Independant Fire Companies

[UnregisteredTrustee]

Can someone explain to me how Independant Incorportated Fire Companies are allowed to get away with all that they do?

We often worry and complain about districts, and yes many a district have too much and waste plenty of money, i.e. Syosset, Elmont.

But who do Independant Incorporated Companies answer to? And often you have trustees with zero business experience that are making the decisions that governt he monies in these companies.

This is worse than commissioners and worse than some districts. At least commissioners have to answer to the public.

Sure the companies have to answer to the public to some degree because tax money is used, but often many, many things such as renovations and plenty of unnecessary equipment is purchased and never noticed.

[34839287401]

Hi There,

Let me explain something to you all .You are taxed for fire protection and ems.most cases the tax is low between $300-$500 Per year .Very low for fire protection .All Depts Have a budget and budget lines As most of us do in our own house holds .They spend money on equipment bldgs and the every day works of there depts.There not asking you for more money to buy things they have line items in there budget and work with in that budget for the year.Think in your house hold things go up every year gas ,Oil repairs and so on as they do in the fire houses. If you are so concerned then join the dept and see for your self .If you think that these people are getting rich on your money you are so mistaken, and if they were people would be knocking down the doors to join .If you think a paid system would be better think again your taxes would be so high you couldnt live here.There are a few people who like to stir things up here but really have no idea, either they lost an election or they have nothing better to do with there lives at 2 am in the morning .you will not see a paid system on the island for a very long time if it even happens but you will see some change .Remember with time there is change in everything it is called progress.So if you have a question go to your local fire house and ask, here is not the place .

Thank you

Tax Payer

[Unregistered reality]

Hi There,

Let me explain something to you all .You are taxed for fire protection and ems.most cases the tax is low between $300-$500 Per year .Very low for fire protection .All Depts Have a budget and budget lines As most of us do in our own house holds .They spend money on equipment bldgs and the every day works of there depts.There not asking you for more money to buy things they have line items in there budget and work with in that budget for the year.Think in your house hold things go up every year gas ,Oil repairs and so on as they do in the fire houses. If you are so concerned then join the dept and see for your self .If you think that these people are getting rich on your money you are so mistaken, and if they were people would be knocking down the doors to join .If you think a paid system would be better think again your taxes would be so high you couldnt live here.There are a few people who like to stir things up here but really have no idea, either they lost an election or they have nothing better to do with there lives at 2 am in the morning .you will not see a paid system on the island for a very long time if it even happens but you will see some change .Remember with time there is change in everything it is called progress.So if you have a question go to your local fire house and ask, here is not the place .

Thank you

Tax Payer

GHFD
http://www.ghfdtax.com/Comparables.html
Is there not a problem here?

[Unregistered12344]

Hi There,

Let me explain something to you all .You are taxed for fire protection and ems.most cases the tax is low between $300-$500 Per year .Very low for fire protection .All Depts Have a budget and budget lines As most of us do in our own house holds .They spend money on equipment bldgs and the every day works of there depts.There not asking you for more money to buy things they have line items in there budget and work with in that budget for the year.Think in your house hold things go up every year gas ,Oil repairs and so on as they do in the fire houses. If you are so concerned then join the dept and see for your self .If you think that these people are getting rich on your money you are so mistaken, and if they were people would be knocking down the doors to join .If you think a paid system would be better think again your taxes would be so high you couldnt live here.There are a few people who like to stir things up here but really have no idea, either they lost an election or they have nothing better to do with there lives at 2 am in the morning .you will not see a paid system on the island for a very long time if it even happens but you will see some change .Remember with time there is change in everything it is called progress.So if you have a question go to your local fire house and ask, here is not the place .

Thank you

Tax Payer

This is a great place to ask. It's democracy at work!

[UnregisteredTaxPayer]

Budget line items for an independent incorporated fire company governed by a board of trustees?

