Stillwater used to have a fire department to brag about.
We used to have the best ambulance service in the state.
Our emergency services once won an award for having the best emergency-response times.
Thanks to a lack of financing, we can no longer boast of such honors.
The Stillwater Fire Department is severely understaffed. What does this mean for Stillwater residents?
There are about 63,000 people living in Stillwater and on OSU’s campus. We depend on Stillwater’s Fire Department to protect us, and we’re grateful that we have them.
But with an understaffed Fire Department and ambulance response team, areas will be neglected in the event of an emergency.
This means that if the ambulance is out, there’s no fire protection until the ambulance is back.
If a big fire breaks out in one location and a major car accident with injuries happens somewhere else, one is going to be put on the back burner and people are going to go unhelped in an emergency situation.
Though a scenario like that has yet to happen, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t at some point in time.
The shortage of money and manpower also means that firefighters have to work multiple shifts of overtime to compensate and adequately protect Stillwater residents and OSU students.
Having an understaffed department also means that response times are slower.
When fully staffed, the Stillwater Fire Department could respond to emergencies in city limits in about five minutes.
The National Fire Protection Association set the optimal response time at six minutes, a goal only 35 percent of departments meet — and a goal Stillwater’s department can no longer meet.
Although protecting the city and university is important, overworking the firefighters is severely unfair and hinders their ability to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.
So students, if one of these days when The Village’s fire alarms go off and there’s an actual fire, please do all you can to avoid being in another accident. Stillwater’s Fire Department may not be able to help.
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This editorial page is becoming a mere mouthpiece for special interest groups. Need nicer campus police facilities? Just call up the editorial board and give em the facts, they’ll take a stand. Need more money for the fire department? Call up the editorial board, they’ll back you. Need to rename Murray Hall? Call up the old editorial board, they’ll support ya.
Someone has finally awaken to the fire protection problems in Stillwater? Get a grip Justin….special interest groups? You never realize how important something is until YOU are the one that needs them. Stillwater FD is severely underfunded, understaffed and overworked! I know it seems like an old cliche’ but wait until someplace like Gallager Iba lights up and watch how they will scream about a need for better fire protection. The firefighters in Stillwater are top notch, but they aren’t superman and can’t be in two places at one time. Give them the staffing to properly protect the city, you can’t use the excuse of not having the money anymore; it’s been worn out. The life they save may be yours someday.
I bet the sports page get your full attention. I know that the OSU athletic department gets full funding, too. So perhaps this will only be a necessity based on your perception of Risk Management, which by your comments has little to do with fact and alot to do with your disapproval of the Editorial Board. Good luck Mr. Akers and may your ability to use the free press not hinge on the hinderance of fact.