FMBA Local No. 50 Makes Their Case

To the Editor:
We, the members of Wildwood FMBA Local No. 50, know first hand and quite well that the City of Wildwood is in a critical financial situation. We also know that the city and its residents, along with the visitors and businesses, require a certain level of protection. We know and understand all too well that there needs to be compromises, and on numerous occasions we have stepped up and assisted in any way we could. Recently, we made numerous and large concessions in our most recent contract. In addition, our members have undertaken additional duties and assignments preformed for the betterment of the department as well as the city.
In response to the recent issues that have been brought to the public by Wildwood City Commissioners, we the members of Wildwood FMBA No. 50 consisting of the members of the Career Division of the Wildwood Fire Department, would like to bring to light some items and issues that the city commissioners, as well as the public may not be fully aware of.
Numerous times Chief C. Johnson and Deputy Chief D. Speigel have explained to Mayor Gary DeMarzo that we currently operate at the minimal staffing level allowed by law, despite providing the most services of any department in the county. Our chiefs also provided city commissioners a layout of how efficient our department is, with our department year end report. They have also recommended on several occasions for changes in billing, (small fee increases) for EMS, Rescue and Fire Inspections that will increase the revenue generated by this department, which in turn helps off set even more of our budget. We currently have the lowest fees in the county. However DeMarzo has denied our requests. He made the comment that this is not the answer and that he will not raise any fees that the taxpayer would incur. Yet at the last commission meeting, water and sewer fees were increased. These are services that this department provides, and the increases would generate additional revenue. Other county EMS providers charge upwards of $700 for services. Our department currently charges $450. Without the minimal increases being charged to insurance companies for our services, sooner or later it will be a cost to the taxpayers to offset the difference in revenue currently collected by the city.
As it was explained to the governing body and the public recently in our department year-end report, our department is considered the busiest in the county for its size, area covered, and demographics, which are very unique at times. Our members also perform a variety of duties and responsibilities within the fire department considering our size and membership. We continue to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, fire safety inspections, rescue technician services (which include rope and water rescue, confined space and hazardous materials responses) and emergency management responsibilities. Also some members are local and state instructors in the fire service, not to mention some are members of local and state technical rescue teams.
We would like to make it perfectly clear to Wildwood city commissioners that any further reduction in staffing of firefighters will result in a reduction in the safety provided to the residents, their homes, businesses and visitors to this great city of ours.
We feel that the City of Wildwood should come to some sort of reasonable agreement with the Wildwood Fire Department to avoid lay offs, demotions, as well as staffing levels throughout our department so we can continue to provide a level of protection that the City of Wildwood residents, visitors, and businesses alike deserve.
CHRIS D’AMICO
Wildwood
(ED. NOTE: The author is vice president, FMBA No. 50)