Smaller fire department would be step backwards
To the editor:
After reading the letter Kirk Ward wrote in The Star-Herald on Nov. 9, 2011, I was a little upset. What is the city of Presque Isle thinking, downsizing the fire department in our community? This is ridiculous was my first thought.
As a citizen, homeowner, and mother of the community, I feel this is an unwise move on the city’s part. If you downsize the department you are going to have overworked firefighters, and the department will not be able to follow OSHA rules that Kirk Ward stated in his letter. I would not feel safe as a citizen.
I am happy to say due to the current status of our community’s fire department, my daughter, who got hit by a car this summer, received the care she needed in a timely manner. If the town downsizes the department who is to say they will have the coverage if two accidents of this manner happen at the same time or if there are multiple fires at the same time. All I can say is that this would be a step back for our community, which prides itself on being a nice and safe place to live and work.
Billie Jo Deschenes
Presque Isle
