Medina firefighters’ union says Village Board has mismanaged fire hall addition, new ladder truck causing delays and increased costs
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina ladder truck from 1996 is shown in March 2023 when the fire department had an open house showing the tight quarters at the fire hall, especially for the ladder truck which only has 2 inches of clearance in pulling in and out of the fire hall.
Editor:
For far too long, your Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161 have remained silent over the numerous issues that have plagued the village and subsequently the fire department.
After the recent Village Board meeting on February 10th, we can no longer sit idly by while the Board’s inadequate preparation and poor execution of ill-conceived plans have put the public and firefighters at risk.
The lack of foresight and procrastination in planning for the inevitable costs associated with operating the fire department has culminated in many necessary, crucial
projects to be at the breaking point at the same time. The current situation we are in is a direct result of the poor planning and mismanagement of village resources and finances by the Board.
The lack of foresight and proper financial planning has led to a situation where multiple critical infrastructure and equipment needs are converging at once, pushing our department to a breaking point.
The following concerns must be addressed immediately:
1. Long-term planning ignored:
This poor planning and mismanagement dates back half a decade to Aug. 19, 2020, when a six-year plan was presented to the Board by Chief Jackson. That plan included needed upgrades to the Fire Station and equipment. On Oct. 25, 2021, Chief Jackson presented at a public hearing the needs of the Fire Department in replacing the 1996 Ladder Truck and upgrading the 1930’s-built building.
Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, and key elements of the plan remain unaddressed.
2. Inadequate Firehouse Facilities:
In November 2022, the Board was presented with a plan for a two-bay addition and crucial structural repairs to our current dilapidated firehouse, which was built in the 1930s for the DPW. This plan called for $4.5 million for the fire station and $1.5 million for the Village Office.
On Aug. 14, 2023, the Board voted to seek bonds up to $5.6 million for the firehouse. On Aug. 24, 2023, revised plans were received with an increased estimate of $6.4 million, with $1.1 million allocated for repairs and $5.3 million for the addition. Due to a long delay in the original quote and proposing a bond vote, the price of the project increased and the Board felt it was too costly.
The revised plan (that has not been approved) now includes only one apparatus bay and a bathroom, failing to address critical repairs to the existing facility at a cost of $1.04 million. This is wholly inadequate and does not meet the operational needs of our department.
For nearly a decade, $31,200 has been spent on two different engineering firms for multiple sets of plans, both of which were denied or ignored by the village Board. In addition, $20,000 was spent on purchasing the lot west of the village offices for proposed expansion (that was part of the original expansion plan for the Fire Department). While there may have been cause to change engineering firms and start the process all over again, the question is, why did it take so long?
3. Delayed and Costly Procurement of a New Ladder Truck:
The need for a new ladder truck was identified years ago, with an initial projected cost of $1.3 million in 2021. Due to the Board’s delay, a second request was made on June 26, 2023, at an approximate cost of $1.7 million, up $400,000.
The failure to act sooner has resulted in an increased financial burden on the village, ultimately costing taxpayers more while continuing to put firefighters at risk.
4. Severe Safety Risks Posed by the Current Ladder Truck Presented at the Last Meeting:
The existing 1996 ladder truck presents serious and unpredictable hazards, including:
- An electrical fire near the batteries during a response on December 10, 2021, exposing firefighters to toxic smoke,
- A brake drum failure on November 25, 2023, while the truck was in motion, posing a life-threatening risk to both firefighters and the public,
- Numerous other mechanical and electrical failures that jeopardize the safety of our crews and the public daily.
This vehicle is essential for fire suppression, search and rescue, technical rescue, and firefighter assist and search team operations (utilized for rescuing trapped or injured firefighters). It serves not only our village but also supports neighboring departments in emergencies.
The decisions made by this Board directly impact the safety of our community and those sworn to protect it. We urge the Board to take immediate action. We implore the Board to expedite the necessary funding and repairs for our firehouse to ensure a safe and functional working environment. We invoke the Board to provide a clear, sustainable plan for equipment procurement that prevents unnecessary cost increases and safety risks.
The time for hesitation has passed. We call on the Village Board to prioritize these urgent needs and work collaboratively with the fire department to implement solutions that safeguard our community.
The next Medina Village Board meeting is on Feb. 24 at The Ridgeway Town Hall at 6 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Members of the Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161
(The union’s leadership includes Stephen Miller, president; Timothy Miller, vice president; Andrew Cheverie, secretary; and Chris Seefeldt, treasurer.)
Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this day right… TOGETHER!!!
