Mayor asks residents to dig into their own pockets
 
By JENNIFER H. CUNNINGHAM
Herald News (Passaic County, NJ)
Copyright 2006 North Jersey Media Group Inc.,
All Rights Reserved  

WEST PATERSON — The borough's volunteer firefighters lack the essential equipment and supplies to keep them safe while battling blazes, fire officials told the mayor and council.

Dave Herrmann, captain of Passaic Valley Hose Company 2, said Wednesday at the council meeting that more than two-thirds of the borough's 75 firefighters lack helmets compliant with the National Fire Protection Association. The department also lacks enough beepers to notify firefighters of emergencies, and at least 50 percent of the department's bunker gear is not up to par.

"Many have holes in them from wear and tear, are sized improperly, or are more than 10 years old," Herrmann said of the gear, which costs about $1,300 per set.

But Mayor Pat Lepore said the borough couldn't afford to give the Fire Department any more money, and instead asked residents to donate $10 for every person in their household.

"The reality of the fact is, not everyone is going to give," he said. "The borough will do everything we can."

The borough gives the department $5,200 each year — a sum unchanged since 1997 — and is also responsible for insurance and fuel costs on fire trucks, Herrmann said.

Fire Chief Joe Macones told the mayor and council that the fire department is not financially prepared to handle an unforeseen cost, such as replacing a firehouse roof or driveway.

"We need some support," he said. "We need some backing."

Fire officials also appealed for donations during its annual fund drive, which began earlier this month. Herrmann said firefighters will be knocking on doors to solicit donations from homes and businesses. Residents donate about 95 percent of the proceeds — about $60,000 — the rest coming from borough businesses.

Each of the three firehouses receives $14,000 to cover maintenance and operations, and $1,500 goes into a social fund. Maintaining a firehouse costs between $12,000 to $15,000 a year, Herrmann said.

A paid department would cost the borough $3 million to $4 million annually, Herrmann said.

The current volunteer department consists of three firehouses: West Park Hose Company 1 on 35th Street and Providence Avenue; Passaic Valley Hose Company 2 on McBride Avenue; and Rifle Camp Fire Company 3 on Rifle Camp Road. The department has averaged 337 calls a year since 2003, and has logged more than 7,600 man-hours per year — not including training.

Herrmann said many residents don't realize that besides fighting fires, the volunteer department serves other functions, such as snow removal and evacuations during emergencies.

"They do a valuable service to the town," said Council President Ruth Patterson.

"If this was a paid department, the cost would be astronomical."

337: Average number of calls per year the West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department has responded to since 2003.

$12,000: Lowest annual cost to run a firehouse.

$60,000: Amount the West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department received in donations during its annual fund drive.

$14,000: Amount each firehouse receives in donation proceeds.

$5,200: Amount the borough contributes per year to the Fire Department.

Lowest amount a paid department would cost annually.