-Paid custodial service
-HDTV Cablevision service
-Gym membership
-Open accounts at MANY vendors from uniforms to beer dist.
-Free soda
-Free beer
-Free liquor
-Cash gifts
-Trip to Baltimore Fire Expo or FDIC conference usually taken by inactive mbrs
(in other words the firefighters that would benefit from the training aren't the ones selected to attend)
-Chief's vehicles that average close to $100,000 when all is said and done
(and these chiefs that these cars to their jobs where they park them)
-Free food on meeting nights
-New dress uniforms for members when they gain weight
-New fire gear for members who never ride the fire apparatus
-Drill team racing costs - fuel, tires, mechanics, uniforms, hose, ladders
-Softball uniforms, entry fees, food and beer budget, etc.
-Ski trips
-Golf outings
-Equipment purchased that members have no idea how to use
(often the same in fire districts but in districts, at least the public has the ability to be heard)
-Often the best possible Length Of Service Awards Programs
-College scholarships
-A Board of Directors or Trustees that answer to no one or think that they answer to no one and spend money on whatever they want (including having work done on their own homes)

And we're worried about fire districts???

Of course people will argue about a paid service and how that will cost more, but that is a different topic.

But in a paid system you have none of what is listen above. Rather you have salaries, uniforms, protective gear, the cost of tuition for a fire academy for your firefighters, charter dues for the International Association of Fire Firefighters (which would be paid for by the members), the firefighters would perform the custodial work and you would have a lot less equipment and duplication. But that is a different topic all together.

What it comes down to is that Independent Inc. Fire Co.'s are the best kept secret and it is time that the spot light be shed on them.

What if you lived in a Village that was protected by an independent company and because of financial problems in you local government, the local fire company refused to respond to calls until they were paid the exuberant amount that they demand? Shake down?

[2397432180]

Ok

I was waiting for the unhappy trolls to answer .Since everyone is so smart and can make things work then try. By the way your statements are way out there.but it is always good to stretch the truth. All your complaining is not going to get you your paid dept like i said not in your lifetime or mine will you see it .So get over yourself .If your worried about your $350.00 - $500.00 A year then you must not be paying school taxes .But to be honest your not a taxpayer your renting im sure .Because when it comes to voting on fire budget or school tax budget only 1-2 % of people come out to vote in most cases .Which means there really arent to many people worried about the small fire tax .Get it .This forum gives people who have no clue a palce to be heard by other idiots so be it .The vollys will be here a long time so save your money and by a house then look at your school taxes .

PS this will give you something to ponder .Take couples who never had children and pay large school taxes you think they are getting there monys worth HMMMMMMMM Think not find a real battle .

Tax payer

[UnregisteredIAFFLOL]

"But in a paid system you have none of what is listen above. Rather you have salaries, uniforms, protective gear, the cost of tuition for a fire academy for your firefighters, charter dues for the International Association of Fire Firefighters (which would be paid for by the members), the firefighters would perform the custodial work and you would have a lot less equipment and duplication."

This has to be the funniest thing I have read on this site in a long time. You actually mentioned in the same sentence membership in the IAFF and firefighters performing custodial work....lol

First thing once they are firmly entrenched is they are Firemen, not janitors, then because it is a union shop you will have to hire union custodians....Keep drinking the coolaid.

[UnregisteredUnionShop]

KnowitALL you now tell me who does the custodial work in Long Beach and Garden City??? The firefighters. It is part of their daily routine. Just like in the City of New York.

[UnregisteredTaxpayer]

Well ...?

Who does the custodial work in LB and GC???

Yes, inexperienced paid EMT-CC's in many fire districts sit ont heir ass and refuse to do house keeping and custodial work and many commissioners and other true belivers feel that they shouldn't and a seperate custodian should be hired. This is usually in districts and they have the money - just like in the independent incorportated companies.

The paid firefighters do the cleaning.

So what's the next argument?

It's only a matter of time before the board of trustees in many independent incoportated fire companies are going to be looked at by the DA or other governing authority.

People have had it good (in their infinite wisdom) for too long.

Just because the public doesn't vote on who controls their fire tax doesn't mean that they don't have a say on how it is used.

