Fire Dept. Discussion Focuses On Efficiency

Fire Chief Tom Bogart went before Lynnfield Selectmen at their meeting this week to lay out his department's budget and capital needs for the coming fiscal year.

Bogart said that while much of the budget is essentially level-funded, there wil be some added costs for contractually required raises, educational incentives, professional development, and other related needs. The department will seek $8,128, said Bogart, to provide more training to the town's dispatchers in fire department terminolgy and procedures.

The chief also indicated that he would seek to use $33,000 from the ambulance enterprise account for a new heart monitor, rather than seeking $100,000 for three of them.

Also on the fire department's list of capital budget needs for FY 2013 are:

- $45,000 for a chief's vehicle
- $10,000 for personal protective equipment
- $20,000 for radios
- $22,000 for a digitizer
- $10,000 for a dispatch console"
- $6,000 for hose and nozzles

The selectmen took some time to ask Bogart about the overall efficiency of the department, and they questioned him pointedly on the request for a vehicle, which would be used by Assistant Chief John Walsh. Bogart defended the vehicle request, pointing out that Walsh would use it to respond to paramedic calls. "He is second in command of the fire department. I think it is a very good idea to make sure he has a vehicle," said Bogart, while Select Board Chair Arthur Bourque maintained that this had not been part of the initial plan.

During the discussion, Bourque also suggested it is "not to this board's liking" that Bogart has not made more changes since taking over from his predecessor. "When you come in looking for a $200,000 budget increase I think there needs to be some justification for it," said Bourque.

Selectman Al Merritt added that "the question is, are we operating as efficiently as we can?"

"I want this operation to be as efficient as it can be and I think it is," replied Bogart, maintaining that the town's current call system saves taxpayers considerable sums and that much of the requested funding increases would cover contractual requirements.

Later in the discussion, Bourque cited the need to "look at the system and see if we can provide a better way to provide the same level of services that won't cost the taxpayers additional money." He also told Bogart that "The only control this board has is to not give the budgetary means to do what you want to do."

"I want to run this operation as economically and efficiently as possible," said Bogart, "But we are making life and death calls... It's imperative to have what we need to provide this kind of service."