This is in response to a letter to the editor that was published recently in the Syosset-Jericho Tribune about the proposed construction of a new fire headquarters for the Jericho Fire Department. As the current chief of the Jericho Fire Department, I am responding on behalf of the 89 men and women who volunteer their time, unselfishly, to serve this community by providing fire and emergency medical service response. These members responded to almost 1,000 calls for assistance in 2001, all without any anticipation of compensation. In addition to ongoing emergency response duty, these members must complete regular training, maintain emergency medical certifications, perform regular work details and conduct numerous administrative and other tasks (all of which adds up to many hours).

This letter makes it sound that by being a member of the Jericho Fire Department, one is entitled to many perks - perks including "a private library" (a study room with fire and EMS-specific resources that support our ongoing training and required certification programs), "a private catering hall" (a meeting room with kitchen facilities), a private fitness club" (a fitness training room as required by NFPA 1500). Well, our members actually may receive some of these "perks" as well: missing dinner with family because of a medical assist call; missing a full night's sleep because an automatic fire alarm malfunctions in the middle of the night; performing CPR on someone's family member during a wedding reception in front of the bride and groom; giving up "free" weekend mornings to attend training sessions; having to worry about "weapons of mass destruction" threats to first responders; etc. ... and our members do what they do because they want to help the community.

Recently, the Jericho Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Open House. This activity is the highlight of our fall season, and it caps off several weeks of visits to the various schools in our community. At this event, the department showcases its skills and equipment through display and demonstration. This year we were fortunate to place into service a brand new fire safety education trailer, funded mostly by a grant from FEMA. This new equipment will greatly enhance the effectiveness of the safety training programs that the Jericho Fire Department provides to our children (and their parents, too).

The Jericho Fire District, for which the Jericho Fire Department is the operational entity, has been studying the feasibility of upgrading its facilities since the mid-1990s. The Fire District hired a planning consultant, who evaluated existing facilities, existing response patterns and membership trends and projected future needs. This consultant ultimately recommended that the Fire District construct a new facility. The district, following public hearing, acquired the proposed site for this construction through eminent domain condemnation. Plans for construction in this site then commenced. The actual design/development of the new firehouse was based on significant input from the membership, and was guided by current standards for firehouse construction. (Homeowners who immediately abut the proposed site were also provided an opportunity for their input.) This new firehouse is nothing different from new firehouses that have been constructed in other communities on Long Island, only that it is in Jericho (and it was configured to address the needs of the Jericho Fire District).

On Oct. 1, I was privileged to speak before the Town of Oyster Bay Board on behalf of the Fire Department regarding this proposed construction. My statement could be summarized as follows; this firehouse is for the community which we serve, by the community of members who serve it.

The Fireman's Association of the State of New York recently commissioned a study on what it would cost to replace volunteer fire departments with career-staffed fire departments ("Tax Savings and Economic Impact of New York State Volunteer Firefighters," prepared by the American Economic Group, 2001). This study concluded that this replacement would result in an additional tax burden in Nassau County of $615,324,733 per year (read, 18.4 percent tax increase). Yet, the fact is that the Jericho Fire District has lowered the fire taxes. The fact is, this new firehouse will not cost taxpayers $1,000 more per household. The fact is, the volunteer professionals of the Jericho Fire Department save the taxpayers of the Jericho Fire District money.

The letter makes implications, allegations and assumptions about the Jericho Fire Department that are inaccurate and, to a degree, insulting to the volunteer professionals who proudly serve the residents and businesses in the Jericho Fire District. As others have said, I, too, would challenge our residents to visit our firehouse, and "take a walk in our shoes." Then, perhaps, they might see things in a different light. We are your fire department.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve!

John E. Lottes

Chief of Department

Jericho Fire Department

P.S. And to our residents, remember, our membership recruitment efforts are ongoing.