Drill team trucks and apparatus that is not needed and/or the membership is not trained in serves no purpose and it is all used with tax dollars.

Drill team rigs from independent fire companies are funded and supported with tax dollars and the tax payers are elluded to the fact that these trucks are used for training purposes.

Like someone posted above, there is a long list of items bought with a never closing check book and million dollar independent companies are governed by a board of trustees and often those board members have not much more than a high school education and often work in some municipal job that they were given via political favor.

[president590]

The recent posts must be by a mayor or other elected official that wants to control everything in their sight. Most independent fire companies are well run org. that do a good job in keeping cost low . Check out the county web site most are among the lowest cost in the county. As for the lack of education that you keep interjecting good managers realize that they can not be experts in all aspects of the orgs. well being so you draw on the talent that you have in you company. OH I GUESS YOU DONT READ THE NEWSPAPERS WHAT ABOUT MADOFF,COSMO, STANFORD THEY HAD BIG EDUCATIONS AND SUPPOSEDLY SO DID THIER CLIENTS. Where did that get them wise guy. Hope to meet you maybe you could offer some help with all the expertice you claim to have.

[Unregistered7845]

GHFD
http://www.ghfdtax.com/Comparables.html
Is there not a problem here?

EACH AND EVERYTIME there is a word said about dissolution Gordon Heights comes up. They were just the EASIEST TARGET. yES, THERE MAY NEED TO BE CHANGES MADE, BUT NOT JUST IN GHFD!

Instead of trying to CLOSE a fire department, other directions could have been taken. You should have been pressuring your goverment about term limits, how to remove commissioners you feel don't have the taxpayers interest, those sort of things. CLOSURE IS NOT THE ANSWER! The resident taxpayer will not see that much differencein their tax bill because bills still must be paid.
What they will feel is a sense of loss as far as the safety and health of the community, as well as their volunteers. Don't buy into the notion that the membership will be the same because it it not so, and that is a fact. Your response times will be different, response will not be from the firehouse they currently house.

Lastly, remember THIS TO can happen to you, so let's all stand together for what is right!

[39074923017]

Ok People

Once Again yes there are afew people that enjoy this site which means there voice has not been heard anywhere else .Fire Taxes Average $300-$500 Per house hold in Suffolk .Voters only about 1% come out to vote the rest it really does not matter to them .Depts have a budget and as long as they budget there money well they can tend to the needs of the public and the fireman .

Progress

I would say 97% of the suffolk Depts have a paid EMS staff due to the increasing calls for rescues .Yes most are silly calls but the fire depts have adapted to the needs .

Firetruck the new ones most Depts have a truck committee and every 20 years they buy a truck on average some even longer and to be honest if they budgeted for the truck then buy it your $300-500 $$$ Ayear is not going to change .As a tax payer i have looked into this instead of bashing the vollys and I have to say most are doing a good job I say enjoy and keep the people safe .If you want to bitch about something again look at your school tax and feel for the elderly who have to pay it and have no kids in the school or never had kids at all.The few that bash the system of the fire house have an agenda and a poor one at that . Remember there are people in theis worls who just look to destroy others with no merit

Have a safe day

The Tax Payer

[A smart person]

Ok People

Once Again yes there are afew people that enjoy this site which means there voice has not been heard anywhere else .Fire Taxes Average $300-$500 Per house hold in Suffolk .Voters only about 1% come out to vote the rest it really does not matter to them .Depts have a budget and as long as they budget there money well they can tend to the needs of the public and the fireman .

Progress

I would say 97% of the suffolk Depts have a paid EMS staff due to the increasing calls for rescues .Yes most are silly calls but the fire depts have adapted to the needs .

Firetruck the new ones most Depts have a truck committee and every 20 years they buy a truck on average some even longer and to be honest if they budgeted for the truck then buy it your $300-500 $$$ Ayear is not going to change .As a tax payer i have looked into this instead of bashing the vollys and I have to say most are doing a good job I say enjoy and keep the people safe .If you want to bitch about something again look at your school tax and feel for the elderly who have to pay it and have no kids in the school or never had kids at all.The few that bash the system of the fire house have an agenda and a poor one at that . Remember there are people in theis worls who just look to destroy others with no merit

Have a safe day

The Tax Payer

THANK YOU!!!

