Letters to the Editor

PTC is the one taxing twice for fire/EMS

Tue, 06/12/2007 - 4:44pm
By: Letters to the ...

The topic of fire/EMS services in Peachtree City has come back again. The Peachtree City Council has made a formal request to Fayette County to establish a separate tax district for EMS (Emergency Medical Services) in Peachtree City.

The reason they give for making this request is that the taxpayers of Peachtree City are being taxed twice, paying taxes both to Peachtree City and to Fayette County for the same service.

That’s true, they are. I haven’t heard a current, or past, member of the Board of Commissioners claim that it was not true. The issue is that the commissioners have stated that it is Peachtree City that is taxing them the second time.

I have been opposed to the creation of a separate tax district because the city has turned down requests to examine and discuss this situation. They refuse to obtain accurate financial and performance data that would allow a comparison and decision to be made as to the best course to be followed.

Should a separate district be established or should Fayette County and Peachtree City services be combined? Which course would provide the best services for the lowest cost for the taxpayer?

Without doing a true study, what information do we have now that could help us form an opinion about which might be the best way to go?

Let’s just look at some facts about the fire and EMS service as currently provided. According to published reports, and discussions I have had, when a unit is dispatched there must be a minimum of two firefighters/EMTs to either fight a fire or render services. This makes sense from a standpoint of the safety of the firefighter/EMT and what they are able to accomplish.

Peachtree City sends its vehicles out with ONE firefighter/EMT. They have to wait for a second vehicle to show up with a second person before they are allowed to begin to fight a fire. How safe does that make you feel?

According to recent reports, the city seems to be finally discussing the need for two fire fighters on each apparatus. Meanwhile, EVERY vehicle that is dispatched by Fayette County Emergency Services ALWAYS has a minimum of two people. In addition, the county in this budget year is beginning to move from two to three people. How safe would that make you feel?

It seems to me only logical that if Peachtree City were to merge its fire/EMS with Fayette County, Peachtree City’s fire/EMS services would be improved and the people of Peachtree City would be safer.

Also, according to recent reports, the Peachtree City Police Department is short of people.

It seems to me that if the Peachtree City Council were to take the money they currently spend on fire/EMS and spent it on the Police Department, that department could hire more officers (and even put some on the golf cart paths) and this would increase the safety of the people of Peachtree City as well. And, they wouldn’t have to raise taxes to do it.

Which is more important to you? Public safety and taxes, or whose name is on the side of the truck? I know which is more important to me.

Let me add that none of this is a negative comment on the rank and file of fire/EMS or the police personnel. I believe that they are good people who do a good job.

I hope that the Peachtree City Council will look to the future, withdraw their request and do the fair and honest review needed to make the responsible choice. But, it sure doesn’t look like that’s about to happen.

Peter Pfeifer

Fayette County (Ga.) Commission

[Pfeifer lives in Peachtree City.]

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Mr. Pfeifer
Submitted by intheknow on Wed, 06/20/2007 - 4:18pm.

I know I've explained all of this to you, in very lengthy blogs in the past. I'm sorry you don't understand, and JUST DON'T GET the potential negative implications with your proposals to the level of service to Peachtree City residents, as I've previously spelled out to you. I know what your probably fed through FCFD staff, as they're out to protect their empire, so to speak. PCFD knows what level of service they provide to their residents; lets see four PCFD Medic units covering 25 sq. miles and 35k people verses what, now five FCFD Medic units covering 150 sq. miles and about 70k people.
Now lets look at your staffing statement: FCFD "Always has a minimum of two people and is beginning to move from two people to three". Even if true, this hasn't been the case for very long, as several one man Fayette County stations wasn't all that long ago, and even moving to three doesn't impress me much since national standards (NFPA 1710) are four to five on each vehicle (a long way to go, especially when stations are spread so thin). Further, Peachtree City is almost at a minimum two per vehicle now, and with current volunteer station staffing is often running some of the vehicles with up to three or four persons, just not as regular as would be preferred. With nine more personnel hired, PCFD would be at a minimum two per truck as well, and like FCFD could also be staffed at close to half the national standard.
Further, your statement of taking the money Peachtree City spends on Fire/EMS and spending it on the Police department is even more absurd. Sure, that could be done, merge the fire departments together, and then add the county fire tax to Peachtree City residents, that would be a plus to the county coffers, as the county fire tax is almost what PTC residents pay for all their city taxes (police/fire/EMS/library/public works/recreation/cart paths/etc....)
And once again, as you've misunderstood in the past, your statement "They have to wait for a second vehicle to show up with a second person before they are allowed to begin to fight a fire. How safe does that make you feel?" - Actually, by OSHA law, departments cannot make access into a structure where smoke is present until they can meet the "two in / two out" rule. I'll save all the legal jargon and standards here, but simple math of 2 plus 2 equals 4 means one engine with two persons can't go in, even you as an elected official should be able to add that equation.
Also, Mr. Pfeifer, if you could refrain from posting that your a "Peachtree City resident" from your blogs, as you don't represent the best interests of safety for Peachtree City residents, including my family whom reside here, this based on my several decades of public safety experience.
Intheknow

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What an idiot ...
Submitted by johenry on Tue, 06/12/2007 - 5:10pm.

how about fair taxation and improved public service?

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