Post by Fire Marshal Bill on Oct 2, 2013 22:39:54 GMT -5
Two informative articles in the Times Today, one an LTE from Bob Gordon, president of Adams County Council of Governments, and another by Richard Alloway on the importance of the fire tax. There will be a public hearing Oct. 26 at the Emergency Services Center on Greenamyer Lane for those interested in learning more.
Senator Alloway's article:
Staff/Guest Columns
Time to look at challenges
Posted: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 12:07 am | Updated: 8:19 am, Wed Oct 2, 2013.
0 comments
You spoke, and we listened.
Over the past two years, the Adams County Council of Governments has been studying equitable funding for our volunteer fire departments.
The group - which comprises the majority of the municipalities in the county - recently worked with a consultant to study those funding issues, and the results were sobering.
Our volunteer fire departments are underfunded, and given the nation's current economic woes, donations continue to decrease.
When the Council of Governments presented to me their legislative priorities for 2013, they asked the legislature to look at fire department and EMS funding.
As a result of that request, I am hosting the PA Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, as well as the Senate Policy Committee, in Adams County on Oct. 25 to hear your concerns.
The public hearing is being held from 10 a.m.-noon at the Adams County Emergency Services Center, 230 Greenamyer Lane, in Gettysburg. Committee members are seeking comment and input on the "Challenges Facing Firefighters Today."
It is an appropriate time to hold such a hearing, given our recent local discussions concerning an Adams County fire study, supporting volunteer emergency services and the potential reduction of ambulance service.
The eyes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are upon Adams County, because our local governments have been proactive in trying to solve our fire funding dilemma.
Topics discussed at the Oct. 25 hearing are likely to be diverse and complex in range, as there are many issues facing our firefighters and EMS service personnel. The panel is particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on recruitment and retention services, funding challenges and training costs.
Adams County Commissioner Chairman Randy Phiel is working with the Council of Governments and other agencies in organizing speakers for this critically-important hearing.
As I stated in a press release in this newspaper, this is a critically important time for our volunteer fire companies and firefighters. Donations are decreasing in these tough economic times and volunteer numbers continue to plummet.
State law dictates that municipalities have an obligation to provide fire protection and ambulance services to residents. However, a recent Adams County study found that fire departments are as a whole underfunded when compared to operating budgets.
Our volunteer companies are relying on donations alone, and that is not enough to ensure sustainability. It is vitally important to explore sustainability alternatives and keep our fire departments afloat. We rely on these heroes every day.
The PA Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee is chaired by Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne County). Please help me welcome these legislators into our community as we do our due diligence in assisting local governments with fire department funding and EMS services.
This is an excellent opportunity for Adams County! I hope our governing bodies take advantage.
Senator Richard Alloway II represents the 33rd District in the PA Senate.
Time to look at challenges
Posted: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 12:07 am | Updated: 8:19 am, Wed Oct 2, 2013.
0 comments
You spoke, and we listened.
Over the past two years, the Adams County Council of Governments has been studying equitable funding for our volunteer fire departments.
The group - which comprises the majority of the municipalities in the county - recently worked with a consultant to study those funding issues, and the results were sobering.
Our volunteer fire departments are underfunded, and given the nation's current economic woes, donations continue to decrease.
When the Council of Governments presented to me their legislative priorities for 2013, they asked the legislature to look at fire department and EMS funding.
As a result of that request, I am hosting the PA Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, as well as the Senate Policy Committee, in Adams County on Oct. 25 to hear your concerns.
The public hearing is being held from 10 a.m.-noon at the Adams County Emergency Services Center, 230 Greenamyer Lane, in Gettysburg. Committee members are seeking comment and input on the "Challenges Facing Firefighters Today."
It is an appropriate time to hold such a hearing, given our recent local discussions concerning an Adams County fire study, supporting volunteer emergency services and the potential reduction of ambulance service.
The eyes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are upon Adams County, because our local governments have been proactive in trying to solve our fire funding dilemma.
Topics discussed at the Oct. 25 hearing are likely to be diverse and complex in range, as there are many issues facing our firefighters and EMS service personnel. The panel is particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on recruitment and retention services, funding challenges and training costs.
Adams County Commissioner Chairman Randy Phiel is working with the Council of Governments and other agencies in organizing speakers for this critically-important hearing.
As I stated in a press release in this newspaper, this is a critically important time for our volunteer fire companies and firefighters. Donations are decreasing in these tough economic times and volunteer numbers continue to plummet.
