May 5th, 2025
After much talk and consideration between the Fire Department and the East Herkimer Fire Commission, the following letter is being sent out to the residents of the Town of Herkimer.
Dear Residents of the Town of Herkimer,
We are writing to you today regarding an upcoming vote regarding the tax increase that is being proposed by the Fire Commission. It is our goal today to inform you of the challenges we face in providing critical services to our community. The East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department is in dire need of a budget increase to keep up with the growing demands and needs of our community. Our department is committed to providing the highest-level service to our residents, but we cannot do it without your support. The proposed tax rate increase will enable us to address critical needs, including updating our equipment and vehicles, as well as providing our firefighters with the training and resources they need to stay safe and effective. The following issues below demonstrate why this is so important to us.
Our current fire engine is nearly 30 years old, and it is imperative that we replace it with a new one. The safety concerns surrounding our outdated fire engine cannot be overstated. The engine’s age has led to frequent mechanical failures, which can put our members at risk while responding to emergency calls. Moreover, the engine’s lack of modern safety features and outdated design make it less effective in protecting our community. Studies have shown that up-to-date fire engines are crucial for ensuring public safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “fire departments should replace their engines every 10 to 15 years to ensure they have the latest safety features and technology” (NFPA, 1901). Furthermore, a study by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) found that “outdated fire engines can lead to increased response times, reduced safety, and decreased effectiveness in emergency situations” (IAFF, 2019). Dedicated members of the department have come up with a proposal for a new fire engine that was built with the needs of the community and the firefighters alike as the priority. The fire commission is ready to move forward and get bids on this proposal, but that cannot happen without proper funding. It is also important to note that our other engine is 20 years old and before you know it will be due for replacement as well.
In addition to the age of our fire engine, we also need to consider the continuous cost of updating our equipment. Air packs, which are essential for firefighter safety, can cost upwards of $10,000 each. These air packs have time limits just like everything else, and we are due for new ones in 2031. This projected cost alone to replace what we have now is over $200,000. Our current jaws of life are also outdated and, if anything breaks, replacement parts are difficult to find. The new standard is battery-powered, which compared to our current hydraulic set, is better overall due to the increased portability, reduced maintenance, improved safety, enhanced performance, and lower operating costs. The list continues with the need to update other essential equipment such as turnout gear, radios, and various rescue equipment. The cost of outfitting one firefighter in turnout gear is over $3,500. New sets are ordered every year to keep everything up to date.
Another thing to note is that we are taking a proactive step to better serve our community by evolving into a first-response EMS agency. The highest percentage of emergency calls in our district is for EMS. The call volume can sometimes exceed our available ambulances in the area, leading to a delay in life saving treatment. By responding to EMS calls, we can initiate care and stabilize patients more quickly, bridging the gap until an ambulance arrives. Providing this essential service will require additional resources, including specialized EMS supplies. We believe it’s a vital investment in the health and well-being of our community. We’re committed to delivering the best level of care possible, and this new initiative will enable us to do just that. This is one more thing we need to keep in mind when it comes to our budget and why we need the increase.
We want to assure you that we have carefully considered the impact of this tax increase on our residents and have worked and will continue to work to identify the most responsible and efficient way to address our department’s needs. We believe that this increase is a necessary investment in the safety and well-being of our community. We urge you to join us in this effort and support the proposed tax rate increase. Your support will enable us to continue providing the highest level of service to our community and ensure that our firefighters have the resources they need to stay safe and effective.
The details of the proposed tax rate increase will be available at an upcoming Fire Commission meeting and will be posted when available by both the fire commission and the fire department, including our Facebook page and website. We encourage you to attend meetings and share your thoughts and concerns.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
The Membership of the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department
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