The men and women of the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District do a great job protecting our lives and property. Now is a critical time for the residents and businesses within the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District to support the passage of Ballot Measure 22-66.
Passage of this measure would allow the district to purchase much-needed fire apparatus. It is absolutely necessary that the district provide the safest most efficient equipment for our paid and volunteer firefighters.
Currently, the average age of the district’s four fire engines is 21 years old. Two of these fire engines do not meet National Fire Protection Association Standards for Firefighter Safety. These trucks need to be retired. The NFPA, among other things, sets safety standards and requirements for construction and compliance of many apparatus including those used in the fire service.
One of the new vehicles the district is looking at is an aerial ladder truck. The closest ladder truck is in Lebanon, and if available, is at least 20 minutes away. An apparatus of this sort is essential to aggressively fighting a fire that may occur in a multi-story or taller structure.
Buildings like that in our community are, the Boys & Girls Club, all the school gyms, downtown commercial buildings, industrial and mill structures, Assisted Living at Wiley Creek Community and many two-story homes.
It is much safer and effective to have a firefighter attack a fire from a truck-based ladder, than to attempt the same task, dragging tools and hose up a standard ladder, or onto a roof that may be about to collapse.
Maintenance costs of the older trucks are expensive and easily justify their replacement. Fire equipment must perform at nothing less than optimum and must be dependable.
The replacement equipment the district is seeking to purchase upon approval of this measure is essential to continue the safe, effective and efficient protection of our lives and property. Please join me in supporting the firefighters in our community, by voting “yes” for Ballot Measure 22-66. Let’s do what we can to keep our firefighters safe.
Milton I. Moran Jr.
Sweet Home