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FacebookHome > Blogs > Dayton area crime > Archives > 2008 > July > 15 > Entry
Diesel prices forcing fire department to change
(Interim Dayton Fire Chief Herbert Redden, right, and assistant Chief Michael Caudill are looking at ways the department can become more fuel efficient. Photo by Peter Wine)
Surging diesel fuel prices are eating away a larger-than-expected chunk of the Dayton Fire Department’s budget, forcing officials to reconsider decades-old response practices in an effort to save money.
Interim fire Chief Herbert Redden said he has to do something or the fire department’s financial budget will be a mess by the end of the year.
He said there have been preliminary discussions about changing his department’s response practices to the numerous false alarms at area businesses and residences in the city.
Current protocol is the department has to send a full crew to the scene; including at least one truck, two medics, the battalion chief and a few other vehicles.
Fire officials are now considering sending one vehicle to investigate the alarm to see if it is indeed a working fire, Redden said.
“If it is then we will send the cavalry,” he said. “If not, then we won’t.”
And those aren’t the only changes being made in protocol.
Why? Read more after the jump.
“We budgeted in 2007 for fuel to cost $3.50 a gallon,” Redden said. “We never thought it would reach the level it is today.”
At the end of Monday, July 14, diesel fuel cost an average of $4.76 a gallon across the country. Most of Dayton’s fire engines get between three and five miles to the gallon and the ladder trucks get even less, fire officials said.
The fire department is also considering fining businesses that continually have false alarms because they tie up equipment and personnel.
In some cases, firefighters have become used to false alarms at certain locations and don’t expect to fight fires.
That drives down morale and sharpness among firefighters, Redden said.
“We have to do something,” Redden said. “If fuel prices went down about 40 cents a gallon we might be OK, but I don’t think they are doing that anytime soon.”
Redden said orders have already been given not to leave engines and other vehicles idling while on the scene of a possible fire. He said the department has cut back on attending special events and parades in order to conserve fuel.
What do you think the fire department should do to conserve fuel and still help and protect Dayton residents?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Fire Department
Comments
By Bob Engleman
July 15, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Interim Chief Redden will send the bibical hill upon which Jesus died to a fire?By 4winston7
July 15, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Don’t send a truck and personnel to every vehicle accident. Even though they usually arrive long before police do, there’s no reason to waste money (time and fuel costs) for vehicle accidents unless they know for sure there’s a fire involved or anticipated. I was involved in an accident several years ago, with NO possibility of fire involved; yet, the truck and personnel were there (long before the police), with the truck idling, and stayed until everything was resolved, which wasn’t necessary. This practice is a huge waste.By Dave
July 15, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
This has been a question of mine for years. Why does a fire truck roll every time an ambulance is dispatched for a medical emergency? If I’m having a heart attack, I really don’t need a fire truck. Instead of holding back on actual fire alarms, why not save the fuel on medical emergencies that only require an ambulance?By nullthomas j.
July 15, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Adapt the Diesel engines so they can use used vegetable and other cooking oil. then collect it from various restaurants and have the maintenance dept. of the Fire Dept process itBy Danny
July 15, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Get real live accountants to do the budget, rather than these goobers. “We never dreamed that fuel prices would be this high” DOH!!! Read the paper.By concerned
July 15, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
How many Fire chiefs and city officials take their vehicles home at night? Do chiefs really need big SUV’s and does every city “big wig” require their own vehicle?By concerned
July 15, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Maybe a little public education into what an “emergency” actually is compared to calling 911 every time you’re nose runs for 3 days could be of use.By gary hockaday
July 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
3 to 5 mpg is unacceptable,your trucks should be capable to achieve 5 to 7,drivers need training in progressive shifting,idle management and shorter routes to locations,just a few practices can save 20%By Local fire fighter
July 15, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Dave- An engine crew is dispatched with a medic crew for manpower. You never know what you are going to encounter when you pull up on scene in a medical emergency. What if a 350 pound person is not mobile and is located on a second floor? It’s a reality that we all must face, balancing service by the fire dept. with rising fuel cost. This reduction in full apparatus response to every fire alarm is a step in the right direction. This strategy is being utilized across the nation to help cope with the skyrocketing cost of fuel, for inherently fuel inefficient vehicles.By andy
July 15, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I understand the need to bring the engine crew as manpower…but I don’t understand the need for the engine. Perhaps a Suburban would do the job?By gary h
July 15, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
why is the dept.paying 4.79 a gallon,52 cents is tax money,if they are paying it i would like to see the ifta fuel tax reports,By Reading comprehension 101
July 15, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Danny, Read the comment again: “We budgeted in 2007 for fuel to cost $3.50 a gallon,” Redden said. “We never thought it would reach the level it is today.” They did the 2008 budget in 2007. Just like every other business does. Did YOU know back in 2007 that diesel would be almost $5.00/gal in June 2008? I didn’t think so. I think they did a good job predicting the $3.50/gal. Reading is fundamental. A brain is a terrible thing to waste. Here is your brain on drugs. Just say no.By also concerned
July 15, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Regarding concerned’s comments, it is a bit galling to see the fire chief in line at you local drugstore on the Fourth of July buying cases of pop, out of uniform, and getting into his City FIRE SUV, probably filled with City-paid diesel.By Bob
July 15, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
After 3 false preventable alarms…the fire dept. should burn down the building to eliminate further false alarms.By Barry
July 15, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
now they know how the tax payers feel. I agree with the suggestions of a) not sending a big fire truck to every ambulance run there is. maybe a small pickup truck with a couple of guys will do. b) turn off the engine, once you get there turn the darn thing off, unless you need to keep the engine running to pump water or somethingBy Pat
July 15, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Legalize industrial hemp, grow it for the seeds, and use the oil from the seeds to fuel the cars. Farmers can grow at least 2 crops a year in this climate without pesticides and minimal fertilizers…By KYFirefighter
October 21, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
All of you guys don’t realize things are done for reasons…. We take fire trucks to EMS calls because if we need to use tools on the truck or need to make another response from that scene we dont have time to send back for it. Turn off the trucks at alarms thats great what happens when something happens a short or somethign and the truck won’t start back up. People i agree that things can be done different, but things that firefighters do are done for a reson done by protocol and executed in the best interest of the district in which they protect. I for one wouldnt want a fire truck pull up at my business and turn off the truck something happen and end having my office burn down because “Saving gas.” Please Be Considerate