Published: July 01, 2009 09:50 am      

Now, local firefighters need our help

Across Indiana, there have to be thousands who pray for the day when property taxes are repealed, and they are the people who are probably glad state government has already taken many responsibilities of school funding off their hands.

But for all those proud Hoosiers who display signs or bumper stickers reading “Repeal property taxes,” I have but one thing to say: Be careful what you pray for, because you may get it.

Apparently 10 firefighters in Logansport and for that matter other cities are about “to get it,” as in the pink slip. Without adequate funding, city officials might let them go Jan. 1. That in itself is sad on a number of levels, particularly given the amount of training expense committed to the firefighters who have already served this and other communities. It also has to be tough to say to some firefighters, “Thanks for saving lives and property, risking your life and well-being and answering the call 24/7 when we needed you. You’re out of a job.”

Since the Indiana General Assembly probably won’t put out this fire in Logansport, it’s time to consider options other than job cuts unless the city really wants to stay inside the box and add to local unemployment figures.

First, there is the possibility of borrowing or accepting a one-time appropriation from the Logansport Municipal Utilities and retaining the jobs. Logansport has reserves, including its Eastgate Property Fund, and this is one place to start for at least one year.

Second, it may be time to explore shared costs with the Cass County Emergency Medical Services. Since firefighters are often called out to assist EMS on calls, this is not a stretch, but it will take some buy-in from the powers that be with Logansport Memorial Hospital and Cass County government.

Third, through attrition, the city can save funding simply by not replacing positions.

Fourth, it’s time to revisit fire protection agreements with surrounding townships and non-surrounding townships and come up with an equitable solution. It’s one thing to cut the number of Logansport firefighters, but if even a half dozen are injured in one fire, it could severely hamper the department for weeks.

Fifth, it may be time to close or even sell the fire stations at East Main and Montgomery and at 22nd and Spear streets. As for the south side, it would make more sense to locate a fire truck somewhere either in or adjacent to the Logan/Cass Industrial Park and the Logansport/Cass County Municipal Airport. As for the east end, a station either at the mall or near it would make more sense than the existing location for what most of us call “The Spear Street Fire Station” which was built before the mall was built, and before the land for the mall was even inside the city limits. Responding to fires east of Logansport where there is more residential growth, should be a concern. This isn’t a new idea. Former Councilman Tad Wilkinson proposed it several years ago.

As for city officials, they virtually have their fiscal hands tied otherwise, thanks to the state. Unless the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns can effectively lobby the Indiana General Assembly to boost public safety spending, there appear to be no changes on the horizon.

It’s ironic that schools will actually receive more funding in the next biennial budget, but if a school catches on fire, there could be fewer firefighters in Logansport and other Indiana cities who will be available to rescue school children. That should be alarming enough for most people — alarming enough to realize that for a change, it’s the public that should respond to a firefighters’ alarm.

• Dave Kitchell teaches journalism at Ball State University. He can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com