Goals for 2012

Mr. Buffington

I take great pride in my profession, and my department. I to desire "to see some stability in the county’s fire and EMS services" It has been "too many years of turmoil". However I strongly disagree with you as to pointing the blame for said "turmoil", as s "system’s structure" issue. I also adamantly differ with your inference that the makeup of this department is that of one which is structured to provide emergency service for a "big city department ".

"Turmoil" Chiefs: Post, Melvin, Skinner, O'Brien (refused offer ), Towns, Skinner (again!), and currently now Merrifield. You need a score card yet?. Assistant/Deputy Chiefs: Melvin, Wise, Bullock, , now batting...Skinner! Can anyone else read between the lines? I do agree with you again on the point of "multiple problems", however from my seat the genesis of the "conflicts" were not solely seated within our organization. Our issues were caused by personnel and incompetence (your words not mine), but the blame should not fall solely upon the department or its leadership. County leadership and the economic state of the county/state have created a revolving door of not only the leadership but general staff, for the Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services, now Barrow County Emergency Services...What, or who will we be next week, I venture to guess; not?

"System’s structure" You refer to Barrow as a "suburban/rural" area, to some degree you are right. However, many within the fire services, and others see Barrow for what it will be, and in some cases already has become. Barrow County is a county within the cusp of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area that is rapidly evaporating its rural pedigree. We as a department are struggling to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population (currently with a population of 69,367, population percent change between 2000 to 2010 of 50.3% [US Census] ). 2011 saw for the first time the department exceed 8000 total emergency responses. These figures equal to or exceeding many "big city departments" with similar populations/call volumes, The only difference is we provide services for an area of 162.3 sq/miles, not 20 or 30 city blocks. Most big city fire departments place 15-20 firefighters on the scene of the first alarm of fire. All this within the first 8 to 10 minutes, and supplemental alarms draw both additional resources to the scene and back fill stations. We are lucky to get 7-9 firefighters in twenty and are never afforded the back filling of stations. We as a department operate well below any nationally recognized response standard. So please enlighten yourself to NFPA 1710, "Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations." it all in black and white.

I posse you this question; what is the difference between a house fire in a metropolitan community and one which could/will and has occurred here in Barrow. Nothing! As far as firefighter's size it up, they are both equal. A average tax paying residential 3-4 bedroom home with 2500 to 3000 sq/ft of living space, has the same fire load, both need the same gallons per minute of water to extinguish a given blaze, and both have the same potential for loss of life.

In 2010 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce conducted a scientifically study on fire department staffing and the effectiveness of crews both at fire scenes and on EMS responses. The numbers do not lie. This study shows for the first time, what we have been saying for decades in the fire services; we are under staffed.

Economics are improving, as evident by the growth we are seeing both with the commercial and housing development around Barrow Crossing, as well as are visible with the construction of the Statham military reserve base and planed infrastructure enhancements which will surrounding the instillation. For the first time, at least form our vantage point, the doom and gloom, of cut slash and pray for a miracle governance should be giving way to responsible planning and growth, This growth should include both augmentation and improvements to all public safety programs. Programs long overlooked and/or slashed, much in need of updates modernizations and investments toward the county's future. With cooperation of vested parties, a structured and sound foundation for Barrows future is obtainable which shall yield dividends.
However, I fear without buy-in from all parties and constructive collaboration, we here in Barrow shall live up to our meaning: "barrow": (English) "a large mound of earth and or stones placed over a burial site"

Or we can follow a road less traveled...

"Happy Days will be here again... " We can choose to remove ourselves from this political boondoggle. For with the the new year, comes new opportunity, "A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward." FDR