Perhaps we could set up some sort of Firemans Patrol, where the fireman could patrol the streets to provide security, etc; We could make them auxiliary police.

They could take their equipment with them, and if there was a fire, they would be on there way **toot sweet** This would give us a better bang for our buck, as opposed to having them sitting in the station playing crib or ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Then we could reduce the ;police force by 5% and we would have a significant savings.

OOOOOOOOOOPs. Thinking outside the box again, that will never do.

Mr.Stolz......if the paving budget went up 6.5% there would be no rioting in the streets. Besides, you would break an ankle rioting on our streets.

Well we now have the internet doing what the police couldn't do so that should give the police a bit more snooze time. I understand they aren't answerable to any one not even god all mighty. In my next life I would like to be a police man in Canada--- Prince George will do.

The city has no control over negotiated increases in salaries and benefits? So who does? That seems odd to me. Anyone else wondering?

I am not wondering, Chester. We have a service contract with the RCMP. The officers are employees of the RCMP, not the City.

But Gus, the RCMP work for the City! So, it is kind of like "which came first, the chicken or the egg". It is time we stop playing these stupid games, and take back our Cities, Province, and Country!

Anybody up for it? If not, then deal with your bank account been robbed by these thugs!!

"But Gus, the RCMP work for the City!"

So does the contractor building the RCMP station in the sense that the contractor has a contract with the city.

But the workers for the contractor are not employed by the city. We really have no control over how much the contractor pays to his employees or to sub contractors.

So, no, the cheque the RCMP get are government of Canada cheques. The cheques the civilian employees working with the RCMP get are City cheques.

Firemen, on the other hand, are City employees. We have not privatized that yet. We have also not privatized snow removal yet. But hey, it is just 2012.

What the firemen need to do is stop chasing ambulances. That would reduce some of their operating cost. Ambulances are a provincial responsibility so why are we subsidizing that effort?
Cheers

BTW, an in-law of mine is a fireman witth decades of service in the Boston, USA, area and he gets about half as much pay as firemen in PG.

Not sure why there is such a big difference in pay for firemen in the USA and Canada. But, one cannot go there without expecting a lot of loud reaction.

So, bring it on. I think when push comes to shove with the cost of "essential" services and infrastructure maintenance/replacement, we have to face the fact and put a long term plan of action in place rather than ignoring the whole thing.

I understand that this is a huge problem in North America, and has been for decades. I think some European countries have faced the problem from day one and are working with it to the benefit of the country.

It is simply a cost of doing business. Any successful long lasting company does that and we pay for it through the price of their products and services. Why the governments can't work in that way is beyond me. They simply seem to be working on cash flow solutions.

Ooops .. get ready for socredible ... LOL

Firemen have the magic tool. Jaws of life.

It is the specialization of services.

Legal matters - RCMP

Fire services - Rescue from spaces

Human well being - ambulance.

I suspect we might not have a large enough team yet.

Religious services

Invoice prepartion

Anything else?

Oh ... mamagement ... when we get more than one service like that it is beyond me how come we do not have some sort of general service provider to coordinate it all.

Hey, I forgot about towing services and private legal services. And, of course, roads to handle gasoline, oil and other kinds of spills as well as glass cleanup.

This is a very complex process. ;-)

Besides, firemen are paid to be on call and there are not enough fires, so they get something else to do.

Actually "Retired 02" or Retarded, whatever, the firemen don't chase the ambulance. They are a first responder to provide critical life saving care often before the ambulance arrives. I don't know about you but I for one would like the assistance as soon as possible when faced with a life threatening situation. Climb down off your soapbox now.

"They are a first responder to provide critical life saving care often before the ambulance arrives"

Something does not fit here.

Firetruck = big, slow, difficult to weave through traffic.

Ambulance = much smaller, faster, easier to weave through traffic, trained to give medical aid, assess situation from a health point of view, have ability to provide medication, etc. etc.

So tell me, why is fire services involved in a residential call for suspected heart attack?

There are a number of fire hall located throughout the city, this helps facilitate a slightly quicker response at times. The province also under funds BCAS, so there are many times more calls than there are ambulances to respond to them right away.

Also fire trucks are more intimidating than an ambulance, people tend to get out of their way more quickly, which they don't do so often for ambulances (which is illegal and morally repugnant).

They are not dispatched to all calls but are sent based on call priority and resources available. Fire fighters are trained first responders and can often start care immediately if they arrive on the scene first. They can also assist paramedics with equipment, lifting, or other services. If there is a medical emergency, seconds count.

Fact is, if you are having a heart attack or a stroke at least 2 BCAS ambulances (Primary Care and Advanced Life Support) and fire/rescue are likely to respond. If you or a loved one is the one having the heart attack, that's exactly the kind of response you'd want.

Here here crazy legs, you hit the nail on the head. These whiners will complain about anything until they need the service and then you can't be there quick enough or have enough help. Think of the care provided "Gus" how fast do you want someone there to help you when you are in trouble? Do you know where the ambulance stations are? How about the fire halls? Give your head a shake!!!!!

Also "Gus" are you a fireman? Do you have any clue to the medical training they have? Maybe you should check this stuff out before you spout off.

Its strange, but the number of occasions I've called for an ambulance, fire gets there first. And that's great! The level of care in first response in this town is NUMBER 1! All very competent and professional! I appreciate the first rate service they both provide. And I see the experience both services are getting with each new call.

Just wondering..... ambulances are dispatched from Kamloops instead of our local 911 centre, right ? Does this have any effect on their response time ?

Yah, that's just the BC budget, two cans and a long string, slows 'em down a bit.