I read the letter titled "Firehouse or Playhouse" written by Jeffrey Delott, and printed in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune in the Oct. 4 issue. I feel compelled to write this response. Mr. Delott's letter was filled with false and misleading statements, with whose only result was to severely insult and disappoint the 90 dedicated men and women that serve our community as members of the Jericho Fire Department. I regret that Mr. Delott, as well as others in the community have been misinformed. I have been a member of the Jericho Fire Department for the last 16 1/2 years, serving as its chief of department in 2000 and 2001, and as such have also spent much time and effort in participating in the planning phases of this project.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Jericho Fire District, the body charged with the fiscal responsibility and management of the fire district, is and has always been open and honest with the community it serves. As required by law, public hearings have been held with regard to the needs for a new firehouse and the community has had plenty of opportunity to comment. Plans have been shared with local residents, and changes to those plans have been implemented as a direct result of the residents' input.

While the Jericho School District has continuously raised taxes and passed bond issues to support their increased expansion, the Jericho Fire District has lowered its tax rate and without any need for bond issues for its updates. The fact that the Jericho Fire Department is currently a completely volunteer organization actually saves the taxpayers considerable money.

The need for a new firehouse is real and present. The current fire headquarters, opened in 1957, was built with little mind for storage and expansion. It was also built for apparatus that was almost half the size of today's modern, state of the art equipment that protects this community. This has presented considerable safety issues for the members that have to operate in this station. For example, it is necessary for firefighters to change in and out of their firefighting gear only inches from apparatus as they enter or leave the firehouse.

Mr. Delott has been seriously misinformed. The department will not be operating three fire stations as he states in his letter. The department will continue to operate Two stations, with the original station remaining as a fire district administration, maintenance and communications center. Some of which is currently being run out of an office trailer located behind the current building.

Many members, including myself, spend many hours weekly operating in the firehouse, all without any monetary remuneration. Being a former chief of department, I understand what is needed to properly run the department. A gym, a library or a simple "study room", and a meeting room with kitchen facilities are not just casual unnecessary provisions. They are needed components for a successful operation.

Mr. Delott, I say to you and anyone else that questions our need for new quarters, stop down to our current fire station. Speak to members, take a tour of what we currently operate in, and while you're there, pick up an application to join our organization. You might have a change in attitude.

Ex-Chief David M. Ginzburg

Jericho Fire Department