Elliminate DNR firefighters/aircraft
I suggest that you elliminate or greatly reduce the DNR firefighters and use private sector fire contractors instead. Although the per hour rate for the fire contractors may be higher than the hourly rate for state employees, however the savings are generated by the following. 1. The contractor obsorbs the entire cost of training, equiping, workers comp, and purchasing the vehicles for fire fighting. These are all costs ...more »
I suggest that you elliminate or greatly reduce the DNR firefighters and use private sector fire contractors instead. Although the per hour rate for the fire contractors may be higher than the hourly rate for state employees, however the savings are generated by the following. 1. The contractor obsorbs the entire cost of training, equiping, workers comp, and purchasing the vehicles for fire fighting. These are all costs that need to be included in the State's cost for firefighters., but I don't believe are included when computing the hourly cost of state employees verses private sector employees 2. Use the closest fire resource such as qualified contractors, instead of paying fire departments to respond all over the state under the Mobilization Act. Some of these fire departments get paid 24 hours a day from the time they leave their station until they return, including while sleeping in fire camp. Contractors only get paid while actually working, not while sleeping. The Mobilization Act should be used only after all available contractor resources have been utilized., not before contractors are used. Some fire departments have set up a business model relying on mobilization money, yet competing using taxpayer dollars against the private sector. 3 Elliminate DNR's fire helicopters/aircraft and replace with contracted aviation resources. The Federal government has ellilminated most of their owned aviation fleet and contracts for helicopters and air tankers. The annual cost of maintaining the DNR aerial fleet includes pilots, maintenance personnel, etc and is very expensive. It is the year round expenses that the State must pay.
Seasonally contracted helicopters and aircraft can provide the same level of service as a State owned/operated fleet. The same is true for firefhghters, especially since our fire season in Washington is only 3 to 4 months long.
These suggestions are from a former fire chief and wildland firefigher. I am not a contract firefighter and have no business connection with the contracting industry. I'm happy to discuss these with staff at any time.
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