To the Editor:
It’s appalling that The Villages doesn’t want to increase the pay of its firefighters to at least what surrounding area fire service departments make. Take a look at what the costs are to train and outfit. Then after that, they’re looking for a better wage package. If that financial package was in line with other departments, then there would be a long waiting list to get hired at The Villages.
I started as a NYC paramedic in the 1980s. After four years, I realized that I couldn’t support a family on the low pay. It’s a national problem of low pay and retention for the fire service. When I worked for EMS, I was only making $18,000 a year. Now fast forward to 2017, the average is only $40,000 or less. Not much difference. Unfortunately, I loved being a medic and had to make the choice for a career change for the only reason: better pay and benefits.
I was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years. I went through the same rigorous training as paid firefighters. Even in the volunteer service, it was strict requirement of a minimum of three firefighters before we could respond. And that was because of the standards for the fire service. Most of the people writing don’t understand or want to realize what it takes to provide a correct response to an incident when you call 911. If only two are on a truck responding to a structure fire, you need the driver pump operator to hook to a fire hydrant. That usually takes two men to complete. Now you still only have one firefighter pulling hose line to the front door. That usually takes two firefighters to ensure there are no kinks in the hose line. Still short on firefighters. Maybe now a second or third engine arrives. Only five or six members. What about the interior attack, two in, two out according to standards? What about search crew; it’s not the same as the hose members. What about a second line to protect other structures? And what about the required four members of FAST!?
That crew remains ready outside to respond to a may-day call from a down firefighter. Before you know it, all this needs 20 firefighters. So where are they coming from when you start out short. They need to be paid a decent wage. They need to be recognized for what they do. Months and then years of continuous training to keep up with all the new methods of firefighting and paramedic training. Remember when you call 911, you want that fast response and enough help to assist in whatever the incident is. You can’t wait for additional help when they should have been there in the first place.
Neil Schulman
Village of Amelia