Herald Mail Letter to the Editor November 9 2014 Thanks to commissioners who suspended fire company To the editor: In 2012, Washington County was dealing with a very underperforming fire station in Fairplay. As a result, the county had to step in and make a decision that resulted in Fairplay Fire Department being suspended. Not only are they closed to this day, they also are not recognized by the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association and its member companies. Statistics and data recently obtained from Washington County support the necessary actions taken against the fire department on July 31, 2012. I think it is important because it fully proves that the decision the current Board of County Commissioners rendered that day was the right one. The county average for failed calls in the most recent report shows the range from 1.2 percent to 2.5 percent, with the worst single company fail rate of 6.9 percent. This is nowhere near the unacceptable 26 percent failure-to-respond rate that Fairplay produced in 2012. Also consider that the fire department’s best year (2009) was 9 percent, a rate that was only that low because paid members and support, at the expense of the county, were placed in their station to assist them due to their rising failure rate and poor management. In well over a decade, Fairplay has never performed at our current county averages. The commissioners’ decision to step in and take action against the fire department has made an immediate impact on the citizens of Fairplay and Washington County with regard to fire and emergency service. The decision made by the four commissioners who supported the suspension could have ultimately saved the lives of those in our response area, and we are very grateful. The four surrounding companies (Funkstown, Sharpsburg, Williamsport and Boonsboro) covering the Fairplay area during the two-year suspension have provided the services we are not accustomed to but have quickly come to greatly appreciate and respect. We are very grateful to the volunteers from these four companies for providing us with outstanding coverage and protection. We are also very thankful for the support our community has received from the other companies and volunteers in our county that have stood beside us during this ordeal. There currently is a well-organized group of Fairplay citizens that has been working tirelessly for almost 18 months to restore fire and emergency services to the community while the existing members and leadership of Company 12 spectate from the sidelines and demonstrate their position that self is more important than service. To Commissioners Barr, Callaham, Cline and McKinley, who stood up and did the right thing, we will forever be grateful and will always be appreciative of you making a tough decision that ultimately provided us with the best fire and emergency service our community has experienced in well over a decade. Our community looks forward to working with the recently elected Commissioners to restore fire and emergency service to the wonderful community of Fairplay. We have a great group of volunteers and neighbors who are eager to serve their community just as many other dedicated and experienced volunteers do in our county. Tim Almany, Fairplay heraldmailmedia/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor---nov/article_6be803bf-4817-5e61-817a-55f630f1beab.html
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 12:18:03 +0000
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