Firefighters are firefighters
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
This letter is in response to recent statements to the press made by Alison Meslin that the Polson city firefighters may not be the best “ones to control the Rural District resources.” Although I am unclear what she thinks is being controlled, I feel it is important to clarify some misstatements.
Here are the facts: There are no Polson City Firefighters. There is no Polson City Fire company. There are only members of the Polson Fire Department. All Polson Fire Department members are also Polson Rural District Firefighters. The membership is comprised by a large majority of volunteers who live or work in the rural district. We do not draw distinction between “city” and “rural” members, as we are all firefighters working together on the same department, with the same goals in mind. When a call for help comes in from anywhere in the rural or city area, we all respond.
I have been responding to calls in all areas of the Polson Rural Fire District for six years. There are volunteers with over 20 years of experience responding to rural calls. These firefighters are now being labeled “city firefighters” so they can be separated politically and their contributions discounted.
As a member of the Polson Fire Department, I am personally insulted by Meslin’s allegations that I am only a “city” firefighter and that I do not have Rural District priorities in mind.
Why would she assume that I would not have the Rural District interests in mind when I am the one that actually provides the service? Ms. Meslin makes the statement that “volunteerism is down” yet continues to refuse to acknowledge that the majority of volunteer firefighters currently serving the Polson Rural Fire District, those that respond out of Polson Station #1, are, and always have been, rural firefighters.
It is these kinds of attitudes expressed by members of the board that have actually served to discourage people from wanting to become involved.
As firefighters, our primary interest is the ability to continue to provide quality fire and rescue response to all of the areas we protect.
Please vote for Beth Hoel and Steve Stanley on May 4 and bring about positive change for the Polson Rural Fire Board.
Jodi O’Sullivan
Polson
