Merging fire departments would be too costly
Times Colonist Letters
February 5, 2015
Re: “Nail down costs in merger study,” editorial, Feb. 1.
The editorial made some interesting points; however, in the discussion on amalgamating fire departments, it did not mention that only three of the region’s departments are staffed by professional firefighters while the remainder are staffed by volunteers.
The editorial is right to suggest that costs of an amalgamated fire department will go up — dramatically in 10 municipalities. Even if only fire services become one and not the region as a whole, it is unsustainable for those areas with volunteer fire departments, because if we needed and could afford professional firefighters, we would already have them.
Stephen Sawyer
Metchosin
Times Colonist Letters
February 5, 2015
Re: “Nail down costs in merger study,” editorial, Feb. 1.
The editorial made some interesting points; however, in the discussion on amalgamating fire departments, it did not mention that only three of the region’s departments are staffed by professional firefighters while the remainder are staffed by volunteers.
The editorial is right to suggest that costs of an amalgamated fire department will go up — dramatically in 10 municipalities. Even if only fire services become one and not the region as a whole, it is unsustainable for those areas with volunteer fire departments, because if we needed and could afford professional firefighters, we would already have them.
Stephen Sawyer
Metchosin