To the Editor,
Recently there was a meeting of the Robeson County Fire Chiefs Association, which was created to be a voice of leadership for fire protection in Robeson County. As most everyone knows, fire departments in Robeson County are primarily volunteer. A few departments have a “paid per call” status, and as far as I know only one department is considered “career.” The majority are volunteer.
The reason for the meeting was to discuss a department’s request to increase the “automatic aid” being dispatched by Robeson County 911 center. This was requested due to the increase of manpower present on the scene of a working structure fire. The National Institute of Standards and Technology during different simulations, showed that an increase of manpower on scene of a “working” structure fire, actually increased the chances of an effective rescue of a trapped civilian. It also decreased the likelihood of an injury to or death of a firefighter.
The department receiving automatic aid would also receive extra credit with North Carolina Department of Insurance, which lowers the cost of insurance premiums. The fire department of any fire district should do everything possible to improve its rating. We fail horribly if we don’t.
My challenge to you, the taxpayer, is to call your local fire department and speak to the fire chief. Demand to know if they were for the improvements or not.
There are 32 or 33 individual fire districts in Robeson County. Of those departments, only 23 departments were present at the meeting. Only nine fire departments voted for the increase of automatic aid. There were 14 departments that voted against.
It’s time for the standards in Robeson County to be raised. To those nine fire departments that voted yes, I commend you for standing up and trying to improve yourselves. Continue to set the level high.
Eddie Cox
Fire chief
Northwoods Fire Department
If you felt so strongly against this proposed change, you should welcome any taxpayers in your fire district to call you and ask how you voted, and why you voted against the changes. If you really felt it was a waste of money and could argue that point, then the taxpayer YOU serve, should be happy with your answer.
I personally would have a hard time understanding why the Fire Chief of the fire department I pay taxes to, would hesitate to get more able-bodied firefighters, more equipment, and more water to my home if it were on fire, while at the same time saving me money on my homeowners insurance. The extra money that would be spent in fuel, that the taxpayer provides, by running 75-100 more fire calls per year, would by far be a drop in the bucket compared to the combined decrease in insurance premiums that each taxpayer in the district would enjoy,with a little EXTRA work from the VOLUNTEERS!
I happen to have an education, but it isn't even needed to understand the common sense approaches concerning this topic from the TAXPAYER point of view, like, more is better, more is safer, and more is cheaper!
I appreciate the service you give to your fire department and the citizens in its district, and it is perfectly ok to have a difference of opinion with anyone, which is what makes this country so great. Even voicing that different opinion in the form of a vote is a privelege, one that you were able to get. But when Chief Cox expressed his opinion by writing a letter to the editor, he did so in a professional way. He didn't call anyone out specifically, he didn't "downgrade", as you called it in your response, any volunteer firefighters at all, and he didn't suggest that anyone reading his letter attempt to oust any Fire Chief against the change. You even went so far as to call him childish!?!
You sir, by suggesting he step down for standing up for what he believes in a tactful way, and for being so against a change that would benefit the residents of our county, seem out of touch with reality in general and with the fire service. The saying goes, "a guilty conscious needs no accuser." Chief Cox didn't accuse anyone of anything, he only stated the results of the vote. I wonder what you are guilty of...based off of your response, I come name a few that come to mind, but I will take the high road and not "downgrade" you. I personally think a public apology to Chief Cox would be the ADULT thing to do. Be safe.
@ Chief Cox
Thanks for putting your name out there and standing up for a change that would benefit the residents of our county. Yes it would require more blood, sweat, and tears from the county fire departments, but it would all be in the name of SERVICE to our fellow man.
And, just to speak on behalf of most of the rationale residents of the Northwoods fire district, I don't think you will be getting any phone calls requesting you step down for trying to save us money during tough economic times, and for wanting to have MORE than enough resources at our homes in the event of a fire. THANKS for your service and be safe.
Need Assessment for Structure Fires
In Robeson County one of the most common types of structure fires dispatched is single wide mobile homes. Lets examine the man power needed for one of these fires. A fire department rolls on to the scene of a 70 foot by 14 foot wide single wide mobile home. 50% involved in fire with or with out a person believed to be inside. Fire department lays two 1 ¾ attack lines on the ground. Here is the man power that is needed.
1 Incident commander
1 Pump operator
4 FF’s two on each attack line
2 FF’s RIC or safety line you pick the term you use
2 FF’s to perform ventilation (set up fan, open windows or doors, or open roof)
1 FF’s for water supply, tanker operation
2 FF’s to perform a primary search for occupants
1 FF to perform rehab.
2 FF’s to perform overhaul
Now after an average of ten minutes of physical work wearing an air pack the 4 FF’s on attack lines and 2 FF’s performing a primary search will be out of air so it will take 6 FF’s to replace the first in crews.
6 FF’s replace first in crews.
22 FF’s needed Total.
Now the above is only the number of fire fighters that are needed for a fire that actually goes for more than ten minutes. Most structure fires the average time on scene for 50% involvement is 1 to 2 hours. For every ten to fifteen minutes of SCBA or Firefighting time (working time) you have to double your man power. Based on the manpower study listed above you will need a minimum of 22 people if the fire doesn’t go past fifteen minutes. As you are aware most departments day or nights can not put that many firefighters on the scene with three departments together and certainly not for at least 20 minutes after the first initial page.
