By Bill Adams
The last Cantankerous Wisdom column mentioned that the raisin squad couldn’t understand why chiefs downsize their fleets as “the” solution to inadequate staffing. The reasoning for a lack of career or volunteer firefighters wasn’t questioned. Nor was my personal dislike of multifunctional apparatus. Reducing a fire department’s available resources was.
Before inciting the wrath of active firefighters, I must reiterate a raisin squad’s makeup. Also known as a wrinkle squad, it consists of old-timers, has-beens, past-their-prime players, white hairs, and the over-the-hill gang. Most fire departments have one. People don’t choose to join the raisin squad—they are put there! We’re generally considered pains in the neck or in another body part. Most haven’t worn an SCBA or been close enough to a fire to get warm in years. We collect or are eligible for social security, and our hair is either white or fast receding. Those who wore a white coat usually can’t remember what years they did. We realize times are changing. One third doesn’t like it, one third can’t accept it, and most of us will forget the conversation by tomorrow’s coffee. Because of affiliations, our bloviating only concerns the volunteers, although retired career people may feel the same way.
A Fictitious Fire Department (FFD)
Over the years, the FFD’s forefathers have firematically and operationally improved the department. They argued for, justified, and secured funding for a full-size ladder truck with beaucoup ground ladders—mainly because the buildings in town and the ISO necessitated it. As the need became evident, a heavy-duty rescue truck was secured with all the latest and greatest auto extrication equipment, umpteen cubic feet of cribbing, jacks, stabilizers, and such as well as salvage covers and related equipment. Perhaps a substation was added and the number of pumpers increased to four.
Let’s say the physical response district remained constant with the same type of buildings and exposures. Responses increased dramatically following the national trend of more EMS runs and fewer fires. Then, as in many jurisdictions, staffing drops off the charts. There are not enough people responding. White hairs generally accept combining single-function apparatus into multifunctional vehicles. But when they start closing stations and downsizing fleets, the squad becomes emotional and opinionated. Some believe it is a slap in the face to predecessors who’ve built up a department. Others ask that if the hazards remain the same, how can you reduce your resources? What does it do to the ISO rating?
The Tool Box
A fire station is a large tool crib holding many tool kits (the apparatus). You may not need every tool on every job every time. But, no good mechanic would empty his tool crib—only keeping what is used most often. At least I wouldn’t.
Mutual Aid and Mutual Assistance?
One raisin said use mutual aid. I disagree. I believe mutual aid is an emergency request for immediate help. “We got a problem we can’t handle—get here quick.” Mutual assistance is a prearranged plan: “You help me with this, and I’ll help you with that. You send me a ladder truck, and I’ll send you a heavy rescue.” Both can be and are abused, especially so when a department refuse