Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

New leaders should split service

I am the retired fire chief of the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department. I have 40 years' experience as a career firefighter. I am a graduate of many fire leadership courses offered by the N.Y.S. Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy and the Delehanty Institute of New York City.

I am a strong supporter of the separation of the fire and police departments. The time for this to take place is long past due. The city hired a consultant a couple of years ago in investigate this proposal. The consulting firm recommended the separation of the Public Safety Department - a separate Fire and Police Department. For reasons unknown this report was ignored and shelved.

Subsequent to the recent fire at Barefoot Landing, ISO conducted a review of the fire service in this city. The results of this review were never made public. It would be interesting to see the results. Of particular interest would be the recommended staffing of the fire apparatus. At the present fire pumpers respond with two firefighters. ISO establishers the fire ratings that have an impact on the fire insurance premiums within the city.

The question arises: Would the cost of increased insurance premiums offset the cost of increasing the manpower in the Fire Department to comply with ISO recommendations?

The separation of the police and fire departments would result in the following:

1. Increase the training of both police and firefighters in their respective fields.

2. Reduce the turnover rate, which is above average.

3. Greatly increase the effectiveness of both the police and fire service

4. Improve the morale.

I hope the incoming city administration takes action on this matter.

The writer lives in Little River.