North East Fire District in emergency situation

The North East Fire District has been dealt some hard blows recently. On Sept. 23 it lost out on a public referendum to approve a bond resolution to finance the construction of an apparatus annex diagonally across the street from the existing, over-crowded firehouse. The annex was planned at 5,900 square feet on a lot next door to the post office. The fire company was in dire need of that space as it currently double stacks its emergency response vehicles and also stores some of its equipment off-site, in Millerton and Rhinebeck. The bond resolution would have authorized the issuance of $500,000. The $140,000 difference between the $640,000 maximum estimated cost for the project would have come from the North East Fire District Building Reserve Fund, according to the resolution. So, yes, taxes would have creeped up for property owners in the town of North East and village of Millerton, but not astronomically. According to Fire Commissioner Stephen Valyou, the tax increase would have been in the range of 5 to 8 percent, or roughly “at least $20,000 over last year’s budget.” And what residents and business owners would have gained was a better-equipped fire department, with local storage of some of its most important resources. Things, however, did not pan out and the vote — poorly attended by locals — was 31 against the measure and 24 in favor of it. Sadly, that means no new fire apparatus annex for now. The district is faced with another challenge — providing EMS (Emergency Medical Service) to town residents seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. That problem kicks in on Jan. 1, 2015, when the current volunteer squad will no longer be able to provide such services due to a lack of manpower. The town of North East has been aware of this dilemma for a while, and it’s been working with the fire district to come up with a solution, but so far none has been forthcoming.Questions about hiring an outside service provider are hard to answer, including whether such a provider’s equipment could be stored in the current firehouse or somewhere else in town. This would have been easier to answer if the annex had been approved at the polls.How much an outside provider will cost taxpayers — and how much 12 hours a day coverage versus 24 hours a day coverage will cost — are among the town’s main worries. And would moving to a 24-hour service provider make existing fire company and rescue squad members less motivated and dedicated to provide the services they have for so many years now? If so, the town could lose its entire volunteer base.These are all very real concerns — for the Town Board, for the fire commissioners, for residents. The stress and mental fatigue the North East Fire District has had to deal with lately is great. That’s on top of the department just doing what it does on a daily basis — protecting the town from fire emergencies and other dangers — something which many probably take for granted. It’s high time everyone give this fire department its due: Let’s thank it for all of its years of volunteer and exemplary service and support it for future coverage. The latter cannot be stressed enough. As the fire commission tries to handle its current crisis with town government in the best way it knows how, please lend it the support it deserves. And if anyone has a viable solution for EMS coverage come the New Year, speak up now before the current situation turns into a truly dire emergency.