Status of Marion County's Fire Service

[lilchilly20]

OK This is for everyone who resides or owns property in Marion County.

1. How do you feel the current level of fire protection is in Marion County?

2. How do you feel about the current "fee" attached to property taxes for funding the fire departments?

3. Would you like to see a County fire service with career personnel, either daytime or 24 hours in certain areas?

4. Would you be willing to support increases in taxes to get to that level?

5. Do you have any questions in regards to any of the fire departments in Marion County?

Let us see if we can actually have a positive discussion here and try to limit the bashing from those anonymous posters who have nothing better to do, please.

[bigfish]

OK This is for everyone who resides or owns property in Marion County.

1. How do you feel the current level of fire protection is in Marion County?

2. How do you feel about the current "fee" attached to property taxes for funding the fire departments?

3. Would you like to see a County fire service with career personnel, either daytime or 24 hours in certain areas?

4. Would you be willing to support increases in taxes to get to that level?

5. Do you have any questions in regards to any of the fire departments in Marion County?

Let us see if we can actually have a positive discussion here and try to limit the bashing from those anonymous posters who have nothing better to do, please.


I posed a question about a county-wide fire service on the "firefighter" thread and received good responses. It is a great idea to consolidate fire departments.

Here are the answers:
1. Fairly adequate but lacking. Thank God for volunteer firefighters. If not for them, the level of fire protection in Marion County would really be lacking. Nothing against full-time fire department employees because you guys cover your areas very well. It is the outskirts of Marion County that may need more attention at the moment. Areas like Britton's Neck, Gresham, Nichols, and Sellers (for example) cannot afford full-time fire protection and that is where the volunteers come in to save the day.

2. So long as any "fee" this property owner pays TRULY helps the fire service. For example, it is my understanding that any "bucket day" proceeds made by Mullins Fire Department goes straight into the City of Mullins General Fund. The "bucket day" proceeds may benefit the Mullins Fire Department OR it may not. In my opinion, that is dirty pool played AGAINST the Mullins Fire Department. (Correct me, please, if I may be wrong about the "bucket day.")

3. Yes. This may also bring the residents of Marion County more jobs is this economically depressed area. The next question is: How many stations do we need?

4. Yes. How much? ;-) (LOL)

5. Please get me straight on the Mullins Fire Department bucket day in case I am wrong, but that is how I heard it.


I also agree with Lil' Chilly: No bashing. We are all adults here.

[lilchilly20]

I can say for a fact that in the past this money has gone to general funds. Not sure if it continues to be that way or not.

That was one big issue with getting firefighters out to stand in the roads all day because many of them knew that they may or may not actually see all or part of the money benefit the department.

Not sure as to when or why that began in the past and I do not know for certain if it continues to be that way. All I can say is from the time that I was there that was where the money went.

[E. Lindeman]

I hate to say it, but maybe going to a county fire service might be a benefit to not only the citizens of the county but to the firefighters as well. Maybe that way the funds would be more evenly spread around the depts. and training and equipment would be closer to standardized. I'd be more than willing to see a tax hike if I knew it would be going to better the fire service, problem there is you'd have to really pitch it to the regular people in the county just right for it to go over at all. If they could be made to understand that they're, in a way, kind of saving their own lives or protecting their houses it just might work. It just seems like anymore you have to show a direct correlation, and sometimes in a shocking manner, to get people to stop thinking of only themselves and do what's right for the community, and half the time they don't even realize they're helping the community...it's still all about me, me, me....

[BUSTED]

If there were a county wide fire dept., no one from this area should be able to be the big chief. Maybe that person should be elected like the sheriff. That way the residents can have the last say.

[bigfish]

If there were a county wide fire dept., no one from this area should be able to be the big chief. Maybe that person should be elected like the sheriff. That way the residents can have the last say.


I am sure a lot of people could agree to that.

[ff2]

If there were a county wide fire dept., no one from this area should be able to be the big chief. Maybe that person should be elected like the sheriff. That way the residents can have the last say.

