The issue of merging the South Byron and Byron fire departments was probably first raised in 1968, according Paul Boylan, the town's attorney.
It's never happened, and after a town budget meeting Wednesday night, it's apparently not going to happen any time soon.
Trustee Scott Wooten has apparently been pushing the issue and had convinced the other trustess to produce a budget this year with a single line item for two fire departments at the same funding as last year, but with a plan to reduce their funding each year by $10,000 a year until there is only one department.
"I don't understand why we pay $1.41 (fire district tax) and the average in Genesee County is .81," Wooten said. "What are we doing differently. Why do we need two of everything?"
Members from both departments were in the audience and argued that the expense of the departments are not as simple it seemed.
All of the current equipment is paid for, and two tankers are needed to comply with insurance adjuster standards, especially with the lack of public water in much of the town, and two engines in case of multiple calls or if one breaks down.
If the departments merge, the fire hall of South Byron would need to be expanded to accommodate Byron's equipment, reducing any cost savings.
Wooten tried to compare what Byron residents pay for fire service with other communities, such as Bethany and Elba.
But there can't be a direct comparison several volunteers said. In Bethany, the town owns the fire hall and in Elba, the village owns the department.
What seemed like a unilateral move by the board to force a merger didn't sit well with the members of the department.
"It's really not pleasant to be bullied like this," said Peter Yasses.
Wooten said he was just trying to do what he thought best for the town residents, and that a fire department tax of $1.41 per thousand seems excessive.
"Unfortunately, you think we're making too much money but somehow we're barely surviving in order to help our neighbors at three o'clock in the morning," said Dan Stevens.
Yasses asked, "who's complaining? I never hear any complaints."
Well, the farmers for one.
"But let them throw a match on one of their piles of paper," interjected Jim McKenzie, "and their whole field catches on fire and we're the ones who have to respond to it."
Chris Hilbert said even the $74,000 allocated now for each department isn't enough to run them. They each must conduct their own fundraisers in order to balance their budgets.
Some members wondered how the town would save any money with one department when current expenditures don't cover the full cost of the service.
There was much talk about hiring consultants to look at consolidation. One firm has already offered a $25,000 estimate for such a study, so the discussion turned to how to pay for it.
An actual study would determine what cost savings, if any, could be achieved; what a consolidated department would look like, and how to go about it in a way that wouldn't increase insurance premiums for town residents.
Wooten wanted to know why a consultant needed to be hired for such a study -- couldn't the fire chiefs do it themselves?. Several said they weren't qualified.
Byron Chief John Durand said he was probably qualified to do the study, but he has a conflict of interest.
"I've been a member of the department for 27 years," Durand said. "This is my seventh year as a chief. Whether I have an actual prejudice or not, everybody is going to think I do because of all that time with the department."
Durand seemed to like the idea of a study, but said if the departments were going to go to all the trouble of an expensive study, they should contact the Bergen and Elba departments and discuss the possibility of a regional department.
Hilbert suggested that each department kick in $7,000 and the town pay $7,000 toward the study, but under the current budget proposal, the town can add only $5,900 in more spending and still remain under the state's property tax cap.
It was at that point that Wooten decided to drop his merger proposal.
"If you're telling me this is the best for Byron, then I'll stay with you," Wooten said. "I'm confident that you're never going to come together. I'm convinced of that. This gentleman over here tells me we must have two of everything, so then we might as well have two departments.
"I just want to see why we're at $1.41 and the average is .81," Wooten added. "If you're telling me that's the way it has to be, then I'm willing to accept that."
The town of Bethany owns the
The town of Bethany owns the Recreation Hall/Community Center, they do not own the Fire Hall as stated in the article. The Fire Dept. owns it's own truck garage and all of
its contents and equipment.
Maybe the detractors need to
Maybe the detractors need to consider switching to a "professional fire department" such as the City of Batavia where the firefighters earn $70-100K per year.
I bet that would raise your taxes a little bit.
What happened to the concept of consolidation? Where there was not only reciprocal cooperation, but a reduction of duplicate coverage?
There is no duplicate
There is no duplicate coverage in Byron though. If there was a consolidation, you would still need the same amount of equipment to meet the town's coverage requirement.
Plus, South Byron is not a fire department, it is a fire company (South Byron Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated). The word department suggests that we are a town provided service, directly overseen by the town government (ex: Highway Department). We are actually contracted by the town to provide a fire service.
*-I am a member of the So.Byron Vol Fire Co. Inc, but my views do not necessarily represent the views of the organization.
This isn't the same as
This isn't the same as consolidating a town and village police department or highway department.
Upgrades to one fire hall or the other is going to cost money. The money has to come from somewhere, whether through increasing the fire tax, or through a bond, it still will cost the taxpayers of Byron.
What many people don't seem to realize is the majority of the expense to any volunteer fire services is the equipment and maintenance. Fire engines, or pumpers as they are sometimes called, should be getting regular testing to determine if there are any issues with the operation of the pump. That costs money. Fire hose, ladders, axes, halogen tools, k-saws, SCBA(Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), can't be purchased at the local hardware store. All of the equipment must meet strict OSHA standards, and the SCBA must be tested regularly as well.
