It cost money to run the fire service. Things are expensive in the fire and rescue world. Fire apparatus is no longer 100's of thousands of dollars but a million plus. Our equipment and tools are expensive, a set of turnout gear is $5500, and our training continues to cost more and more, because we are asked to do more and more.

When a citizen calls 911, they expect a well-trained well outfitted professional group of people getting off the apparatus, be you career or volunteer this is what the public expects. Not only is it our responsibility to give them that, but it is our job to continually educate the politicians, so they understand why our budgets increase every year.

Force the politicians to meet you on your turf. show them what you are required to do, then literally put them in our shoes and put them through the paces of firefighting.

Open your fire stations to the public so they see what you do and why it is so important for them to donate.

Don't let the political figures cut our budgets hold their feet to the fire and be vocal to your needs.