SAFETY LEVY TO BE PLACED ON NOVEMBER BALLOT City Council last night (6/17/2013) approved a resolution to place a 2.74 mil seven (7) year levy on the November ballot. This levy is intended for capital expenses, equipment and maintenance along with records management systems and funding for a dispatch center (equipment only) for the Painesville Safety forces. This levy is need in order to insure that the police and fire departments have the tools necessary to continue to provide the services our residents expect. The fire department will use its share (1.47 mil of the 2.74) to purchase apparatus, equipment, computers, PPE (personal protective equipment i.e. turnout gear), a records management system, and maintenance costs. A fire engine today can cost over $400,000 and our aerial will cost approximately $1,000,000.00 when it is time to replace it. We do not have a dedicated revenue stream sufficient to cover these costs. Our "Jaws of Life" were here when I began my career with this department in 1980, 33 years ago. They are well over due for replacement. We have for the past number of years been buying used vehicles just to be able to afford what we need to do our jobs. While these vehicles have worked there useful life is decreased and require replacement more often. We will have to replace our SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus - the air we carry to survive in the smoke and fire) in or about 2020 at an estimated cost of $200,000. Without a dedicated healthy revenue stream we will not have the money necessary. We have also joined a COG (Council of Governments) for the purpose of saving money. The members of this COG (the 8 east end fire departments and their respective communities) will share in the costs of large purchases that every one needs but not everyone needs their own such as aerial (ladder truck), air truck, command and communication vehicle, technical rescue, boats, etc. Here again we need money to participate and participation will save us money in the long run. This levy is a 7 year levy which will allow, if passed, the residents the opportunity to decide if it should be continued beyond the 7 years based on service and how we lived up to our promises.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:44:45 +0000
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