
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It's wonderful to have the revenue from Third Party billing to cover the costs of those runs. But the city doesn't lack for firefighters, and if it needs more, bring on some volunteers who can train to replace those who retire down the road. Do more with less, Marietta. Don't go broke like every other town!
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factsplease
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11-20-09 10:57 AM
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Why doesn't the city explore supplementing the full time Firefighters with volunteers. Most fire runs only require a few people to respond. The full time personnel can respond immediately and have the volunteers called if needed. Many cities much larger than Marietta are using this combination and their insurance rating is as good or better than Marietta. This will save money and accomplish the goal of additional staffing. Check it out.
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