Pay Attention

March 15, 2002

I'm writing this letter in hopes that all Westporter's will pay attention. The closing of Green's Farms firehouse is about to affect all of us townwide. Chief Rick Gough of the Westport Fire Dept. has stated that the reason the town wants to close Green's Farms Firehouse is so he will be able to put three firemen on each engine at the remaining two outstations Coleytown and Saugatuck Firehouses. This is all due to the town only allowing him to hire four firefighters instead of the requested 16. Green's Farms for years has always responded to the highest volume of calls. Engine No. 5 responded to more than 1,000 calls last year alone. OSHA has new regulations that the chief is trying to meet. The regulations are four men per truck, or on the scene, before they can enter a building "two men in, two men out. By putting three men on a truck we still do not meet OSHA's requirements. Isn't it better the way it is presently? When Engine No. 5 and outstations are dispatched they are backed up by headquarters? You not only get the four men but an extra piece of equipment too.

To the residents of Green's Farms ... if the firehouse is closed it will take an additional four to five-plus minutes to get to your home if you live on Beachside Avenue, Westway Road, and upper Green's Farms Road areas. That's on a good day. This goes for any emergency calls you might dial 911 for. To the parents in Green's Farms and Westport ... whose children attend Green's Farms Academy, Long Lots and Green's Farms Elem., Learning Community and Staples, these schools are first responded to by Engine Five and backed up by headquarters. Do you want a longer response time? Who is covering the schools in your area if the other stations are now going to cover the 1,000 calls Green's Farms covered?

To the taxpayers of Westport .... we paid approximately $400,000 for renovations, a new fire engine and new generator only to end up closing Green's Farms and having Engine Five become a spare when they just upgraded the spare at headquarters. To have Green's Farms become a "storage barn" or another well-kept Westport building and eye sore. For how many years to come? As many Americans have learned only recently, there is a bond that is formed in every fire department; it lasts a lifetime. Unless it is their choice, I can't understand how splitting up the firefighters from Green's Farms is a good thing, Some have been together for years. This is their territory. They're familiar with the area and know the streets. A very important aspect that makes for quicker response time.

I have always felt that the residents of Westport have been very lucky. To have a top of the line, best in the state emergency response team. Team meaning (Police, EMS, and Fire Department). From the moment you dial 911 you are never alone. In responding to your call no matter what the situation, they all come together as a team The way the town is divided with three outstations we have always had the maximum coverage in town no matter what the emergency.

It is in the interest of all Westporters to support the Westport Fire Department. We were told once this station is closed it will not re-open. There is a lot more behind this. We were told money is not the issue. Write to our First Selectwoman, RTM and Finance Board Members. Ask them to find the funds for more manpower and not to close Green's Farms Firehouse. Westport has basically the same amount of equipment as in the '60s and '70s. We should be adding equipment and manpower not taking it away.

Whatever their decision, remember it's minutes that might someday count for the life of someone who lives, works, and goes to school in Green's Farms Engine 5's district.

I would like to thank firefighters Jim Meyers and Nat Gibbons for not only protecting us every day, along with your fellow firefighters, but also standing up for what you believe in -- not closing Green's Farms Firehouse.

Kathy Acquino Nixon, Westport