Ahh the joys of small town life continue. Today is town meeting day. Simply put those of us who are rational educated people get to spend time doing some community service while we try to navigate the village idiots (these people get elected too) through the warrant articles.
My gripe is with the continued reduction of firefighter/EMS pay. The town sets aside x amount of dollars to pay the call members for coming out and risking our lives at all hours of the day. What happens when that dollar amount is met and exceeded? Does the board of selectmen expect us to show up and provide our expertise free of charge? Do the townspeople understand that we are trained professionally who must continually attend continuing education sessions and keep our skills fresh? It's time to think about those who show up when you call 911! We show up on your worst day in your worst moment.
A big thing we hear in this town from our elected officials is that we should be treated the same as the highway department or the ladies who work at town hall. This means they do not want to pay the nominal fee for the firefighters to be members of the state firemens association. The association provides death benefits should we die in the line of duty. When was the last time the town clerk ran into a burning building or cut up a car at a horrific motor vehicle accident? However, in a small town such as ours the call department is more than firefighters and EMTs. We all have day jobs in which we are therapists, managers, mechanics, plumbers, truck drivers, and students. We are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. Yet we put aside our lives and duties when our pagers go off and help those who need us.
So to say we should be on the same level as the highway department...well will they show up to work if they know they won't get paid? Let's cut their payroll and see what happens next time there is snowstorm. I'll be the one waving from my sled as I zip past your house!
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