[interrresting]

The recent posts must be by a mayor or other elected official that wants to control everything in their sight. Most independent fire companies are well run org. that do a good job in keeping cost low . Check out the county web site most are among the lowest cost in the county. As for the lack of education that you keep interjecting good managers realize that they can not be experts in all aspects of the orgs. well being so you draw on the talent that you have in you company. OH I GUESS YOU DONT READ THE NEWSPAPERS WHAT ABOUT MADOFF,COSMO, STANFORD THEY HAD BIG EDUCATIONS AND SUPPOSEDLY SO DID THIER CLIENTS. Where did that get them wise guy. Hope to meet you maybe you could offer some help with all the expertice you claim to have.

hmmmmmmmmmm

[UnregisteredCuffs]

Maybe one day when some fat fuck who got his job through political appointment/favor for the Town and is nothing more than a dump truck driver and is now working in Town Hall, who doubles as a Trustee in one of these Fire Companies; maybe when one of these guys is led out in cuffs and finally held accountable, maybe them people will get the message.

It's coming. Dig and you'll find something.

[UnregisteredTrustee]

A serious problem is that unlike in a district or a village fire department, the trustee board in an incorporated fire company can prohibit the members from answering alarms in an area that they (the company) have previously protected under contract, until that area pays their bill for fire protection. Thank God there hasn't yet been a tragedy at the hands of $$$ driven trustees, but there are plenty of them out there who think this way.


Mr. Suffolk Tax Payer, did you think of this problem? $300 dollar fire tax is all well good Mr. Suffolk Taxpayer, but when the kids that go to school with your kids (who live across town) are burned out of there home because the board of trustees of your local inc. fire company votes to not respond until payment is received, then what?

[Unregisteredghgj]

A serious problem is that unlike in a district or a village fire department, the trustee board in an incorporated fire company can prohibit the members from answering alarms in an area that they (the company) have previously protected under contract, until that area pays their bill for fire protection. Thank God there hasn't yet been a tragedy at the hands of $$$ driven trustees, but there are plenty of them out there who think this way.


Mr. Suffolk Tax Payer, did you think of this problem? $300 dollar fire tax is all well good Mr. Suffolk Taxpayer, but when the kids that go to school with your kids (who live across town) are burned out of there home because the board of trustees of your local inc. fire company votes to not respond until payment is received, then what?


It just like your homeowners insurance...... If you don't pay the bill you don't get to collect......... If they still responded to those that don't pay there bill then everyone wouldn't pay and they would not be able to pay there bills. Pay you bill and get fire protection very simple.

[0239473712888]

Hello silly man ,

Again I find myself trying to help and teach the silly people on this site. No Fire company or district will tell there members not to respond lets be real here.Also in suffolk your fire taxes are taken out of your town taxes so unless your living in moms basement and you pay no taxes you would know this . I have heard some real crazy stuff on here but you take the award for not knowing anything.The fire service at least in suffolk has moved forward to helping the public by putting paid ems in house 95% of the depts have some sought of paid ems.Yes this is called Progress.If you would like to write on here at least get your facts right .Also by putting paid staff on they have not increased your taxes this has come out of another budget ,remember the key word budget line items .When you ever see an increase in your taxes it is not for beer or t shirts it is due to the utilities going up just like in your house if you own one.

So if your fire tax is a burden to you at $300-$500 a year then your school tax must be killing you and you should be screaming at the school board meetings It is summer time and the teachers are off while we are working and getting paid HMMMMMMMM something to think about .Intead of the small amount of fire tax your parents pay for anyway .Do your homework and you will see it is going to cost a homeowner alot more for a paid service .

Thank you

The Taxpayer

[Old News..]

