Southwick takes up
Fire Dept. budget
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY
Staff writer
SOUTHWICK – Fire Department Chief Richard Anderson presented three versions of a preliminary budget to the Select Board this week.
“I tried to fulfill your directions of a level funded budget, a five percent decrease and a 10 percent decrease,” said Anderson.
A few line items included small increases, such as $3,000 for inspection services.
“Our trucks are getting older and I’d like to do some detailing and some repairs,” Anderson said. ‘They cost a lot and we need to maintain them.”
Dues are up $500 over last year because prices for subscriptions and affiliations have increased.
Anderson requested $17,000 for a microwave system, which is the next phase toward getting the town’s communication devices inline.
“The tower is arriving and once it is up I want to put a link to the police station,” he said, adding that the Public Works would also use the system.
Anderson said a camera could be mounted there to offer surveillance of the town’s water tank.
“They could watch it in the police station,” he said.
Anderson was asked by Select Board Chairman Fred Arnold if this would take care of the dead spots in town where safety personnel are unable to communicate right now.
“It should,” said Anderson. ‘We’re hoping for the best.”
A line item of $3,000 for radio equipment was included in the budget to mount laptops in cruisers. Anderson also included a $10,000 line item to replace parts of the Jaws of Life.
“It would be about $48,000 to replace the whole Jaws of Life,” he said. “So, we’re doing it over time, trying to replace parts.”
Anderson said the Jaws of Life would be comprised of nearly all new parts over four or five years. He added that the lifespan of the Jaws of Life is at least 20 years.
Another piece-meal replacement project is for the department’s rescue air bags. This year, Anderson budgeted $5,000 and said the current bags are nine years past their replacement date.
‘They’re like the Jaws of Life – you don’t need them often but when you need them, you really need them,” said Anderson.
On the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) side of the budget, Anderson said an additional fourth full-time staff member is included in the budget. Because Anderson plans to change shifts to a four-on, four-off schedule he would be able to hire another person at minimal cost.
“The difference between three and four people is just over $23,000,” Anderson said.
He added that because his staff has taken over the station’s janitorial needs, the department saved $12,000 in its budget.
A four-person full-time EMS contingent would give coverage from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week, said Anderson.
“I appreciate this analysis,” said Selectman Arthur Pinell. “You’ve come up with a formula that doesn’t cost anywhere near the level of services provided.”
Anderson’s budget also includes a request for the Lucas System, which is an automated compression device that attaches to a backboard.
“It’s a really nice e piece of equipment,” said Anderson. “It used to be the defibrillator was the big saver, but they’re now saying the effectiveness of compressions during CPR is now the big saver.”
Anderson said Westfield, West Springfield and Granby use the system with success.
‘This is the best EMS equipment I’ve seen in a long time.”