Elect a fire chief not from this area? Do you have info on a county that does fill the fire chief position by a county vote that anyone, but residents of that county ,can run for the position? That would be interesting to see how it goes. Please let us know. FF2

[lilchilly20]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by BUSTED http://www.friendsofsc.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.friendsofsc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=80826#post80826)
If there were a county wide fire dept., no one from this area should be able to be the big chief. Maybe that person should be elected like the sheriff. That way the residents can have the last say.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Interesting idea. We can elect a fire chief that has no experience in dealing with fire at all.

You actually think this is a positive idea to move forward with the status of our county's fire service. No qualified person capable of doing this job is going to commit to a job they have no real security in(except for the retirees and those that can not hold a job anywhere else). New fire chiefs every four years, we will be better staying just the way we are.

It is already bad enough that each time we get a new Sheriff, we usually get a new batch of officers under them. We do not need to fall in that same boat with the fire service.

If residents want to have more input in how the fire service should be and what they would like to see, that is wonderful. We could hold open house meetings at each fire station to let the citizens voice their concerns and ask questions. If citizens would like to see that, let us know and we will make it happen.

As far as electing fire chiefs, I am 100% against that, I just do not see any long term benefits from that.

[Unregisteredquestion]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by BUSTED http://www.friendsofsc.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.friendsofsc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=80826#post80826)
If there were a county wide fire dept., no one from this area should be able to be the big chief. Maybe that person should be elected like the sheriff. That way the residents can have the last say.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Interesting idea. We can elect a fire chief that has no experience in dealing with fire at all.

You actually think this is a positive idea to move forward with the status of our county's fire service. No qualified person capable of doing this job is going to commit to a job they have no real security in(except for the retirees and those that can not hold a job anywhere else). New fire chiefs every four years, we will be better staying just the way we are.

It is already bad enough that each time we get a new Sheriff, we usually get a new batch of officers under them. We do not need to fall in that same boat with the fire service.

If residents want to have more input in how the fire service should be and what they would like to see, that is wonderful. We could hold open house meetings at each fire station to let the citizens voice their concerns and ask questions. If citizens would like to see that, let us know and we will make it happen.

As far as electing fire chiefs, I am 100% against that, I just do not see any long term benefits from that.



are you scared someone besides you will get the job?

[Phantom 447]

are you scared someone besides you will get the job?


Unregisteredquestion why don't you register, oh yea that's right YOU ARE SCARED.

You sir are a troublemaker, besides I would support "lilchilly20".

He is a very well trained firefighter and good person as well.

Here is something you may recognize :finga: .

Have a Good Day

[lilchilly20]

are you scared someone besides you will get the job?

Well that depends, are you scared that you may have to work for me???:axe:

[Infamous1]

I also agree with lilchilly, you need someone thats put time in with the service to become chief. I also think a combined fire\rescue would be a great improvement for Marion County. I have a question, if the county did combine fire and ems would it be easier to get grant money to purchase ambulances. It would be a fire grant, correct?

[bigfish]

I also think a combined fire\rescue would be a great improvement for Marion County. I have a question, if the county did combine fire and ems would it be easier to get grant money to purchase ambulances. It would be a fire grant, correct?


A combined Fire/EMS Department would be a positive move for Marion County. I have always heard that there would be more possibilities for grant money but I am not positive what I heard was factual. Someone please enlighten us on this subject as it may be the financial "loop-hole" Marion County needs.

Money is surely not coming from any other source. Unfortunately our "leaders" do not seem to care. That sound you hear outside everyday is Marion County drying up....;-)

[lilchilly20]

I do not think that the answer for Marion County right now would be combining Fire and EMS like Horry County.

A consolidated Fire/Rescue Department of the current volunteer departments would be the most feasible answer.

EMS and Fire-Rescue can both fall under the same agency but cross-training all personnel is jumping a little ahead of the gun right now.

EMS is currently eligible for the majority of the same grants that Fire Departments are eligible for. The AFG program is open to EMS agencies as well.

Our problem is that you can not get awarded a grant if you do not apply for them.

There are many grants out there that we just let blow by like the wind.

The question is Why?

