Fire department accreditation
After several weeks of fact-finding and investigation by several citizens on accreditation, the facts have finally seen the light of day. The Dispatch did a good job of making it public. Now it is time for someone to man up and explain the $250,000-plus that has been spent on accreditation. Chief Andrews what say you? Mr. Box was kind only to say you have misinformed the council. Accreditation has nothing to do with rating. That’s another false fact presented. Response times have been given, and based on those in the trenches, they don’t like the accreditation regiment. It has been reported morale is low and turnover is high, I don’t know the answer to that but something is wrong. Another undocumented bit of news concerns the fire academy graduates from the department. Are all those in leadership position completing the academy? What about the new SUV that is setting in storage, that was purchased to help with responding to 911 calls? I have heard it’s for the lack of trained personnel to operate it? We have an unfinished building on Airline Road that no one knows what the cost is going to be or the completion date. The chief, mayor and others are on a trip to Hotlanta, that was approved under less than truthful circumstances for the bargain of only $7,000. Thanks for the $2,000 cut. That’s taking care of the money the city doesn’t have. Chief Andrews has some explaining to do at the next council meeting, but we’ll have to wait and see. It seems to some on the council that everything is wonderful and great in the city and we do not have financial problems. A letter for another time will address the $3,000,000 being spent for LED lights. Watch for it.
God Bless America!
Lee Roy Lollar
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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