For those who don't know what the SCBA is, that's the air packs the firefighters wear to enter a burning, or smoking structure, and use during a HAZMAT incident, and provides breathable air for the user. These pack can cost as much as $3500 for each unit.
Brain, your suggestion of replacing the volunteer department with a paid service, such as what the city of Batavia uses, as a cost cutting measure. What you haven't taken into consideration is the total cost for paid firefighters. That $70-$100K a year salary doesn't include the cost of benefits, health insurance, 401k retirement, the cost of sending one person to the fire academy to be trained, etc. In the long run, there wouldn't be any cost savings to the taxpayer.
Chris Hilbert stated that the annual budget from the fire commissioners isn't enough to cover the expenses and the department has to hold regular fund raisers to offset the expenses. This has been a practice in the volunteer fire service for decades, and Mr. Hilbert is 100% correct.
Raymond, I think Brian was
Raymond, I think Brian was saying that replacing us with paid guys would cost more, that's why he said "I bet that would raise your taxes a little bit."
Although I just noticed he wrote "Professional" when maybe "Paid" would be a better term. Volunteers may not be paid, but with the amount of hours in training, they sure as heck are professional!
Thinking that you can force
Thinking that you can force two independent organizations to merge just because they are funded by tax money is at best shortsighted. Trying to decrease their funding if they don't is dangerous to the public. Every fire company wether paid or volunteer has to meet certain standards not only for training but for home owners fire insurance. There are four fire company's in the town of Pembroke. Several years ago we met to discuss the idea of merging the districts. The sole intention was for financial reasons. The biggest obstacle is convincing members that they will not loose their identity.
One town, three fire districts (one a former village company). There are many differences in each and every company in the county. Most run EMS, some do not. Some have transporting ambulances,most do not. ALL need to raise extra funds to supplement their budget. Right now my company is trying to replace almost 20 year old accident extraction equipment (jaws of life) It will cost over $20,000 and we are committed to raising the money our selves so NOT ONE PENNY of tax money is used.
A new class A, triple or quad fire engine with 1000 gallons of water and a 1000 gpm pump costs at minimum $250,000. A new ladder truck today will cost upwards of $1,000,000 (yes million) dollars. A new Rescue Truck, any were from $90,000 to $300,000. Almost every fire department has to have a Water Tender (Tanker) ours has 2000 gallons of water and a 1500 gpm pump. Now add on $150,000 in equipment for EACH vehicle. To outfit ONE interior firefighter today is over $5000. Almost every single pice of EMS equipment is disposable. Im not against pooling district funds if it can help out the tax levee. I have to pay them too. In todays world more than ever, all Volunteer Fire Departments need to rely on and help each other out. I am not against the idea but it needs a long, long, look, planning and new ideas before it would ever happen.
My heartfelt thanks to the residents of my district and to all supporters of the county fire departments. We depend on you and you on us.
Actually I was being partly
Actually I was being partly sarcastic with my first comment.
Although I agree it is strange that the Byron/Bergen area tax rate is so much higher than the other areas in our county, I certainly don't know enough of the particulars to know why this is happening. Just as with any operation in a municipality or a rural community, transparency and accountability are paramount.
My bottom line would be, that ALL volunteer fire departments provide such an indispensable service that they should be supported enthusiastically. Oversight to keep any department from becoming excessive is only smart. But splitting hairs probably not necessary. Beware, less the volunteers decide the criticism is not worth volunteering for any longer.
Compare to a professional fire department like the City of Batavia where the largest cost there is probably the payroll [on taxpayers too]. So thank a volunteer fireman whenever you can.
The poll question really had
The poll question really had nothing to do with the professionalism or dedication of the volunteers. They do a great job that most don't want to do, always hoping somebody else will do it for them.
The question is mostly based on cost of operation and efficiency. Some companies are well staffed and funded. Others are having a hard time getting members or money, and they may have to consolidate some day.
Can anyone tell me what the
Can anyone tell me what the trends are for local volunteer fire department/companies with regard to numbers of volunteers? Increasing, decreasing or staying the same?
Justin, I understand what
Justin, I understand what Brian was saying; however, he was understating the cost considerably. The $70-$100k is salary only, and does not reflect any benefits package, which goes with the job. He also failed to mention that those figures reflect the salary of firefighters only, and not the annual salary of administrative, or command positions, which would be quite a bit higher.
In so far as your statement, "volunteers may not be paid, but with the amount of hours in training, they sure as heck are professional!"
No one is suggesting otherwise.
BTW, I'm a former volunteer firefighter/EMT and served 25 years, held three administrative offices and 2 command offices in the same department.
Unfortunately, this is the status quo at budget time. How much can be cut from the fire department's spending?
Cutting even $1, can have a profound consequence to the service these departments provide to the communities they serve.