Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on October 12, 2009, 07:12:57 AM

Title: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 12, 2009, 07:12:57 AM

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Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Suzy on October 12, 2009, 07:56:27 AM

That's awesome!  Congratulations, and a big THANK YOU to the EMT's and firefighters, and all the other volunteers that make Fairfax such a great place!

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 12, 2009, 08:02:50 AM

The last time I rode in an ambulance was in 1995 - Maryann took two or three trips last year.  Hopefully I won't have to ride in this one, however Maryann and I have our $45 paid that will take care of anything our insurance or Medicare doesn't cover.  Not sure when our year is up on that, but hopefully they will let us know.

I try not to get too excited when John Workman or The Minor Boys get a new hearse - No big hurry in riding in that.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 12, 2009, 11:50:55 AM

I might be wrong, but think the Calcutta tickets were for the Fire Department.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: HayesFXFD17 on October 12, 2009, 11:57:51 AM

We do work together but are two separate agencies with different governing bodies.  Fairfax Fire is an entity of the Town of Fairfax whom answers to the Selectboard where as Fairfax Rescue is Incorporated operated by a board of directors. 

Justin Hayes
Deputy Chief
Fairfax Fire Dept

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: trussell on October 12, 2009, 01:10:57 PM

Quote from: Henry on October 12, 2009, 08:02:50 AM

I try not to get too excited when John Workman or The Minor Boys get a new hearse - No big hurry in riding in that.

FYI Henry, John's hearse is actually a very nice ride....

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 12, 2009, 03:09:08 PM

Yahhh Trevor, but I understand it is a one way trip.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: mirjo on October 14, 2009, 02:20:27 AM

It depends if you're ridin' shotgun or in the rumble seat.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: special ED on October 14, 2009, 04:21:35 AM

now if you could only get the firefighters to give the rescue some room then they would be all set

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F24 on October 14, 2009, 05:58:22 AM

Special Ed

now if you could only get the firefighters to give the rescue some room then they would be all set


Which of the towns fire trucks do you want out of the fire station to allow rescue, which is not owned by the town, to store their spare vehicle?

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F24 on October 14, 2009, 06:06:21 AM

I think we should start pushing to get the KMC building for rescue.  Fix it up, clean up an eyesore, and give rescue a place with easy access to both Fairfax and Westford.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: NF46 on October 14, 2009, 02:52:48 PM

I do believe that there is an empty bay at the fire station while the fire dept waits for there new tanker. And I think that rescue asked to put it there for a short while and was turned down by the fire dept. Doesn't sound like they work together to me.

Quote from: 7F24 on October 14, 2009, 05:58:22 AM

Special Ed

now if you could only get the firefighters to give the rescue some room then they would be all set


Which of the towns fire trucks do you want out of the fire station to allow rescue, which is not owned by the town, to store their spare vehicle?

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F24 on October 14, 2009, 04:17:10 PM

"I do believe that there is an empty bay at the fire station while the fire dept waits for there new tanker. And I think that rescue asked to put it there for a short while and was turned down by the fire dept. Doesn't sound like they work together to me."

Rescue needs more room, that is a fact.  The bay that is semi empty right now is waiting for the new tanker that has been ordered.  In my opinion the equipment that the taxpayers of Fairfax own have priority over anything else in their fire station. 

I completely support rescue, I will respond anytime they call for assistance, and will do anything I can to help them, except put a fire truck outside, or block one in with their vehicle. 

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: formerfxfd15 on October 14, 2009, 05:31:39 PM

I agree with 7F24, I too support the rescue squad and I am very thankful for all that they do.   I feel that the KMC idea sounds very logical and would allow the rescue to have  their own space and more of it, and at the same time making the 104/128 intersection look nicer.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: special ED on October 14, 2009, 05:45:47 PM

now that would be worth donating time to right there

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: NF46 on October 14, 2009, 06:47:08 PM

I am not saying that the ambulance would be there forever. They do need there own place. The Rescue is a growing service. But the fact is that they asked the fire dept. if they could store it there temporarily and the fire dept. told them no. That is not working together. Plus, the space is currently filled with equipment not a truck, which isn't supposed to arrive until the middle of next year. I'm sure that equipment could be relocated. Maybe the rescue would  be willing to pay a little bit for the space. And as a tax payer in this town, I would expect the fire dept. to help out the rescue for a few months. If there not willing, then maybe we don't need 3 tankers in that station. The fire dept does do mutual aide to surrounding communities. They all have tankers. Why does Fairfax need 3 Tankers?

