DEAR EDITOR:
There have been a few articles and editorials in the Gilroy
Dispatch recently in regards to the fire service and the staffing
of the Sunrise Fire Station.
DEAR EDITOR:
There have been a few articles and editorials in the Gilroy Dispatch recently in regards to the fire service and the staffing of the Sunrise Fire Station. The Gilroy Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 2805, would like the public to know some of the facts. The members of Local 2805 are 100 percent supportive of any new increase in the level of service for the citizens of Gilroy.
The Gilroy Firefighters Association’s involvement with a change in engine company configurations or the addition of fire stations is to ensure that their members are working in a safe environment.
To justify what safe working conditions are for engine, truck or squad companies, we refer back to national standards that are set to be used across the nation. Most of the standards come from the National Fire Protection Agency. This agency consists of city managers, fire chiefs, union representatives, trade group organizations, research/testing groups, special experts and users. So when the city decides to staff a new fire station with a “squad”, “engine” or “truck” company, we will refer back upon these standards to base what is a safe working condition for our members.
The Gilroy Fire Department currently staff’s only fire engines. The city is in the process of opening a new station with a new concept to the department, that we are calling a “squad.” There is also discussion for the future staffing of a “truck.” We would like to explain to the citizens the differences between what we are currently operating and what would be proposed for future expansion of the department.
Your City Council decides what the level of service will be for the citizens of Gilroy. You now are informed as to what the possibilities are available for the level of service in your area and what each level can do. The current fire station staffing in the city is with two fire engines. One is the Chestnut Fire Station located at 7070 Chestnut St., and the other is the Las Animas Fire Station located at 8383 Wren Ave. The “squad” will be located in the Sunrise Fire Station at 880 Sunrise Drive and is expected to be in service July of 2003.
If you have any concern over the level of service in your neighborhood you should contact any city council member.
Art Amaro, president; Mark Ordaz, vice president, Jim Buessing, secretary- treasurer, Gilroy Fire Fighters Local 2805, Gilroy
Submitted Wednesday, March 26 to ed****@****ic.com
