TAX RELIEF IDEAS, SFD and Bart's reasoning

What is missing in your thinking is the fact that there is a better, more efficient and streamlined approach that not only makes sense but must be seriously considered for any tax relief in our town and state to begin. The current FD system in Springfield is unsustainable; as are most paid departments of similar size in our state. The documented and factual numbers regarding call volume (approximately 1200 total calls per year) and actual structure fires annually (approximately 3-4) with 3-4 calls on average daily in our town are very low (thanks to buildings being up to code). However, this fact begs the question, can we accomplish safe fire coverage while achieving a lower tax burden? The answer is yes...Part time or per diem FF’s can be hired in a similar fashion as EMS workers have been for years. A straight hourly rate w/o benefits, overtime or pension. If large EMS systems can staff highly specialized Paramedics, RNs (with years of education and experience) and EMT’s, fire departments can do the same. The fact that SFD is staffed by “career” members and a neighboring town like Kenilworth, staffs with Volunteers and is able to accomplish safe fire protection proves the point that part-time can work.  The level of training is the same for both aforementioned towns. In fact, Kenilworth, Clark, North Plainfield to name a few, routinely respond for mutual aid to the same towns our paid SFD may. There is no difference, and NJ state regulations mandate this level of training, paid or volunteer.  Springfield FF’s all have gone through the same FF I and II that any other small town (excluding Newark, Jersey City and large departments of that size).  And to continue to speak as if our current fire model is acceptable is out of touch with reality. The good Ole “tax to make up for inefficiency” is why we are paying painfully high taxes.  Bart, saying for the comfort of knowing we have a paid crew on duty 24/7 costs only $1.00 dollar a day is incorrect and absurd. That is political double speak. My numbers are correct for daily responses, yearly confirmed structure fire count and the salary, benefit and overtime costs of approximately $2.5 million per year (actually conservative). And any citizen can verify if they so choose. I do not need to give my name nor anymore data as my numbers are accurate within any reasonable average. Bart, you are not an emergency services member. As such, have no idea how FIRE or EMS functions. Your argument that we should pay the amount we do for their workload is antiquated and unrealistic. Its is like saying we need armored police cars in Springfield, it would be nice to have however is overkill and not necessary. The waste in stupid spending is out of control.  There is no reason why our Fire Chief should be making $140K.  Driving an unmarked Tahoe that looks like a undercover police vehicle without any FD markings. I have seen him dropping his child off at school in this vehicle. Yes, there is the possibility of a fire call, i know i know (Bart, et al “the sky is (burning) falling” patch contributors) however should our taxpayers be paying for this type of vehicle use? What if there is a fire, would he bring his child with him and attempt to command a fire? And why is the vehicle unmarked? Few in any towns in our state have unmarked vehicles for safety and identification purposes (research this like anything posted here can be verified as accurate or it wouldn't be posted. As a FF I want my leaders vehicle easily identified during an emergency. This vehicle is another example of living off the fat of the land (residents), only costs cents on the dollar per day blah blah blah as this has added up to the tax mess we are in today. A gas guzzling, overboard, cushy spending for a quiet, mostly fire free town where a crown vic would suffice for half the cost. Is this really justified? Bart thinks so...and so the train rolls on...we all pinch dollars to pay our bills while our Chief is driving a take home vehicle, gas included in case of the “BIG ONE.”  We are not NYC, give me a break please!