Private fire companies?

[KBCraig]

Found this article in the Union Leader. Are there other towns where fire protection is provided by a private company?

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Fire+firm+says+town+ignoring+contract&articleId=8d742c57-2cc4-4ea5-8624-fddbe3fd49ec

Fire firm says town ignoring contract

By ROGER AMSDEN
Union Leader Correspondent

Barnstead ? A private fire-rescue company that operates the Barnstead Fire Department is going to court to get money it claims the town is obligated to pay.

Nicholas C. Rott, president of Barnstead Fire-Rescue, says selectmen have failed to pay the quarterly invoice submitted in April and in the process have compromised the ability of the organization to provide fire and rescue services.

The BFR has been providing services to the town since 1996, he said, and only voters can change the terms of the contract.

Rott said selectmen, who failed win voter approval for proposed changes this year, are trying to unilaterally alter the relationship between BFR and the town. He said an April 10 letter from selectmen implied that BFR would not receive further funding from the town unless it agreed to the changes.

Rott said that after voters rejected the warrant articles proposed by selectmen at the March town meeting, they approved formation of a study committee to make fire department recommendations at next year?s town meeting.

That action constituted, he said, ?a strong expression of support for continuing the present system at least through the 2007 Town meeting.?

Selectman Gordon Preston, who has not yet seen the lawsuit, declined to comment on specifics but said selectmen have been holding discussions with BFR since last fall.

?We?re not sure whether it?s a legal entity or not,? said Preston, who questions whether BFR as a private company should be able to insure its vehicles through the New Hampshire Municipal Association or to apply for federal grants designated for communities.

[Lex]

Doesn't look like it's a private company. At least it doesn't function like one.

[citizen_142002]

There are a lot of private ambulance services in NH. There's Diluzzio in Keene. I'm not aware of private fire companies. Most fire departments in the state are volunteer.

FYI Keene Fire has not been too happy with what the city council has been doing of late. Many of them didn't want to move to a new fire station, but the council decided they "needed" one. Not only are firefighters not allowed to smoke in the station, or while they're on duty (even outside), they cannot smoke while wearing anything that says Keene Fire Dept., or in their private vehicles if they have Keene fire stickers.

I heard all this through the grapevine, so it's second hand information.

[aries]

A lot of towns and cities in America lease the services of a private EMS service, even in Massachusetts.

Sometimes the service takes a yearly payment from town residents, usually around $100 as a type of insurance for the service, other times they are contracted by the town.

It's really no different than private waste removal. I know Wayno's covers most homes in Whitefield and Lancaster (doing waste removal).

[KBCraig]

I know that there are lots of private ambulance services. We have private ambulances here.

Perhaps I'm being thrown off by the name "Barnstead Fire-Rescue". Are they an ambulance company, or an actual fire-fighting and rescue organization?

Kevin

[aries]

I know that there are lots of private ambulance services. We have private ambulances here.

Perhaps I'm being thrown off by the name "Barnstead Fire-Rescue". Are they an ambulance company, or an actual fire-fighting and rescue organization?

Kevin

Both. They are the guys with the trucks, and the ones that use them.

[citizen_142002]

I know Keene Fire operates at least one ambulance and in addition dispatch often tones for the private company, Diluzzio's is ironically enough also a funeral home.

I know Golden Cross serves the Lebanon area, and they handle medical as well as rescue situations.

I have a feeling that their are laws that would hinder the development of or at least usefullness of a private fire fighting company, but I've never heard anything specific.