State law dictates that municipalities have an obligation to provide fire protection and ambulance services to residents. However, a recent Adams County study found that fire departments are as a whole underfunded when compared to operating budgets.
Our volunteer companies are relying on donations alone, and that is not enough to ensure sustainability. It is vitally important to explore sustainability alternatives and keep our fire departments afloat. We rely on these heroes every day.
The PA Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee is chaired by Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne County). Please help me welcome these legislators into our community as we do our due diligence in assisting local governments with fire department funding and EMS services.
This is an excellent opportunity for Adams County! I hope our governing bodies take advantage.
Senator Richard Alloway II represents the 33rd District in the PA Senate.
Letters To Editor
Fire tax is needed
Posted: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 12:07 am
0 comments
Editor, Gettysburg Times,
Adams County needs a fire tax!
We all react negatively when we hear the word tax! We also know it is difficult to find perfect solutions to problems and much in life may not be fair!
The 34 municipalties in Adams County need to enact the 0.25 mill fire tax as recommended by the countywide study commissioned by the Council of Governments. One municipality (Berwick) currrently has a fire tax of 0.20 mills and Fairfield Borough just enacted a 0.25 mill tax. Average projected cost for each residential county taxpayer is $4 to $5 monthly. A real bargain in order to maintain our volunteer fire/EMS unites in our county.
Questions have been asked by some abouyt renters. They pay through their landlord (rent) same as they pay their county, township, borough, and school taxes. Some have stated to the press that our proposal is not fair and we should have a flat tax and everyone pay the same and not have it based on the assessed value of the real estate you own. My response to that is, I agree, but we have to work within the current laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Until such time we can get the laws changed, we will continue our efforts to change the existing laws.
The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charge the county with the duty to provide the 911 Emergency Services Center and Emergency Management and the boroughs and townships with the emergency medical services. The laws also provide for a dedicated fire tax up to 3 mills to pay for these services. You see a seperate line item on your tax bill so you know what you contribute and it is accountable. We have developed a list of what fire company expenses may be submitted to the municipality for reimbursement from this fire tax. We have also suggested each municipality establish a memorandum of understanding between the municipality and the fire company. In other words, a written contract to provide the services that the law states we shall provide.
The time is here for positive action and I hope your local elected officials will enact this tax to provide this necessary service that we all depend on when we need it.
I ask your readers to please support their elected officials and their volunteers fire departments. Questions? Talk to your local fire department. Thank you!
More info can be found at www.accog.us.
Bob Gordon,
President, Adams County Council of Governments
Fire tax is needed
Posted: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 12:07 am
0 comments
Editor, Gettysburg Times,
Adams County needs a fire tax!
We all react negatively when we hear the word tax! We also know it is difficult to find perfect solutions to problems and much in life may not be fair!
The 34 municipalties in Adams County need to enact the 0.25 mill fire tax as recommended by the countywide study commissioned by the Council of Governments. One municipality (Berwick) currrently has a fire tax of 0.20 mills and Fairfield Borough just enacted a 0.25 mill tax. Average projected cost for each residential county taxpayer is $4 to $5 monthly. A real bargain in order to maintain our volunteer fire/EMS unites in our county.
Questions have been asked by some abouyt renters. They pay through their landlord (rent) same as they pay their county, township, borough, and school taxes. Some have stated to the press that our proposal is not fair and we should have a flat tax and everyone pay the same and not have it based on the assessed value of the real estate you own. My response to that is, I agree, but we have to work within the current laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Until such time we can get the laws changed, we will continue our efforts to change the existing laws.
The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charge the county with the duty to provide the 911 Emergency Services Center and Emergency Management and the boroughs and townships with the emergency medical services. The laws also provide for a dedicated fire tax up to 3 mills to pay for these services. You see a seperate line item on your tax bill so you know what you contribute and it is accountable. We have developed a list of what fire company expenses may be submitted to the municipality for reimbursement from this fire tax. We have also suggested each municipality establish a memorandum of understanding between the municipality and the fire company. In other words, a written contract to provide the services that the law states we shall provide.
The time is here for positive action and I hope your local elected officials will enact this tax to provide this necessary service that we all depend on when we need it.
I ask your readers to please support their elected officials and their volunteers fire departments. Questions? Talk to your local fire department. Thank you!
More info can be found at www.accog.us.
Bob Gordon,
President, Adams County Council of Governments
I read both articles with interest. If you go to the web site suggested by Gordon, it will better explain how the funds will be distributed. I found great interest in it. I would suggest anyone concerned about how the money will be distributed look at it.