The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District would like to make one thing perfectly clear, to all of you, the residents of the fire district. The Board of Fire Commissioners, as well as the chiefs and members of the Wantagh Fire Department, are committed to providing you, our residents, with the highest level of fire and EMS protection, at an affordable rate. The letter written by James Johnston, a former chief, turned disgruntled critic after being disciplined by the chief's office, certainly proves to be one-sided, and very far from the truth. Like other fire district boards, the board of fire commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District consists of five commissioners. In some votes, you are the majority, and others the minority. It is this process, which acts as a checks and balances system, which protects you the residents we are proud to serve. In my 12 years on the board, I have voted for and against many different issues. My first few years on the board, I was the new member with the new ideas, and found myself the minority. Donald Snyder with more than 50 years of dedicated service is sometimes the minority. This holds true for every elected official, in every area of government. Votes cast by this board have not, and are not determined by race, religion, age or gender, but on what is perceived by the voting member to be in the best interest of the residents, members, and their families. This board of fire commissioners treated past Commissioner Johnston no different from any other board member who has served in the past or is serving presently.

In addressing the statement by Jim Johnston, regarding the tax rate of the Wantagh Fire District, I have taken this opportunity to educate you the residents, with some facts and figures. The Wantagh Fire District covers approximately 11.5 sq. miles not including Jones and Tobay Beach. We have 230 members that staff five stations, and handle approximately 2100 alarms each year. In addition to Fire and EMS protection, the fire district through our dedicated fire department volunteer members, handles water rescue emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extrications, weather related emergencies, public education in our schools, and a growing Explorer Program that takes teenagers off the street and provides them with fire and EMS training. As one can imagine, providing the level of service that I have outlined, requires funding as well as the dedication of our many volunteers. In January of this year, Jim Johnston was explained in detail, of all the increases the fire district has faced. In addition, Chairman of the Board John Viola explained to Jim how the recent formula used to determine assessed valuation has changed, resulting in what appears to be a higher percentage tax increase.

Although the common goal of elected officials is to provide their constituents with the highest level of protection, while keeping costs affordable, Jim would like you to think otherwise. It is certainly true that the Wantagh Fire District has a large budget. It is also true, that we have one of the larger, busier fire districts in the county. In addition to the increases in electric, gas, fuel, health insurance and mandatory changes to the LOSAP program, there are items built into our budget that cannot be reduced, without hurting the residents. The Wantagh Fire District is in a location that is covered by many different water companies. Hydrant rentals from New York Water Service cost the Wantagh Fire District approximately $400,000 per year, hydrants from Levittown Water cost $14,000, East Meadow Water $2,500 and Bethpage Water $200 per year. Removing hydrants would result in a higher ISO rating to our homeowners, which would result in an increase to their homeowners insurance. Fire districts also follow OSHA mandates, as well as NFPA guidelines. These mandates and guidelines also result in increased spending that often cause a domino effect. New apparatus guidelines require firefighters to be, seated in enclosed cabs, when responding to alarms and training. Enclosed cabs result in a larger apparatus, larger apparatus results in larger stations to house the apparatus. In the past few years, the Wantagh Fire District has made renovations to two of our five stations. The two buildings that the Wantagh Fire District renovated, were built in the 1950's, and were in need of major repair. In both instances, the buildings were constructed to meet A.D.A specifications, fuel and energy-efficient appliances were installed, apparatus bays were fixed to house the larger apparatus, and the buildings were made to look appealing to our neighbors. In addition, we have replaced two of our engines that were more than 20 years old, and are in the process of replacing two more. Ambulance calls have also increased, and require funding to keep fire district ambulances on the road, equipped, and staffed with trained personnel. We do not bill our residents for the services we provide, as do other taxing entities. We do not place your calls on hold, and have our dispatchers trained in emergency medical dispatching, which enables a dispatcher to talk a caller through vital life saving techniques, until our trained staff arrives. Unlike other municipalities, we are constantly updating our fire district, without going to you the taxpayer, with requests for bonds. The Board of Fire Commissioners are pleased to say that it is the proper budgeting, forecasting, research, and spending cuts in less vital areas, that have allowed us to continue to make the progress needed to protect our firefighters, their families, and all of you, our residents, at a minimal cost. The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District thanks all of our residents for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We encourage any resident with a comment, question, or concern to contact the Wantagh Fire District, or attend any of our regularly scheduled monthly meetings. In addition, we ask that every homeowner of our fire district review their tax bill, and take note of the minimal increase from year to year, with regard to your fire district tax.

Wantagh Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners