Where There’s Smoke....
Recently there has been some concern about funding for our federal fire programs. Of course everything is under a microscope now to make sure that the spending isn’t wasteful. Personally, I think we should welcome this inspection. Whether it is AFG, SAFER, FPS or VFA, or any other federal, state or local program, there probably is a certain amount of waste, but I would venture a guess that with the federal fire programs, it is pretty minimal.
AFG, SAFER and FPS are all screened by panelists from the fire service which is what makes those programs so extraordinary. I have personally seen lots and lots of good come from the federal programs. Fire departments have turnout gear, SCBA’s, hoses, and trucks that would, to this day, be operating with out-of-date, worn out equipment. Those federal programs have been a lifesaver for many of our departments.
Having said all of this, I have seen some request for letters demanding that Congress halt any inquiry into the programs. I don’t know that this is the best tactic. Here is what I think would work better. Let your federal legislators know how important these programs are to the fire service, not in a demanding way, but give them the success stories that we sometimes don’t brag about. If you have replaced 40-year-old hose, we need that story. If you have turnout gear that replaced torn, worn out gear, get that story out. If you have been fortunate to get an engine, let’s tell them how you would be dealing with a 60-year-old truck were it not for these programs. And then make sure they know that all of this equipment does two things - it protects our citizens - and it protects our firefighters. I would venture to say that all of the equipment purchased in the last 20 plus years of these programs is doing good in our communities across Kansas.
Unfortunately, it has been 20 years on some of this equipment and we will need to be replacing some of it soon. Our small towns - and ever our biggest cities, do not have the funding available for the gear, equipment and trucks because the cost is so high. When your fire department has a five thousand dollar budget - and yes they exist - there is no room for capital purchases. When you have a multi-million dollar budget, you spend a lot on personnel and it gets difficult to get the powers that be to pony up money for equipment.
We in the fire service protect the homeland - we are proud of it - and we do a dang good job of it. Here is what I need from you. If you are reading this and have been a grant recipient of one of these federal programs, send me an email with just a few words about how these programs have helped your department, your community and your citizens out. Let’s overwhelm them with good news and great stories. Email those to me at treasurer@ksffa.com I will be glad to pass them along to the people that need to hear of our successes, because where there’s smoke...