Greenwood only has one building that is tall enough why would they want to spend a couple of hundred thousand on protection for one building. This is ridiculous. Just like they had to spend 50,000 dollars on a chiefs vehicle. My question is WHY!!!!!!!!!!

I see your point Greenwood bs. I think they are spending way to much money on useless thinks. I heard that they bought badges for all there firefighters. I guess they can play the part know. LOL.

Greenwood bs: The answer to your question is because the citizens voted for a sales tax increase and part of that tax increase is for the fire department. It can be used only for the fire department and nothing else. A ladder ruck for couple of hundred thousand dollars would be a great deal.....try anywhere from $750,00 -$950,000 for the ones the chief wants.

Folks please, please, get your facts right! The TAX was passed for a FULL TIME fire department. The City of Greenwood received a grant for around 8-9 hundred thousand dollars to fund a FULL TIME Fire Dept. Campbell wanted the grant, Edwards didn't except the grant, thus we get Chief Stewart and now he has tax money and wants to buy exquipment for a one man fire department. As far as the ladder truck, yes we need one. I can name multiple 2 or 3 story buildings in town and one is where my children spend most of the day...GHS! Plus I know lots of people who live in 2 story houses that would love to see a ladder truck. It's time to stop bickering about things you do not know to the whole story about and concentrate on the things you do know about. Attend a Council Meeting once in a while. Please!

And what qualifications does are wonderful chief Stewart have. I voted for the tax and I am very disapointed on how they have been using it. The facts are we need to look at used equipment instead of brand new stuff and that is something Chief Stewart will not have. I have a friend that just went through the E.M.T class with him and he said he was so tired of hearing him brag of what they were going to buy next and that a used truck even though would save the tax payers alot of money would not work. I think he has been hanging out with the mayor to much. Oh by the way I do attend alot of the so called council meetings. I also think it is a very big conflict of interest to be a member of the city council and on the fire department.

I agree with Bulldog fan. The equipment is needed, but I also agree with Greenwood bs. The "Chief" is not a qualified fire fighter. I know he probably kin to the Mayor or something, but that doesn't make him qualified to be a Fire chief. So, they probably don't need "new" equipment, but i still think the city has an obligation to be able to fight fires in two story buildings. What did he do before becoming the Fire Chief i wonder? Does anyone know?

I dont have a problem purchasing a truck that they can use but have to object on a 50,000 dollar chiefs vehicle. Why does a small town like Greenwood purchase a chief a car that expensive. I

This is so simple.
We need the ladder truck but in no way do we need a new one. 100K will get us a nice truck. We need a combination rescue / brush truck with equipment - price tag 175K. We need a tanker for water supply. A good used tanker might cost you 55K. Why not a new tanker? It just holds water people. The fire dept. needs about 35K in safer, updated or non-existent equipment.
You can do alot more good for our fire department and safety for the 365K I just proposed rather than a million dollars on a ladder truck the chief(I say that word lightly), wants.
One more note. are you aware that we would get better insurance ratings putting a $500 cutting torch set in each truck than we do having a full time chief.
In other words we don't need a full time chief. Especially one that can't pass the certified fire chief test, even after 14 months on the job. The chief gets to work by 9:00, plays on the computer, goes to lunch, takes his afternoon nap and goes home in his fancy little truck Kenny bought him in return for his loyalty. What a joke!

two comments;

1) truck and equipment ideas are pretty darn good. Better firefighting capabilities, more safety for firemen, more safety for home owners.

Is the tanker for low water areas like the Hill addition?

2) If our fire chief cannot be certified, are we looking at a lawsuit down the road? Cutting torchs don't need a fancy little red truck, a captain kangaroo outfit, or pay raises.

This fire department spends money like water.

Can you not get a tanker through the DOD program? how much money would that save the citizens? I am all for better equipment but think we need to be smart on what is purchased. I really think the chiefs vehicle was a joke and a complete waste of tax payer money.

Ask the Chief who passed the state exam for the EMT class he and others attended. I heard it was one out of the five he sent, included himself, that passed. That would be Rod Powell. Yes I have heard the Chief failed the class. How does that happen?

Paul wrote:

Ask the Chief who passed the state exam for the EMT class he and others attended. I heard it was one out of the five he sent, included himself, that passed. That would be Rod Powell. Yes I have heard the Chief failed the class. How does that happen?

Paul, are you saying the chief or Rod Powell failed the class? Please clarify

Great point "Make it Simple", that would leave more money for equipment we for the firemen to protect us and them.

Sorry I missed that one.

I have to say that the E.M.T National registry is a very difficult test. The test does not see a pretty new chief vehicles nor does it see pretty uniforms and badges. You have to know the material. I think the issue with the chief not passing is he didnt put out the effort. I really like the article in the paper where they said they could offer a service they have not been able to offer "E.M.T" before and only one passed the national registry. Did the city pay for them to attend? As a citizen I think that was money wasted. I like the idea of the department getting better equipment and better training but feel that they are more interested in looks than needs.

I'm sorry if it was not clear. According to department personnel, Rod Powell was the only one that passed the test. This came from someone inside the department. Yes the Chief failed the EMT test. Is this someone you want leading the whole department? The only thig he has shown is he can spend money. They sure will look good not knowing what they are doing though. New pagers, uniforms, ladder trucks, etc. I wish I could attend the council meeting!

Thanks for the info Paul. THE FIRE CHIEF NEEDS TO RESIGN OR WE NEED TO CALL OUR COUNCILMEN AND DEMAND IT!!!!!!!!!!

I guess you must add that he is a fire chief that has never been to the fire academy. This is my opinion but, I don't believe he could pass the fire academy. How can you be a chief, lead and demonstrate fire fighting skills, and never attend a fire academy. How can you demand the respect of your people if you have not attended the fire academy as a FULL TIME fireman? What gives?

Lets fire him and he can run for mayor!!!!That I belive he is qualified for.

A ladder truck could be used a an asset but Greenwood is NOT the FDNY, FSFD or like any other big city FD. Greenwood may have 10,000 people on a good count not 350,000 people. I would be surprised if you could buy a ladder truck like SB wants for $950,000 dollars. You buy a truck that big that flows that much water you could be looking a spending over a million dollars easy. If the city did get one why not look at a 75' tower used but in good condition. It would handle any thing that Greenwood could throw at it. Ive heard rumors of possibly a 105' platform. THAT IS NOT NESSISARY! Why not use the nice engines they have and if their is a fire at the law firm or the bulldog arena use the standpipes or tie into sprinklers provided by commercial building codes. Spend money responsibly!

But they have to have the best.