Emergency services, now disturbingly given over to private equity

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Do you have a personal view on the matter?

Other than posting the same article in about 6 other forums? Perhaps not.

I'll give it a shot, though. The problem with privatizing a public service (fire, ambulance, police, prisons) is that the theoretical basis for the service changes. It becomes about saving money and least cost methods instead of actually providing the service. Sure, costs and budgets have to be considered, but the point of having the service in the first place is providing the service.

I frequently hear that this or that public service should be run like a big business, to which my general response is: have you ever worked for a large company? They are not efficient. They waste time and money just like the public sector, they just do it in other ways. But they are responsible to the Board! Yes, and they load the Board of Directors with cronies who generally rubber stamp whatever they are doing.

Contemplate the service you get from, say, Comcast. My local DMV, while it can be crowded, is FAR more efficient and responsive. Plus they don't tend to hang up on me and out source the technical departments to other countries.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by leastprime

StealthRabbit, Are you ever Home to worry about such things?

$14,400 per yr in property taxes gives me a lot to worry about, whether home (USA) or abroad (outside USA so I can get healthcare for ill spouse)

USA community or government services does not give me much confidence when they can't provide healthcare or fire protection services / ems whioe reaping oodles of dollars in taxes and monthly payments.

When my house sitter needs a fire dept, they are instructed to tell 911 that local FD should NOT disallow 'mutual aid' from neighboring district. (Which the local incident commander will refuse to allow). 'Politics' / infighting of local USA fire districts cause lots of death and destruction.

BIG important Personalities at risk.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Does that really look like a solution to you? To me, it looks like a college student's wet dream and a colossal waste of money.

Super tankers are being successfully used by fire departments all over the country. You were the one complaining that the current tankers in use can’t carry enough water. This is the solution.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

Super tankers are being successfully used by fire departments all over the country. You were the one complaining that the current tankers in use can’t carry enough water. This is the solution.

Remember, only you can prevent forest fires.