Did you know that we could apply for a regional grant for our entire county to build a training center for all departments to use?

I will not say it would be easier to get grants if the services were combined but there would be more options to take.

It seems to be the trend in this county that we can get awarded grants all day long for planting trees, beautification projects, and other items (not knocking these by any reason, these grants do help the image of the county) but why do we fall short when it comes to grants for emergency services?

The big issue for most of the volunteer depts is the legwork involved in prepping and applying for these grants. They require a little homework if you want to have a legitimate shot at getting the grant.

Our EMS system works well for our county (another staffed ambulance would be nice though)

I think we would create more issues and problems jumping right in and combining the Fire/EMS totally.

Maybe would could do a trial run of combing Fire and PRO, what do you think Fish:dumb:

[bigfish]

Maybe would could do a trial run of combing Fire and PRO, what do you think Fish:dumb:


So long as someone helps me pay this exorbitant diesel fuel bill! LOL LOL

[bigfish]

I do not think that the answer for Marion County right now would be combining Fire and EMS like Horry County.

A consolidated Fire/Rescue Department of the current volunteer departments would be the most feasible answer.

EMS and Fire-Rescue can both fall under the same agency but cross-training all personnel is jumping a little ahead of the gun right now.

EMS is currently eligible for the majority of the same grants that Fire Departments are eligible for. The AFG program is open to EMS agencies as well.

Our problem is that you can not get awarded a grant if you do not apply for them.

There are many grants out there that we just let blow by like the wind.

The question is Why?

Did you know that we could apply for a regional grant for our entire county to build a training center for all departments to use?

I will not say it would be easier to get grants if the services were combined but there would be more options to take.

It seems to be the trend in this county that we can get awarded grants all day long for planting trees, beautification projects, and other items (not knocking these by any reason, these grants do help the image of the county) but why do we fall short when it comes to grants for emergency services?

The big issue for most of the volunteer depts is the legwork involved in prepping and applying for these grants. They require a little homework if you want to have a legitimate shot at getting the grant.

Our EMS system works well for our county (another staffed ambulance would be nice though)

I think we would create more issues and problems jumping right in and combining the Fire/EMS totally.




Seriously, as far as the fire service goes, you talk and I will listen because you know about it more than I. What must Marion County do to get these regional grants? I met the grant writer for the county a couple of years ago and I was not impressed that much.

[Battle Ax]

I also agree with lilchilly, you need someone thats put time in with the service to become chief. I also think a combined fire\rescue would be a great improvement for Marion County. I have a question, if the county did combine fire and ems would it be easier to get grant money to purchase ambulances. It would be a fire grant, correct?

infamous1, are you a member of the county council?

[firefighter106]

This may Be a dumb? but im going to ask any way.We as Vol. Give A lot of time and money doing this but thats our choice . When i say money thats gas vehicle up keep that sorta thing. If they raised the tax would we get a break or how would that work.Im not asking for some hting for nothing but we as firefighters Vol. or paid what ever we give a lot and yes i see the point what if its ur house. Is the dept. have the equp. to get the job done to save it. I have lot to add to this but ill be here all day typing and i dont like to type much but i thought that id ask.

[IMPROVMRNCO]

I would be in favor of combining Fire Stations County Wide along with EMS.* The majority of the full-time firefighters are also Volunteer Firefighters and several also work for EMS part time.* To have one central location for both would make sense to me.* Also, I think that Marion County has a full time "Grant" Person.* Does anyone know if this individual works for obtaining grants for both departments.* Have never met her, but have spoken with her by phone and was NOT impressed.* There needs to be someone aggressively researching and submitting for grants.* With the financial shape that Marion County is in now, surly we would qualify for government assistance.* I am a Marion County resident, and have had a house fire before, trust me, if you ever experience this, you would NEVER complain about having to pay fire dues again.* Personally I think that the Firefighters, EMS and Police Department personnel are very underpaid for putting their life on the line each day to serve and protect the residence of Marion County 24/7.

[bigfish]

Also, I think that Marion County has a full time "Grant" Person.* .


In name only! LOL