More Regionalization Info

The problems with regionalization:

- We still would need to build a new public safety building. The possible regional partners around us are all unionized, they will not want to partner unless our station is up to all state and federal standards. The only way to achieve that is with a new building.

- Loss of local control

We lose oversight of staffing, budgets, and service priorities.

Local leaders can no longer match services to our local needs.

We, as residents, become disconnected from our services.

Salary expense increases due to unionization and the need for parity across the region.

- Longer response times:

If a specialized apparatus, like a ladder truck, is housed in another town, its response time is delayed

Units may be tied up or out-of-service when a call comes in.

Delay times can be significant in our area due to weather conditions impacting the ability to drive on narrow, winding roads.

- Insurance costs go up:

Whether you believe that Massachusetts uses ISO ratings or not, it is common sense to know that your homeowner’s rates are based on risk v. profit for insurance companies. A higher risk (long response times, distance from station, staffing reliability, immediatly available equipment resources, etc.) WILL affect your insurance. Click HERE if you want more details on insurance issues.

- Reduced familiarity with the community:

Crews may not know local hazards, quirks with fire ponds (we have no hydrants), high-risk areas, etc. Our water management in particular requires specialized training and experience with fire ponds for drafting.

There is a loss of institutional knowledge when resident “volunteer” personnel are replaced by full-time staff unfamiliar with our town.

- Governance Becomes Complicated:

A regionalized system can get bogged down with political issues.

Regionalization adds a layer of management to the system. The region would require a “super chief” to oversee operations, and each town would need a battalion chief.

There are often disagreements among towns over budgets, staffing levels, apparatus placement, etc. These issues can take years to work out before regionalization even starts.

- Accountability Becomes Murky

It is harder to pinpoint responsibilities if an issue arises.

Our townspeople’s concerns and complaints can get dismissed—we become part of a large system, much like the school district.

Our costs will become dictated by the regional agreement with limited ability to effect changes. (Doesn’t this sound a bit like our school district, animal control, and dispatch fiscal liabilities! We just get a bill and that’s what we have to pay.)

- Expected cost savings don’t materialize:

It is the opposition’s argument that regionalization will save money. However, what happens is that more layers of control are needed (each station still needs a battalion chief at over $150k/year, in addition to full crews 24/7) which INCREASE costs of personnel. Personnel costs will not be offset by the savings from a reduction of apparatus.

Because we would have to unionize and the staff for both EMS and Fire will continue to need regular and recurrent training (state law), we would have to pay additional money BEYOND the employees’ shift schedule.

- The possibility exists that initial apparatus costs might transiently increase due to the need to standardize apparatus.

- There are many other factors as well such as morale problems, unequal service distribution, and reprioritization of apparatus that may be beneficial to one town but detrimental to another. Overall total call volume increases, resulting in a high possibility that a vital piece of equipment may not be available, etc.

Remember, nobody PLANS on needing help, but everybody at some point in their lives will need the help of first responders. AND, even if we did regionalize WE WOULD STILL NEED a new station to fulfill our obligation to the region.

If you don’t think that minutes in our response time matter, click HERE to our media links to view a real-life NEST cam video of a fire starting in a living room. KNOW that every second you wait for an ambulance if you are having a stroke or heart attack dramatically LOWERS your chances of a recovery. This isn't a scare tactic, this is well proven statistical fact. (Click HERE to go to our media links and view the video on the mobile stroke unit.)