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: special ED on October 14, 2009, 07:12:30 PM

sorry folks I didnt mean to open up a can of trouble ,henry spanked me .to anyone I have offended I am truely sorry

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 14, 2009, 07:27:14 PM

This is truly a sensitive subject and members of both The Fairfax Fire Department and Fairfax Rescue asked me to remove Special Ed's original post, which I did, along with a response to it as I am unable to delete a post without deleting all those that follow it.

Now, apparently Special Ed is not big on reading his e-mail, so he thought his original post didn't take so he put it back up, however he did read his e-mail tonight, thus his last post.

We are a small town and need to be careful about creating hate and discontent.  We have a fine Fire Department and a fine Rescue Squad and maybe it would be best to let them work out what needs to be done amongst themselves with out getting everybody keyed up on a public forum.  Sooner or later, somebody is going to make an emotional statement or threat that will really tick somebody off and the fireworks will begin.  Lets make sure we don't do that here.

I could lock this topic, but don't want to do that as I think there were some good suggestions that Fire & Rescue can look at between themselves or come up with some new ones.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F24 on October 14, 2009, 08:58:03 PM

NF46

Feel free to stop by any Tuesday night and we can go over the use of our equipment with you.  Any suggestions you may have to help make the fire department more efficient would be appreciated.
                         Tom Snyder

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: mirjo on October 14, 2009, 11:18:14 PM

I'm impartial in this matter in part because I didn't see what specialEd posted originally, but it's unfortunate that whatever the issue it couldn't be aired out in a civil manner? Why is this so sensitive to the parties involved? Rescue isn't owned by the town or governed by the select board, but the taxpayers to vote on whether or not to give us money each town meeting day to help meet our operating costs, most notably the cost of paying the per diems that are needed to keep our shifts covered. We get funds from each of our coverage areas. It seems reasonable that taxpayers would want to voice their opinions within reason of course, so I guess what I'm saying is that if certain people are uncomfortable with that conversation, perhaps there is a reason for it?

NF46 commented that he didn't feel that the fire dept was working with the rescue squad due to declining the temporary use of the space, then voiced his opinion on the need for 3 engines. Clearly a sensitive subject, but why shouldn't it be discussed openly? It's all public service isn't it?

It's really no secret that Rescue could use its own space--espcially now. We are growing our call volume is increasing and we are actively recruiting all the time to increase our numbers so we can staff a second ambulance should we have two calls at the same time. Without  a home for one it presents a problem. A temporary solution is exactly that--temporary, so even if we had parked one of our trucks in the empty spot at the fire station, it would still need to be moved.

constructive debate is fine, bickering is a waste. We need solutions. Who is going to actively pursue the old KMC Auto idea? That was a solution.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: greenek on October 15, 2009, 06:06:31 AM

Until I read this string, I was under the impression that there was 1 entity, something like Fairfax Fire and Rescue.  When I see emergency vehicles drive by, I never really paid attention to the lettering on them. I assumed that depending on the call initiated to 911, a dispatcher determines the correct vehicle type(s) and the correct staffing to respond to an emergency.

Still learning new things after living here almost 2 years!

Kevin

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: mirjo on October 15, 2009, 07:38:09 AM

No, it's separate stuff. Rescue and fire just work together. The fire dept is a great bunch of volunteers, I have no complaints...I want to be very very clear and LOUD, we LOVE those guys. They come out in the middle of the night to help on rescue calls when we need assistance, they are hands on and accommodating at an MVA. Always willing to helpout and do what they can, some are also EMTs. They're the best, it's not lip service it's true,  we would be lost without them, absolutely!!!!!

