Fire chief requests funding for repairs
In the recently released 2009 Winder Fire Department annual report, Chief Ray Mattison implored Winder’s mayor and city council to authorize funding needed for repairs and remodeling of stations one and two.
“It is imperative funds be approved to repair and remodel both stations,” Mattison wrote. “This must be a priority.”
According to the report, Station No. 1 requires refurbishment and a room addition. The six bay doors are reportedly in bad condition and are becoming a safety issue. The department is requesting that the doors, frames, cables and motors be replaced. The report also states that the station’s exterior paint has faded and that the kitchen cabinets and floors need to be replaced.
“This station is 24 years old. It needs to be remodeled. This building is the firefighter’s home. It should reflect who they are and the city they represent,” Mattison said.
Station No. 2, located at 256 Fire Tower Road, is also the site of the department’s training center. The station is in need of a new roof, window replacements and termite damage repair.
As with the remodeling and refurbishment of Station No. 1, repairs to Station No. 2 were placed on hold due to budget constraints.
“It is with full understanding the financial difficulties we face,” Mattison wrote. “However, these two stations must be a priority for consideration.”
Other issues addressed in the annual report include personnel and funding.
Though the department is at its authorized strength with 21 full time firefighters, the department remains understaffed with part paid firefighters. The department has an authorized strength of 24 part paid firefighters, yet only 14 were on staff at the end of 2009. Part paid firefighters go to paid status when full time firefighters take leave or are in school. They also go to paid status when responding to calls or attending mandatory training.
The report also compares funding for the fire department to the police department’s funding. Currently, the police department receives over twice the funding that the fire department receives.
The report recommends a balance in funding since both departments are equally responsible for the protection of the city.
In 2009, Winder firefighters responded to 176 more calls than in 2008. The average response time was three minutes and 47 seconds.
Last year, the department responded to a total of 1,207 calls. Of these, 750 were rescue calls, 68 were fire calls and 389 other calls. On average, firefighters handled 3.3 emergency calls per day in 2009.
According to the report, Station No. 1 requires refurbishment and a room addition. The six bay doors are reportedly in bad condition and are becoming a safety issue. The department is requesting that the doors, frames, cables and motors be replaced. The report also states that the station’s exterior paint has faded and that the kitchen cabinets and floors need to be replaced.
“This station is 24 years old. It needs to be remodeled. This building is the firefighter’s home. It should reflect who they are and the city they represent,” Mattison said.
Station No. 2, located at 256 Fire Tower Road, is also the site of the department’s training center. The station is in need of a new roof, window replacements and termite damage repair.
As with the remodeling and refurbishment of Station No. 1, repairs to Station No. 2 were placed on hold due to budget constraints.
“It is with full understanding the financial difficulties we face,” Mattison wrote. “However, these two stations must be a priority for consideration.”
Other issues addressed in the annual report include personnel and funding.
Though the department is at its authorized strength with 21 full time firefighters, the department remains understaffed with part paid firefighters. The department has an authorized strength of 24 part paid firefighters, yet only 14 were on staff at the end of 2009. Part paid firefighters go to paid status when full time firefighters take leave or are in school. They also go to paid status when responding to calls or attending mandatory training.
The report also compares funding for the fire department to the police department’s funding. Currently, the police department receives over twice the funding that the fire department receives.
The report recommends a balance in funding since both departments are equally responsible for the protection of the city.
In 2009, Winder firefighters responded to 176 more calls than in 2008. The average response time was three minutes and 47 seconds.
Last year, the department responded to a total of 1,207 calls. Of these, 750 were rescue calls, 68 were fire calls and 389 other calls. On average, firefighters handled 3.3 emergency calls per day in 2009.
Good job, Chief Mattison for looking after your guys and the city. Don't listen to morons that speak of things they have no knowledge.