Follow the Money: Where it Comes From and Where it Goes
The Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department contracts with the County of San Diego to provide fire and rescue service for County Service Area (CSA) 110, a 39-square mile area. In return, the County provides a small budget -$21,216 in fiscal 2000-2001. But hold on. Right off the top, the County takes back $6,800 in fees to administer the CSA. (Last year, the PMVFD assumed some administration duties, saving several thousand dollars.) Another $2,400 goes for dispatch fees. Then, there are the major fixed costs. Insurance in 2000-2001 is budgeted at $4,146. Another $1,920 will go for workers compensation insurance for firefighters. Only $5,950 is left for all other expenses, and they are substantial:
That's the good news. The bad news is what isn't covered by CSA funds: training, firefighter safety gear and any other maintenance or repair. It costs $2,000 to outfit each firefighter with protective gear ... and, an additional $2,000 for a breathing apparatus. Board fundraising and donations from community members must cover all of these costs, and any others that come up during the year. For this new fiscal year, the department requested and will receive from the board almost $6,000 in operating expenses So, where does that money come from?
The board's largest source of revenue is the annual barbecue and craft fair. Last year, this event netted $10,986, thanks in great part to the generous donations of several residents, which allowed us to reduce expenses substantially. Additional donations come in throughout the year from generous individuals.
Probably the most exciting footnote in PMVFD finances for the last or so is the department's success in securing $350,000 in grants. These have allowed us to two new vehicles, including a brand new fire engine expected to arrive around the end of the year, as well as other badly needed equipment. This remarkable achievement is the result of lengthy and devoted effort on the part of the department's officers and firefighter volunteers and the generous support of County Supervisor Bill Horn.
Despite this outstanding progress, however, we continue to have real and critical needs. The expensive firefighter gear mentioned above is only one concern. We very much need to replace our water tender and it would go a long way toward improving the insurance climate on the mountain if we could secure two water tenders. The new engine - designed to address specific mountain needs and splendid as it is - will arrive somewhat naked, if you will. Meaning that things like hoses, axes, nozzles, extinguishers, wrenches, chain saws, traffic control equipment, bolt cutters, radio chargers and a host of other items must be acquired before the truck can be declared fully operational. Since the older engines will remain in use to keep the highest level of fire protection and, hopefully, impact local insurance rates, cannibalizing equipment from these other engines is not an option.
We know that those who help themselves are helped and we are proud of what we have accomplished in that regard. Now we are asking for your help. We certainly hope you'll come to the barbecue and buy as many raffle tickets you can. But we also are asking you to consider another donation ... of whatever you can afford - every dollar counts! There is a coupon in this issue of Hot Notes to assist you. Thank you!
One other note: In addition to the training and on-call time put in by department officers and firefighters, your five board members also devote several hours every month to manage the business of the department. We are joined by a number of others throughout the year who help with master planning, fundraising and other events - especially the annual barbecue and craft fair. It all amounts to hundreds of hours.
And now, we - your friends and neighbors - have a special request of your time: Come to our annual meeting. Come and get to know us. Come and participate in our election of directors. Come and learn of the incredible achievements the department has made in the last year. Come and hear about our master plan and the latest on our new fire engine coming soon. Come with your questions. Come, even, with your complaints. This is your fire department. We are here to meet your expectations. And we want your participation.