Fire Department

UNDERSTANDING THE FORTY FORT-KINGSTON FUNCTIONAL CONSOLIDATION

Forty Fort and Kingston have discussed merging ambulance and fire services since about 2002. After many years and time discussing and contemplating this idea, both Forty Fort and Kingston entered into a formal 18-month trial functional consolidation of ambulance and fire services on November 1, 2007. Both departments have acted as one since that time.

Forty Fort went from a 12 hour crewed BLS service, with ALS provided by a secondary, private entity, to a 24 hour manned ALS provider in Kingston. Forty Fort also went from 1 career driver of the fire engine at any given time to 5 to 6 career firefighters with additional vehicle and apparatus responding.

As the functional consolidation progressed different approaches to responding arose. Mainly, working under the "one-roof" theory. This simply means that the belief of working out of the same headquarters would provide a more efficient response. So, for the months of June, July and August of 2008, Forty Fort stationed their vehicle and one driver at the Kingston headquarters at 600 Wyoming Avenue between the hours of 6 P.M. and 6 A.M.

After evaluating several factors, including, but not limited to, response times, efficiency and employee testimonials, Forty Fort Council decided to station one engine and our firefighter at Kingston Headquarters between the hours of 6 P.M. and 6 A.M. on a semi-permanent basis.

With the traffic light preemption devices (the ability to change the traffic lights) and the ability to more efficiently and quickly respond with the appropriate manpower and apparatus for each call, Forty Fort Council believes this choice serves the best interest of the residents now, as well as looking toward the future of the merger.

Question: What is the difference between responding out of Forty Fort versus Kingston?

When responding from Forty Fort, one driver and one engine respond to your call. Fighting a fire is dependent on the response of the very important volunteer firefighter(s). This could range from an immediate response to over many minutes (worst case scenario - no volunteer responds)

When responding from Kingston, a minimum of five career firefighters (some are paramedics), along with an ambulance and ladder truck (or appropriate apparatus) respond and immediately begin attacking the emergency.  Volunteer firefighters still respond and are needed. They are put to work once on scene.

Question: How far is Kingston's station compared to Forty Fort's and how will that affect my response times?

The furthest distance from Kingston is about 2.6 miles from the Kingston headquarters.

The furthest distance (the same location) from Forty Fort's station is about 1.57 miles.

Assuming the trucks can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour responding from both locations (using the preemption devices); the driving times are approximately 3 minutes from Kingston versus 2 minutes from Forty Fort. Know, factor in a minimum of 5 firefighters immediately responding (from Kingston) versus 1 firefighter (from Forty Fort) and waiting for a volunteer(s).

Some locations in Forty Fort are actually closer to Kingston, than our current station and several locations are equidistant.

Question: What does the Kingston headquarters have to offer that the Forty Fort station does not?

Kingston has room for many pieces of apparatus. They have bunks, showers, kitchen and lounging areas. They have training facilities, which include classrooms. They have a small "gym" for the employees to use. There is even a location to hang hoses to properly dry after being used.

Question:  Where do we go from here?

The functional consolidation will continue through the middle of next year (2009). At that time, we will probably continue operation in this manner. At the same time we will begin discussing contracts, budgets and a formal agreement. No decision has become permanent and Council will continue to keep the best interest of Forty Fort's residents at the top of the discussion.

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

ROBERT SMITH, CHIEF ENGINEER

ROBERT SGARLAT

JOSEPH "SKIP" KOZICH

ROBERT PUGH

HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT? EMAIL THEM - fire@fortyfort.org

VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

CHIEF JIM SHEDLARSKI