But the fact remains, rescue is really just borrowing space in fire's building, politics infiltrates everything, even solid working relationships. I've been around for a little while and I'm still too new to know how far this point of contention goes back and it does appear a bit prickly, at least from what's presenting here regarding the new ambulance.

Actually greenek, dispatch knows to send fire (to a fire call) or rescue for whichever town is calling for the service, but it is up to fire or rescue to determine if they need the other to respond. For example: when rescue is dispatched to an accident, the crew chief decides from what is initially heard to ask for the fire dept, heavy rescue from a mutual aid town (location will determine who is called) additional ambulances, advanced life support (ALS), or jumpers in the area who can get there sooner whatever she thinks is  needed...

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: mirjo on October 15, 2009, 07:54:58 AM

...sometimes it's all needed, usually not. Whatever isn't is then cancelled. The reason for getting everyone on the road right away, is that it is far better to cancel what you don't need than wait for what you do. When fire is called to a scene the Captain or Chief (who ever is in charge of the particular call) determines if rescue is to be dispatched and when rescue is released from the scene as well as what other mutual aid is needed.

Fire and Rescue do work in tandem in all communities, but it is determined by the responding Chief in command, not 911 dispatch.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: David Shea on October 15, 2009, 08:02:47 AM

Please read my disclaimer prior to reading this.

I have read prior post in this tread and somebody would like to see this topic removed.  Henry does have the right to do as he pleases with this private site.  That being said, the US constitution gives us the right to "Free Speach".  What I see happening in this post is self expression and the exploration of how to heal a wound  that if left untended will fester and grow.  Seems to me Democracy is alive and well in Fairfax.

I too would like to ready about puppies and new born kittens and all of the feel good things that make us warm inside.  The bottom line is in order to enjoy the good things in life we need to work through and resolve conflict first.

I have another idea.  Instead of spending upwards of $395,000 or more to buy the land, demolish KMC, remove any hazardous waste that may be underground and rebuild a suitable ADA compliant town owned building that does not generate tax revenue.  
Why do we not sell the extra ambulance and avoid this conflict and future expense.  I seem to remember two years ago that the department was at critically low staffing levels.  Are we at a point where we now have staff enough to man two ambulances?  If so are we still providing payment for on call staff?

As for the fire department building.  This structure would cost upwards of 1 million to replace in todays deflated dollar.  Wouldn't it be better utilized if more community organizations had access to it.  In other communities such as Williston & Colchester the fire department embraces multipurpose use of the fire department facilities.  Any non for profit organization can utilize their facilities as long as it does not conflict with fire business and as long as the space is available.  Currently the only groups that I am aware of that have access to the fire house are Fire, Rescue and the Senior Citizens.

Can anyone explain to me why there is not more equal access to this facility?  Maybe it is an insurance issue?  If so then I would ask the question if our municipal insurance policy should be revised so that all town properties are adequately protected.  Maybe the certificate of use that was filed with the town states that the building is for Fire Department use only.  If so then it needs to be changed.

My opinion, what about yours?

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F24 on October 15, 2009, 08:56:37 AM

Can anyone explain to me why there is not more equal access to this facility?

I think there were restrictions when they built the building, Jim Field would know about that.  The biggest problem I see with using this building is parking.  If there was a call when the building was being used, getting responders in and vehicles out could be almost impossible.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: PotterFXFD on October 15, 2009, 08:58:28 AM

  Guess I need to check the board more often.  Tuesday night Mike Spaulding and myself discussed the needs of both departments. What we have come up with is this. There is currently a empty bay in the station, where we had to retire a tanker for safety. Our new tanker should be here sometime in December (it has been held up waiting on International to build a chassis). Both ambulance will be housed at the station until the new tanker gets here. Mike is working on several other spaces to house 1 rig in the future. He hopes to have something worked out before our new tanker arrives. I think we would preffer to keep the rigs housed in different locations as to give better coverage to all areas. We both have members that live in all corners of town as well as Fletcher and Westford. Both organizations do a great job, we do work well together, and this issue has been worked thru, with all involved parties happy with the out come.

