CollegeBuff
01-26-2004, 02:50 AM
JO C. GOODE
Courtesy of The Woonsocket Call
CUMBERLAND,RI-- Plans for a new $336,000 custom-built fire truck for the Cumberland Fire District are nearing completion, with the pumper and rescue apparatus expected to be delivered in May.
But the recent approval to add a few amenities to the new fire truck -- such as a $1,200 AM/FM radio and CD stereo system and an $1,800 refrigerator -- have some fire district officials questioning whether taxpayer money is being spent responsibly.
In June, fire district voters approved the purchase of the new truck that will be able to haul 750 gallons of water and store a host of fire rescue equipment, including the Jaws of Life. It’s the first new truck for the fire district in 20 years, with firefighters having to contend with an aging fleet that includes a 1983 pumper truck and a tanker, circa 1976.
The fire district’s truck committee, charged with designing the new pumper, awarded the bid to Pierce Mfg., of Foxboro,which came in with an bid below the voters’ funding cap.
After making some equipment changes in the design, the committee was informed by a sales representative that the fire district would get a $4,000 credit.
That’s when, in a 3-1 vote, the committee approved the additions, which were later upheld by the Cumberland Fire District Board of Commissioners in a Jan. 12 meeting, also in a 3-1 vote.
"I was against it when they were proposed," said Cumberland Fire District Commissioner Paul DiModica, who is chairman of the truck Committee, "When is the radio going to be listened to? Going to a fire during a parade? It was a needless expense. The radio is a distraction."
Cumberland Fire Chief Robert Garon, who also sits on the committee, said he voted against purchasing the stereo equipment, which includes an AM/FM radio, CD player, and speakers. He said there would most likely be a policy created requiring the system turned off when firefighters are responding to an emergency.
He agreed with DiModica that any savings on the new truck should either go back to the taxpayers or used to purchase equipment more beneficial to public safety.
The 2.2 cubic foot refrigerator was another waste of taxpayer money, DiModica said that would take up valuable compartment space in the fire truck. A portion of space was already diminished when the committee discovered the truck was 10 1/2 feet high, an unpractical height for firefighters trying to remove ladders located on top.
In the redesign, the ladders were moved down into the compartment space, taking one foot off the height.
"Members of the truck committee were adamant that we had plenty of compartment space and now we keep eating into it," DiModica said.
He said they were still waiting for the manufacturer notification of how much compartment space they were losing with the changes.
Initially approving the refrigerator to store water for the firefighters when they are on a call, Garon said he now regrets making the decision before getting the updated information from the manufacturer.
But two other committee members, Fire District Commissioner John Shea and firefighter Michael Lafond, said they were confident with their decisions and the committee’s approval of the additional items.
"The taxpayers did give us that amount of money to purchase equipment for the vehicle. We got a list of supplies we deemed necessary and it was approved," said Lafond, a 17-year veteran firefighter.
One advantage to the am/fm radio on board was that firefighters would have the ability to access updated weather reports, Lafond said.
He said he was very comfortable with the vehicle and the fire district was getting a lot of truck for the money.
Stating taxpayer interests were always his concern, Commissioner Shea said that "not in any way, shape or form was it going to hurt anything."
While some might feel a stereo system in a fire truck was a luxury, Shea said he saw it as a morale booster for the firefighters.
"And as far as the refrigerator for water for the firefighters, it is very practical as far as I’m concerned," Shea said.
In poll by The Call to the town three other fire departments -- the Cumberland Hill, North Cumberland, and Valley Falls fire districts -- no other fire trucks, including a 2003 ladder truck, are equipped with stereo equipment except for one brush truck and chief vehicles with am/fm radios.
None of the town’s fire trucks have refrigerators built into them, although fresh water is transported in either coolers or served at room temperature by all the fire districts.
Courtesy of The Woonsocket Call
CUMBERLAND,RI-- Plans for a new $336,000 custom-built fire truck for the Cumberland Fire District are nearing completion, with the pumper and rescue apparatus expected to be delivered in May.
But the recent approval to add a few amenities to the new fire truck -- such as a $1,200 AM/FM radio and CD stereo system and an $1,800 refrigerator -- have some fire district officials questioning whether taxpayer money is being spent responsibly.
In June, fire district voters approved the purchase of the new truck that will be able to haul 750 gallons of water and store a host of fire rescue equipment, including the Jaws of Life. It’s the first new truck for the fire district in 20 years, with firefighters having to contend with an aging fleet that includes a 1983 pumper truck and a tanker, circa 1976.
The fire district’s truck committee, charged with designing the new pumper, awarded the bid to Pierce Mfg., of Foxboro,which came in with an bid below the voters’ funding cap.
After making some equipment changes in the design, the committee was informed by a sales representative that the fire district would get a $4,000 credit.
That’s when, in a 3-1 vote, the committee approved the additions, which were later upheld by the Cumberland Fire District Board of Commissioners in a Jan. 12 meeting, also in a 3-1 vote.
"I was against it when they were proposed," said Cumberland Fire District Commissioner Paul DiModica, who is chairman of the truck Committee, "When is the radio going to be listened to? Going to a fire during a parade? It was a needless expense. The radio is a distraction."
Cumberland Fire Chief Robert Garon, who also sits on the committee, said he voted against purchasing the stereo equipment, which includes an AM/FM radio, CD player, and speakers. He said there would most likely be a policy created requiring the system turned off when firefighters are responding to an emergency.
He agreed with DiModica that any savings on the new truck should either go back to the taxpayers or used to purchase equipment more beneficial to public safety.
The 2.2 cubic foot refrigerator was another waste of taxpayer money, DiModica said that would take up valuable compartment space in the fire truck. A portion of space was already diminished when the committee discovered the truck was 10 1/2 feet high, an unpractical height for firefighters trying to remove ladders located on top.
In the redesign, the ladders were moved down into the compartment space, taking one foot off the height.
"Members of the truck committee were adamant that we had plenty of compartment space and now we keep eating into it," DiModica said.
He said they were still waiting for the manufacturer notification of how much compartment space they were losing with the changes.
Initially approving the refrigerator to store water for the firefighters when they are on a call, Garon said he now regrets making the decision before getting the updated information from the manufacturer.
But two other committee members, Fire District Commissioner John Shea and firefighter Michael Lafond, said they were confident with their decisions and the committee’s approval of the additional items.
"The taxpayers did give us that amount of money to purchase equipment for the vehicle. We got a list of supplies we deemed necessary and it was approved," said Lafond, a 17-year veteran firefighter.
One advantage to the am/fm radio on board was that firefighters would have the ability to access updated weather reports, Lafond said.
He said he was very comfortable with the vehicle and the fire district was getting a lot of truck for the money.
Stating taxpayer interests were always his concern, Commissioner Shea said that "not in any way, shape or form was it going to hurt anything."
While some might feel a stereo system in a fire truck was a luxury, Shea said he saw it as a morale booster for the firefighters.
"And as far as the refrigerator for water for the firefighters, it is very practical as far as I’m concerned," Shea said.
In poll by The Call to the town three other fire departments -- the Cumberland Hill, North Cumberland, and Valley Falls fire districts -- no other fire trucks, including a 2003 ladder truck, are equipped with stereo equipment except for one brush truck and chief vehicles with am/fm radios.
None of the town’s fire trucks have refrigerators built into them, although fresh water is transported in either coolers or served at room temperature by all the fire districts.