This past Saturday night I was part of a standby crew that did an overnight shift at a neighboring volunteer fire department. We brought an engine and an ambulance to their house to answer calls during their department’s installation.
I give the department an “A” for their fire house. This “A” is a PIO grade that I base, not on equipment in the truck room, but what the public would perceive is they visited the station beyond the “restricted” doors.
I am always proud to show our firehouse to visitors. We are basically a bare bones operation that gives great credence to the appropriation of taxpayer dollars. Yes we have flat screen TV’s, yes we have a bar area, yes we have a donated pool table, but beyond those few small amenities we are a simple house that provides just enough to encourage our members to spend some time in the fire house to be ready to answer calls. Obviously the bar is a no, no when one contimplates answering calls.
Our standby visit showed me a department similar to ours. Maybe a more updated bar area and ready room, but essentially the type of fire house you would be happy to show taxpayers both inside and out, although the justification of bars in house can get sticky to explain.
Unfortunately a good number of fire houses here on Long Island get the PIO “F” grade. Many are monuments to waste of taxpayer dollars. These “Golden Palaces” have banquet rooms that rival the best catering halls, bars that put top sports bars to shame, workout rooms that have better equipment then a Golds Gym and truck rooms that you could fit a jetliner in. Who thought this was a good idea? Who thought that this was a wise way to spend taxpayer dollars?
This is why many in the public do not like us. This is where we get the perception of being elite drunkards.
If you worry about visitors seeing the inside of your palace, maybe you should have bought a more modest home.
Also on The Fire PIO…
- Not all Public Speaking is the Same. What’s your Grade? – September 14, 2010
- Sign of the Times – August 23, 2010
- The PIO Should Keep Homeowners Informed on the Fire Ground – November 2, 2010
- What’s in your PIO or PAO “Go To” bag? – October 18, 2010
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