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<br />''~~`` ~ ~~~' ~ tune-up, although it runs fine art present. As differentiated from
<br />our Police vehicles, which are periodically checked by professional
<br />- mechanics, we attempt to.rdo our own service work on this Van. While
<br />~~~'~~ I appreciate the efforts of the Fire Department, I strongly favor out-~~"~
<br />,';side.p"rofessionals attending to work on vital equipment. such as this..
<br />i-~: ,.Whi,1e there are those that contend this vehicle (one of five operated
<br />~ I ` .
<br />' by the Department) is not adequate - I must sight its sudden inadequacy
<br />a - rather"amazes me and others? It appears we have an "instant problem"
<br />~~i as„do we in ,fire personnel? If funds are available next year I would
<br />''4~ favor its replacement.
<br />` Getting back to Fire Department personnel; In a meeting that "
<br />~~ took place on Januar 13th of this
<br />Y year - attended by Councilmen Grogan,.
<br />Bennett, Busa and Flynn and Finance Director Relic and Fire Chief Hejc1 -'
<br />~~'~ and the Mayor - it was agreed we would advertise for additional Volun--_~
<br />r teer.Fireman and consider hiring a~full time firefighter later. On
<br />. February 3 such. an ad appeared in the Sun Messenger and the Hillcrest
<br />,~ i Journal. Response was excellent - to the tune o£ 168 inquiries - 78
<br />filed applications. These responses carrn from many nearby areas and
<br />. ,;, from a number of people with some experience. I have read where some-
<br />body, or group, now feels that these respondentst'are not"sui.table for
<br />our needs? That they would be inexperienced and would not know their
<br />,~'~ way around Mayfield? We presently have a fine. group of volunteers.but~"
<br />`.„',~~° I'm reasonably sure they, too, took training and had to learn .the roads
<br />' `.~'.~,` ~ '' of Mayfield. It has been suggested, too, that only Villagers make good
<br />~~'' volunteers. Our current Volunteer roster lists several members that '
<br />do not reside in Mayfield. It has' also been stated that we only have-.ONE "
<br />fireperson on during the day. I see it:differently; we have Fire Chief~~~
<br />' ',,
<br />Hejcl and Firefighter Karl Strasser. We also have~~the assist of our
<br />~~s. Service Department.(`4'members) who although not qualified HAVE, in .:`
<br />,` ,fact, assisted on a number of fires.. But~even;more importantly we haver
<br />`~~.'~ '. ,the"mutual aid services of several surrounding Fire Departments whom
<br />~;,;,~'' HAVE responded to our needs, as have we theirs.
<br />~~ ,.
<br />We have a great and dedicated Volunteer group. I want to see us
<br />add to this membership and T feel we can, provided We respond to those
<br />many that have applied. An exparid;ed Volunteer ..group, compiled with an
<br />. additional full time, firefighter later, 'can put us in excellent shape.
<br />' I am deeply disturbed by the "instant chaotic condition" some-would
<br />have us accept. This town has done a beautiful job of handling fire
<br />calls - from "cats in trees" to a couple of major fires. The "majors"
<br />.incidentally, were partial3y caused by lack of hydrants (water supply)
<br />in the Echo Drive area., Residents, there,, finally agreed to the assess-
<br />- ments but this happened after the fires. '
<br />~- 24 HOUR DISPP,TCHING -~ A. REAL PRIORITY!
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<br />Effective the end of this month the Village. Hall complex will have:,
<br />~,;',.,;~ a "Closed Dgor"..situation after 5:00 P.M. weekdays and Saturdays and
<br />Sundays: Don Gould will be leaving us and our 4 PM to 11~PM dispatcher
<br />will assume his duties 'in the-daytime. The term "Twenty-Four. Hour Dis-.
<br />patching", in a sens:e,;is a misnomer... While we have. had the EXCELLENT
<br />assist of Joe Wiece~(Highland Heights) over the years.- the fact re-
<br />' mains that there~is no "BODY" here, on the premises evenings and weekends
<br />UNLESS a police officer returns to write up a report or I'm.here to
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