About 20-25 years ago, in somewhat more rural upstate NY & PA, it was common for fire companies to charge residents for fire protection, what we here on LI call a tax. Not being able to tax their residents, fire companies sold fire protection stickers, kind of like belonging to an association. If the fire company arrived & found a non-contributing house on fire, they simply set up hose lines to protect the exposures & let it burn to the ground, literally. Finally a resident had the stones & smarts to go above & beyond this fire company & get the NYS govt involved, after losing his house & posessions as exposures were protected. This brought the situation to light.

Think this can't happen?? It already has.

[93843921912]

Hello Again

I dont even know what to say to you at this point .they used to put fires out with buckets of water also LOL .This just does not happen here get a reality check already. Find a new battle to fight . You lost this one and your making yourself look really Dumb.

The Tax Payer

PS I will not rebuttle your silly posts anymore

[UnregisteredTaxPayer2]

What about the trustees in those incorporated fire companies that mysteriously have work done on their houses by the same vendors that they use for the fire company, on or about the same time as that work is being done for the fire company?

Home repairs, electronic deliveries?

Who runs fire companies and the money, the members or the board?

Aren't all members (active firefighters) technically share holders?

[373873829387]

Hello taxpayer2

Your really reaching for the stars now .Like I said before get a new fight this one is lost with your stupid remarks .Unreal that the public could be so silly to post nonsense on this site .Please another one that i will not rebuttle back to ..

The Taxpayer

[UnregisteredKickBack]

What about when a fire company trustee has his daughters wedding at a catering hall and then the installation dinner which had been at the same local country club for years is now mysteriously at that catering hall?

[Unregisteredsniffsniff]

Sniff Sniff Sniff... I smell a kick back! Which Company we talking about here?

[UnregisteredSmellARat]

Be careful how much you sniff my friend, you might be surprised just how much dirt you uncover and where!

[UnregisteredRAT]

In an INC. fire company, who runs the money??? Who controls the money and the spending??? The members or the trustees that are elected by the members??? Someone PLEASE answer me this question!!!

[Unregisteredproblems]

GHFD
http://www.ghfdtax.com/Comparables.html
Is there not a problem here?

very big problems

[UnregisteredFighting5th]

What about in the 5th Battalion on the North Shore, here you have a good amount of independent incorporated companies. Who is in charge of the money? The members vote on it and what to do with it? Or the board of trustees? The board of trustees are usually elected by the members? Are they the real voice of the members? Do the trustees usually even have a clue as to what goes on at a fire scene in this day and age? Are the trustees the ones getting out of bed at 3 AM when grandpa falls while on his way to the bathroom? So who runs the money? Who has the final say on how money is spent?

DA Rice should look into the fire companies more than the fire districts.

[Unregisteredcrooks]

I would hope that some departments in this battalion will learn a good lesson by what is going on down in Hempstead!

[jmp]

What about in the 5th Battalion on the North Shore, here you have a good amount of independent incorporated companies. Who is in charge of the money? The members vote on it and what to do with it? Or the board of trustees? The board of trustees are usually elected by the members? Are they the real voice of the members? Do the trustees usually even have a clue as to what goes on at a fire scene in this day and age? Are the trustees the ones getting out of bed at 3 AM when grandpa falls while on his way to the bathroom? So who runs the money? Who has the final say on how money is spent?

DA Rice should look into the fire companies more than the fire districts.

Why dont you come down with her . This way when we show you how wrong you are maybe you will shut your nasty pie hole that even your mama would not kiss. Because i know you are just some political appointed do nothing any way stiring the pot.

[Unregisteredapplesoranges]

District has Commissioners publicly elected officials the must answer to the taxpayer period.

Fire Companies are incorporated business' that provide fire protection to a community for a negotiated fee. What they do with that money is nobody's business but theirs as long as the contracted fire protection is provided period. They only answer to the taxpayer with regard to the service provided, that is it, they can do what they want with the money. Just like any other contractor that works for the government.

[coates]

Get rid of the districts and keep fire companies

[Rescue 787]

No regulation. Think about that

[Eng111]

Who is regulated now