On Oct. 5, Hamilton Township Fire District No. 3 and unions Hamilton FMBA Local 284 and FMBA Local 84 presented a plan to the media that called for consolidating Hamilton’s nine fire districts into District No. 3. They also announced a township-wide petition drive, with the goal of collecting enough signatures to bring the matter of fire consolidation in front of township council. Before that point, fire consolidation had begun to gain momentum in the township, with many districts hoping for an unified entity to streamline fire service in Hamilton. But the District 3/union plan seemed to fracture support among the township’s 45 fire commissioners. Below are letters from the union presidents and two of the fire districts stating their positions on both fire consolidation and the plan submitted by District 3.
Hamilton residents deserve the very best fire service available to them, and every member of Hamilton FMBA Locals 84 and 284 strive to bring that to them every single shift.
Unfortunately, in many ways we are limited in our ability to respond to emergencies appropriately, bogged down by an antiquated system that residents and elected officials have called for change on many times throughout the years.
By consolidating Hamilton’s current nine districts into one we can ensure more efficient response, uniform equipment and training, and perhaps most importantly, a strong and centralized command structure. In a fire situation, seconds count. It is absolutely critical that as we run in to fires residents are running from, we have a coordinated response, precise instruction, and clear communications.
One district also means one cost for the best fire protection available no matter which part of the township you live in. Regardless of what Hamilton neighborhood you call home, residents can be assured that our members will answer your call in an emergency, why should some pay more than others for that peace of mind?
There is no doubt that this is a difficult decision to make, but allowing indecision to rule the day is unacceptable. Are we going to wait for tragedy to strike before we take action?
This plan will make Hamilton safer, stronger and better, and we are looking forward to working with our mayor, the Hamilton Township Council and the 45 paid Fire District Commissioners across the township to make it a reality.
Nick Buroczi and Mike Kiernan
Buroczi is president of Hamilton FMBA Local 284. Kiernan is president of FMBA Local 84.
This letter is to inform residents of the position of Hamilton Township Fire District No. 7 with regards to the recent discussion about fire service. HTFD No. 7 is serviced by Nottingham Fire Company, and serves the Hamilton Square and Langtree area, including the senior communities of Evergreen and Traditions.
We believe in these goals for the fire service: there should be one chain of command, unified training for all firefighters (this is happening now) and one contract for the career firefighters and officers. We have stated before that if consolidation was the way to accomplish the above goals and there would be minimal tax implications to our residents and businesses, we would support the change.
We do not support the present way consolidation is being introduced. We do support moving to a municipal fire department or consolidating to a new fire district to ensure that the costs and service to residents remain the same and the firefighters who keep us safe every day are protected.
Our residents and businesses are facing an 80 percent tax increase for the same service if the plan proposed by Hamilton FMBA Locals 84 and 284 succeeds. Dissolving eight fire districts and moving them into Fire District No. 3 will cause a tax increase in other districts as well. Fire District No. 3 has the most lucrative labor contracts in the township. That is why we want to see a municipal department or a single new district.
Residents of Fire District No. 7 need to ask the supporters of consolidation these questions: Can the proponents of single District provide numbers that will show how fire taxes would not increase for the residents of District 7? Can they pledge no fire tax increase for the residents of District 7?
These are questions the taxpayer needs to have answered before they are asked to sign a petition.
Fred Zauner
Zauner is a commissioner on the Fire District No. 7 Board of Fire Commissioners.
When we adopted our resolution calling for consolidation of nine fire districts into one new fire district, we had hoped to accomplish two things. We wanted to commence a meaningful discussion. And we were hoping to provide a sanction to a petition drive. The goal was to submit this “consent of the people” to the township council, and have a public hearing to determine the future of fire service in Hamilton. Fire District 9, serviced by Groveville Fire Company, is hopeful this process continues to move in the right direction.
We are very dismayed with the actions taken by Fire District 3. It appears they have unilaterally taken the position they can become the sole surviving district. Not only is this inconsistent with the language of the petition, it runs counter to every effort and intent expressed by both the commissioners in other districts and the paid professionals. They should be queried of their motives. They have not displayed the common courtesy of explaining their statements and actions to their fellow fire districts, instead opting to invite politicians to a hastily prepared press conference.
Union leadership should also have to explain their actions. The leadership appears to have bought in with the notion all districts can be merged into District 3. What is their intention for this action? Was an official vote of all rank and file members taken to condone this action? What truly are the tax implications? Has a labor agreement been negotiated? Fire District 9 has a proud history of good faith negotiations with the fire union. This stunt clearly lacks it.
The actions taken by Fire District 3 and the union leadership perhaps are worthy of chastisement. Upon approval of the petitions, we are recommending an objective arbiter be designated by township council to evaluate the best solution and long-term viability to the taxpayer of either a single, new consolidated district or a municipal department. We remain open to either concept.
Joseph Bellina, Rudy Coderoni, William Dimeo, Ross Hart and Thomas Flanagan
Hamilton Township Fire District No. 9 commissioners