Chief Dean Potter, Fairfax Fire.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: HayesFXFD17 on October 15, 2009, 09:26:06 AM

David,

I like what you have say.  As Deputy Fire Chief and a proactive community member I agree with multi-use facilities and community oriented facilities.  There are however, three major concerns which would need to be addressed with the fire station before any further talks of such could materialize.  I personally do not know the politics behind the land or structure use, but do know that I have always been instructed by Town Management that functions other than fire or rescue sponsored events and senior's biweekly luncheons are prohibited. 

The first and foremost is building security.  As with any business the protection of assets is imperative.  With what I would safety estimate as over a Million Dollars worth of personal protective equipment and life saving equipment stored in the bays along with administrative materials in the offices I have a huge concern with random persons in and out of the building.  I know Fairfax is a “friendly” community and we couldn't imagine tampering or vandalism happening here but the town is growing rapidly and there are just certain realities we deal with in today's world.  Without a very expensive system such as Kronos to limit access times and areas of the building, I as a department administrator am not comfortable with this as my responsibility is the safe operation and reliability of Town of Fairfax Fire apparatus and equipment. 

The second issues are the lack of adequate parking to accommodate functions along with the response of firefighters personal vehicles in the event of an emergency response.  Our call volume has increased 20% each year for the past 5 years and this year 2009 is projected no differently.  The frequency in which we are in and out of that lot and building is incredible and most people do not realize the amount traffic that fire and rescue create.  The calls Henry reports on his forum are only a small fraction of the calls both fire and rescue are responding to.  This does not take into account fire and rescue based meetings or events. 

The third issue is NFPA 1 and 101 Fire and Building Codes involving change of use, occupancy loads, and permitted parking.  There is a whole host of code requirements that would need to be complied with should the land and building be change from its current “deeded” use if you will to a multi-disciplined facility. 

I hope this clears up some of the questions as to why the building is currently not used for any other functions than those listed.  The reality is that to solve this issue will cost money in permitting, facility upgrading and security.  Not an easy or inexpensive solution that Chief Potter or myself have any control over. 

Justin Hayes
Deputy Chief
Fairfax Fire

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: mirjo on October 15, 2009, 09:41:13 AM

David, before ordering the new ambulance, it was discussed what to do about the old one and despite the current lodging issues, it made far more sense to keep it than to sell it for a few thousand dollars when replacement costs are well over $100,000. Having it available puts us in a position to generate revenue and do some things that we haven't been able to do, because of the limitation of having only one ambulance--whatever you think is unfolding here, believe me, it's a good thing for the rescue squad to have.

Rescue, while not "critically low" in staffing like several years ago, is still in need of paid help due to the lack of enough M-F daytime volunteers. Until there are enough qualified EMT's to regularly cover those shifts, the squad will have to rely on paid help. It's just a fact that has nothing to do with having two ambulances.

That said: Are there any retirees out there who would like to volunteer some of their time to a worthy cause? Any night shifters who wouldn't mind being on call one day a week?

Nights and weekends are mostly pretty well covered  and aren't as much of an issue.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: David Shea on October 15, 2009, 10:29:23 AM

Thank you for all of your replies.

I can understand the logic behind the response given by Lucien.  I am still at a loss as to how other facilities in our area that have equally expensive equipment, if not more so, & parking limitations are able to find a "middle ground".  Williston Fire is a prime example of this.  I worked with this department to provide cars for an extraction exercise.  The main concern for placement of the junk vehicles was parking, despite this legitimate concern Williston FD still is able to manage a multi purpose use building.  The same can be said for Mallets Bay Fire in Colchester.  I recently attended an evening training there, not a lot of parking either, but somehow they manage to be a good steward of deserving community organizations.

Permit process and costs?  I am sure that the organization that is trying to explore the expense of a community center is very familiar with this by now?  I am quite sure that the expansion of parking, re evaluation the permit, widening of the entrance to the fire house to meet or exceed current state standards, plus the adding of a fancy badge system, like the one used at BFA, would be far less expensive than the cost to construct a separate community center, heat, maintain, staff and insure it.  Skip Taylor is a permit expert I am sure he could give an actual figure for the cost.