We have got to get out of the old way of thinking and start looking out for our firefihgters and the citizens. In the words of Chief Billy Goldfeder " You need 20 firefighters responding on first alarm on an unconfirmed structure fire".
Can it be done with less manpower? the answer is yes Can it be done safely with less manpower the answer is NO! So who is responsiable if something goes wrong and someone dies or is hurt? The answer is the FIRE CHIEF!
Jeanie West
Steven West
Chief,,, East Howellsville Fire Department
In Robeson County one of the most common types of structure fires dispatched is single wide mobile homes. Lets examine the man power needed for one of these fires. A fire department rolls on to the scene of a 70 foot by 14 foot wide single wide mobile home. 50% involved in fire with or with out a person believed to be inside. Fire department lays two 1 ¾ attack lines on the ground. Here is the man power that is needed.
1 Incident commander
1 Pump operator
4 FF’s two on each attack line
2 FF’s RIC or safety line you pick the term you use
2 FF’s to perform ventilation (set up fan, open windows or doors, or open roof)
1 FF’s for water supply, tanker operation
2 FF’s to perform a primary search for occupants
1 FF to perform rehab.
2 FF’s to perform overhaul
Now after an average of ten minutes of physical work wearing an air pack the 4 FF’s on attack lines and 2 FF’s performing a primary search will be out of air so it will take 6 FF’s to replace the first in crews.
6 FF’s replace first in crews.
22 FF’s needed Total.
Now the above is only the number of fire fighters that are needed for a fire that actually goes for more than ten minutes. Most structure fires the average time on scene for 50% involvement is 1 to 2 hours. For every ten to fifteen minutes of SCBA or Firefighting time (working time) you have to double your man power. Based on the manpower study listed above you will need a minimum of 22 people if the fire doesn’t go past fifteen minutes. As you are aware most departments day or nights can not put that many firefighters on the scene with three departments together and certainly not for at least 20 minutes after the first initial page.
We have got to get out of the old way of thinking and start looking out for our firefihgters and the citizens. In the words of Chief Billy Goldfeder " You need 20 firefighters responding on first alarm on an unconfirmed structure fire".
Can it be done with less manpower? the answer is yes Can it be done safely with less manpower the answer is NO! So who is responsiable if something goes wrong and someone dies or is hurt? The answer is the FIRE CHIEF!
Jeanie West
President East Howellsville Fire Department.
i feel the government takes enough money away from the citizens already. why cant a government funded agency do what it can to assist on giving some back? "speakurmind" are you one of those who have money to throw away or are you like most struggling from day to day just to stay on top of the water? if you have enough to throw away their are probably alot of people in your district less fortunate.
Iso ratings, manpower, equiptment, and fuel are all because of the taxpayer. Do you pay taxes? If you do maybe you should think about having a lower rating to drop your insurance costs? Oh i forgot you throw money away!
All this doesnt matter. its nonsense. We probably dont need fire services anyway. Its all a crock. is that what you think? Evidentally so!
If you are going to do something, do your best, take pride in all you do. I "volunteer" also. However im a servant to the community. if it was for them i would be able to do what i enjoy. I think its commendable for Chief Cox to hold us to a high standard, not only to save lives and preserve properties, but to know how to do it safely and keep our rears from having to see that horrible fate.
If my residence was to ignite, and my wife and precious little girl was in there TRAPPED, i wouldnt care who got the glory for rescueing them, i would be thankful they did.
Maybe you need to think about that. If you were trapped and automatic aide wasnt in place or in this case increased, how would you feel. you wouldnt care if the president sent the secret service to remove you butt, but you would be glad he did. Maybe one day you will see how we as a whole in robeson county could be better. there is always room for improvement. when you start thinking there is no room for improvements maybe its time for you to get out of the 70's and get in the present day. fire science is always changing. or did you not learn that in fire behavior 1 and 2. On a working structure on average to have every task completed without people being overwhelmed it take roughly 30 firefighters on deck. and thats just a residence not a commercial structure. IS INCREASED AUTOMATIC AIDE TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR? I THINK NOT!
CHIEF COX I say thank you for asking for the increase. Why, you ask? Because sooner or later everyone gets caught with their pants down. You are only doing one thing by not wanting it increased. And thats setting yourself up to lose, one way or the other.
My thoughts on "volunteers" is simply this. At 3AM, a structure fire is paged out. Its a 2 story, 2000 sq ft home. Mama is in the front yard screaming her baby is trapped on the 2nd floor.... A) Does she really care about your compensation status? (NO!!!) B) What does she expect at that moment in time???? (she expects her baby in her arms) Nothing in the equation involves your status of being a paid or "volunteer" firefighter...
Every "volunteer" fire department in this county collects a fire tax. That is the contract between you and ROBESON COUNTY to provide EXCELLENT fire protection. That contract CAN and SHOULD be revoked if you are not providing the best service you can. (That's called CUSTOMER SERVICE)
As for anyone in The NORTHWOODS FIRE DISTRICT wishing for me to step down, that would mean they have to join the fire department, maintain 120 hours of training a year, respond to 25% of all fire related calls, 50% of all business meetings, and 50% of all work details. Then they have a voice. This is a standard agreed by the MEMBERSHIP of Northwoods. Either way the fire department wins. More members, more trained PROFESSIONAL personnel, OUR CALLS ANSWERED, AND EVERYONE GOES HOME......
Please justify for me your additional 75-100 calls per year. Are these factual numbers. I would love to discuss this anyone. I'm easy to reach....