Van Buren fire study talks continue

Approximately 30 firefighters from the Warners, Lakeside, Baldwinsville and Memphis fire departments attended an informational meeting with the Van Buren Town Board last week to discuss what, if anything, the town and fire departments could do to improve services, efficiency and cut costs.

The meeting was arranged after several firefighters protested findings from a recent fire study, which was conducted at the town’s request by Public Safety Consultant Ron Graner of RFG Associates. The 200-page report makes 34 specific recommendations and 32 strategic recommendations, which include dissolving and reorganizing all current fire districts and creating a region-wide volunteer firefighter recruitment program (the entire study is available to view at townofvanburen.com).

Some firefighters felt the study was unwarranted and the findings skewed.

“I honestly feel we provide damn awesome fire protection for the town of Van Buren,” said Kevin Speers of Warners Fire department.

Officials assured firefighters they were not attacking them, just looking to see if there is a more efficient way to operate.

“We want to help you with training, equipment,” said Supervisor Claude Sykes. “This town board does not want to be in control of the fire departments.”

Sykes added that board members aren’t familiar with the day-to-day operations of the fire departments and therefore are not qualified to run the departments.

“The first step is to try and work together,” Councilor Pat Dickman added.

Discussion then turned to what could be done to improve services.

Steve Erwin of the Lakeside Fire Department said his department had a good recruitment program and retention of crew. However, he questioned how his department’s good fortune would benefit other stations, specifically the smaller department of Memphis.

“I don’t know how good recruiting for us or Baldwinsville is going to help Memphis,” Erwin said. “Memphis is too far for Lakeside to recruit for.”

Sykes said he envisioned an Engine 91-type program, which is the inter-department coordinated volunteer firefighter program used in Lysander where firefighters from different departments and districts work together to form a crew during times of the day when volunteers are scarce.

The merger of Warners and Memphis fire departments, which was proposed after the fire study was released, was also discussed. The board asked how the merger would improve the town’s situation and asked representatives to provide a report that included information regarding operations, training, equipment, response times, cost, recruitment and whether merging would improve services.

Attendees noted that a merger might not be the solution. For example, Baldwinsville and Lakeside have been working cooperatively since 2004 without a merger, sharing a fire station at the corner of O’Brien Road and State Fair Boulevard, as well as equipment, a move Erwin said has drastically improved response time.

Officials from both districts suggested all going under one umbrella, if it improves service, cost and efficiency.
“Put us together to get better service at a better price,” said Paul Johnson, president of the Baldwinsville Volunteer Fire Company. “I’d like to have Warners and Memphis join us.”

Other members had a different opinion.

“Things are getting done pretty efficiently [now],” said Mike Kolakowski, assistant fire chief at Lakeside. “If it’s not broken, why fix it?”

Sykes responded, “That’s why we’re starting at the bottom to see if there are grass roots interest.”

Before closing, Councilor Howard Johnson asked the representatives if they were having problems within their departments, and if so, what are they. Tom Perkins, the vice president of the Baldwinsville Volunteer Fire Company, said, “We need day people, a dozen or so.” He added that he believed it’s an issue all departments are facing.

The board plans to conduct future meetings with a committee featuring two representatives from each fire department.

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