I am confused as to why there is a special clause that allows for one outside group to use the fire house and excludes all others?  Does this group provide a service more valuable than all other non for profit organizations in town?  It seems like that clause could be widened?  Why is it that this group is given exempt status over others?

Code requirements:  All public building in the state have code requirements & a not to exceed occupancy number this has not proven to be a frequent problem.  I have heard of some bars in Burlington who on occasion have exceeded the occupancy number.

I would be more than happy to meet in person with anyone who would like to discuss this subject further so that a mutually beneficial use of this facility could be a reality.   

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Henry on October 15, 2009, 10:44:20 AM

This is about the only place in town where senior citizens can get in and get out that has facilities for meals.  Seniors used to meet at St. Luke's, but that was impossible for some seniors to get in to.  I believe it was at that time that seniors were allowed to use the fire station.  Some of our Seniors that attend are 94 & 95 years old, while others use walkers, carry oxygen tanks, etc.

Now, I might just be a bit partial here, but do Seniors deserve special consideration? - I think so.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: David Shea on October 15, 2009, 10:55:55 AM

Henry,

You are right senior citizens are treasures to our town. 

The only other Municipal building that is a available is the school.

I know that this building also has millions of dollars worth of equipment and confidential student records.  Let us hope that the school board does not decide to deny access to all of the weekend sporting teams, success by six activities, hunter safety classes ect.  If they ever do, what will we do?

Dave

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: Chris Santee on October 15, 2009, 11:24:19 AM

I have contacted Union Bank to hear their plans for the KMC building.
I will post their reply.

I am not trying to jump the gun here, just inquiring THEIR plans.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: David Shea on October 15, 2009, 12:11:48 PM

Hello again,
I contacted a former selectman who was involved in the decision to build the current fire station.
At the time the town built the station for approx $300,000.00.  The land was purchased at a bargain from Ben young in exchange that the town would build a road for him so that he could develope his land that is behind the fire house.  This road was never built by the town, I do not know why. The site work was done by the town road crew and the buildind was built by Adams, the owner of which was the fire cheif in Milton at the
time.

The reason that the senior citizens were given use on the dead was that the bank who financed it had
a lower interest rate for municipal stuctures that proved for multiple town uses.  Peoples trust financed the project.  At this time the school
was not in lock down mode so access was very casual.  Therefore the seniors were the one group at the
time that needed a space.

So a condition of financing was to provide for multi use, not to mention it secured a few more votes on the bond
decision.  This loan was paid off in 3 or 4 years, 1986 or so.  The bottom line is that the original condition of use has
expired with the final payment of the loan.

It is great to be able to still speak with the original decision makers to figure out the original rational.

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: 7F5 on October 15, 2009, 01:17:48 PM

Semi true Dave. The land I was told was donated. We have a plaque down here on the wall thanking the family for the land donation. Being involved with emergency services for 29 years I can remember the whole ordeal. The loan could not have been paid in 1986, we did not move in until winter of 1990.

We had originally bought land from the church, but found it was land locked. That was when this land was donated and being that some of the family members were getting along in age and enjoyed the senior luncheons they requested the site for fire/rescue and senior meetings. Do not believe anything was chiseled in stone. Also during zoning meetings, questions were asked about fund raising for building maintenance and equipment. Zoning said no, safety and parking.

Yes, we have a bay semi open. Question, who blocks who's' equipment in? Also if the powers to be decided to build or renovate a site for Fairfax Rescue, is the taxpayer going to flip the bill for an incorporation????

 

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: resqmas701 on October 23, 2009, 08:08:44 PM

I know that I am late jumping in here and I apologize. I have been out of state and apparently out of the loop since this all started. First I want to say thank you to all of you who are concerned with the situation that Rescue is currently in. It is unfortunate that some of the information that made it into this forum was not completely accurate or not completely true though most of it had at least some factual basis.

