Editor’s note: Chief Adam K. Thiel ponders just how bad things can get given the revelation that Detroit is considering allowing vacationing firefighters to fight fire in its city — for a fee.
To be completely honest, when I first read this story I had to double-check the date and make sure I didn’t miss the months between September and April; and that’s not a criticism.
Needless to say, it’s inspired a lot of FireRescue1 reader comments and discussion about the relative merits of the proposal.
Beyond the pros and cons of potentially allowing tourists to ride-along and help fight fires (at some level) for a fee, what really strikes me is that — given the current fiscal environment in Detroit (and elsewhere in the United States) — we’re in a place today where it’s not beyond the realm of possibility!
Could you ever have imagined that, 11 years after the 9/11 tragedy, we’d be seriously debating this concept?
To some it may seem like a far-fetched notion, but what are local fire departments supposed to do when their budgets have been cut, firefighters laid-off, the fires keep happening, and there’s no end in sight?
Any other ideas?
Stay safe!
