|
|
|
-
Station 11 was opened in March 2010 to serve one of Salem’s highest areas of growth.
-
West Salem residents passed the 2008 bond measure with 77% voter approval that included Station 11.
-
Station 11 was added to serve a growing call volume in West Salem. Location of fire stations for optimum coverage takes into account Street patterns, traffic volumes, railroad lines, time of day, topography, etc…
-
Station 11 houses a fire engine, the state regional hazardous materials response team and a reserve ambulance.
-
Staffing of Station 11 is proposed to go from 24hours/day 7 days/wk. to staffing of four days a week with no service between 6:00 pm and 8:00 am daily and no service three days a week. This decrease in staffing is tentatively scheduled to start on January 30th, 2012.
-
The proposed cuts over the next year would result in decreasing personnel to pre-1975 staffing levels. During that same time period call volume increased over 136%.
-
FY 2010/2011 is currently $11-13K under budget. Salem Fire Department has been asked for additional cuts out of this budget cycle.
-
City of Salem currently has over $17 million in reserve and carry over funds.
-
The Salem City Council adopted an emergency response time goal of 5.5 minutes. Closing station 11 would increase response times.
-
According to the 2011 Salem Fire Standards of Coverage “West Salem is predominantly single-family neighborhoods. This area is quite hilly, contributing to slower response speeds and less than ideal street interconnectivity, both of which affect response time performance.”
-
According to the 2007 City of Salem Standards of Coverage “Improved performance will require the addition of fire stations and response units. The demand for service exceeds current capabilities. More units must be positioned in more locations in order for service to be delivered at target levels.”
-
Industry standards and OSHA regulations require a minimum of four personnel to be on scene to conduct interior firefighting operations. Closure of Station 11 will require an engine company response from across the Willamette River to conduct interior firefighting operations.
-
Adequate personnel and equipment must respond to increase survival rates and decrease property damage. Elimination of E11 will have a direct impact on both.
-
Heart attack survival chances fall by 7-10% for every minute between collapse and defibrillation. Brain death occurs at 4-6 minutes.
-
Structure fires more than double in size and severity every minute, increasing the risk to the citizens and their property.
-
Reduction in hours, or the closure, of Station 11 dramatically decreases safety to the citizens and increases the danger to firefighters.
|
|
|