The truth is that Rescue did just receive shipment on its' new ambulance and that we are currently looking for a permanent home for it. What is also true is that just before I let town on vacation, Chief Dean Potter and I had a very lengthy conversation about temporarily housing the ambulance in the station until the new tanker the Fire Department has on order arrives. This frankly is what Rescue asked for and was all we could expect.

What is patently untrue is that Rescue and Fire do not get along. It is true that we are separate organizations and as such we need to make decisions that protect what few assets we both have. Those assets include equipment and space. As organizations we work hard to get the things we have so we are very protective of what we get.

The fire station was built quite a few years ago and at the time there was added extra space to accommodate Rescue and to allow for growth for the Fire Department. That growth has occurred and now the Fire Department is faced with a limited space issue and not much hope of expanding that space in the near future. What was not planned for at the time was the growth of Rescue which until just a couple of years ago was not a real issue.

With this in mind Chief Potter and I came to the agreement that the second ambulance could stay in the available bay at the station until such time as their new tanker is delivered. Again this is a good solution for all involved.

Several comments were posted regarding staffing levels, the need for the second ambulance and the purchase of the KMC building. I will try to answer these questions here. If I miss any let me know and I would be happy to address them

First, our staffing levels are not what I consider critical. In a perfect world I would like to see nothing but 3 person crews on the ambulance. It is not however a perfect world and the fact is that most services are fielding 2 person crews. This is acceptable practice in the ambulance industry and is the minimum requirement of the state EMS office. We do still use per diem staff members primarily to cover our weekday shifts. I do not see this changing in the immediate future unless we find a wealth of retired persons willing to volunteer or a lot of people working the night shift who can give of their time. Volunteerism is at an all time low. It used to be that there was actually a waiting period to get into some volunteer organizations. Now most families are multiple income just to survive. The stay at home mom is practically nonexistent. We do struggle for volunteers but the ones we have are passionate about what they do and give much of there time.

The question was asked whether we could staff a second ambulance and the answer is that we could a good deal of the time, probably more than 50% of the time. Without trying to sound crass, the fact is that runs equal revenue and increased revenue means lower requests from tax payers. The fact is that over the last 4 years our call volume has increased between 10 % and 20% each year. The trend that we are seeing is that we are missing an increasing number of calls because the ambulance is out of service for repair or on another call. Every time Rescue is unable to take a call it equates to lost revenue and increased wait time for the person needing assistance.

Our old truck is 10 years old. It is still serviceable but needed to be replaced as a front line vehicle. When we decided to purchase a new truck the best offer we had for the old one was $4000.00. When you consider we purchased that truck for $110.000.00 it became a no brainer. The truck was paid for and owed us nothing. If it takes 10 calls per year it made us more than trading it in would have netted us. Not to mention the fact that we will not be out of service again because the ambulance is being serviced or repaired. It really just made good sense.

At the time this decision was made we thought we had secured housing for the second truck in Westford which made sense since we have many members living in that town and we provide service to them. That deal fell through. We are currently looking at any and all options. One of those options includes approaching the Union Bank about possibly renting us a space at the old KMC among others. I am aware of the Hazmat situation there and would not want to own any part of that.

Even this would be a temporary solution. The bottom line is that Rescue has out grown its' present quarters and in the longer term needs to address those needs. That may be the purchase of land, the purchase of a building, adding to the existing building. We just don't know and we will keep working on it until we work it out.

I want to close this by reiterating that Fire and Rescue get along just fine. We do not always agree but who among us can say we always agree with someone else. In truth I would and do trust my very life to members of our Fire Department on a regular basis as I know they trust their lives to those on Rescue. We have a common goal and that is to protect the people in our community in the best way that we can. I think I can speak for both of our services by saying that we always welcome new members. I can think of no better way to serve your community than by providing essential services to our neighbors in need.

Sincerely

Michael Spaulding
President, Fairfax Rescue

Title: Re: Rumor Mill Has It There Is Something New In Town
Post by: vtoutdoorguymb on October 24, 2009, 11:25:54 PM

Well said Mike, thanks for clearing those issues up...