Let’s all support a fire district

The wheels are in motion for the creation of a Custer Fire Protection District, something that frankly should have happened a long time ago. But, as the saying goes, better late than never, and the Custer County Commission, with the help of some local volunteers, have begun the work in earnest that will guarantee someone answers the call when a fire breaks out within the confines of the district.
This fire district should not be confused with the fire protection area that already exists. That area is simply boundaries on a map that the Custer Volunteer Fire Department has as its “area” it covers, although it frequently travels outside that area to provide mutual aid to departments requesting help. Rather, this new district will set up a taxing district, the residents of which, if the district is approved, will pay an additional tax to fund the district. It’s a model that has proven to work all across the county, and locally in Hermosa and Fairburn. The Fairburn Volunteer Fire Department has long had a fire district, and the Hermosa, Hayward and Keystone fire departments all joined forces a few years ago to form the Battle Mountain Fire District. With funds raised from the new tax full-time firefighters were hired, which ensured much faster response times when an emergency strikes.
There was a time many years ago when every business owner on Main Street and seemingly half the men in town were members of the volunteer fire department. Those days are long gone. The volunteers in departments continue to dwindle for a variety of reasons that we covered in an editorial a couple of weeks ago. As such, volunteer departments are getting smaller and smaller and are also aging. For some departments, everyone who gets on a truck to answer a call has gray hair. These volunteers are noble and have our utmost respect, but it’s a model that has become unsustainable.
It’s important to note that creating a fire district won’t make volunteer firefighters go away. Rather, full-time firefighters who are hired will supplement a department, ensuring someone answers the call and does so in a timely manner. The Custer County Commission chairman has mentioned frequently the Battle Creek Fire Department now has trucks out the door within two minutes when a call comes. Prior to that, it could be seven to 10 minutes or even longer, and even then it may be one person. When emergency strikes, every second counts. A fire district helps improve the odds of a positive outcome by making the response happen that much more quickly.
In the coming weeks the commission and members of the Custer Volunteer Fire Department will work hard to inform the public exactly what forming a fire district will mean. We encourage everyone to get involved, and more importantly, get informed.
No one likes paying another tax. We get it. But consider this tax a necessary evil, one that could some day save your home, or even your life. Without a district, the time is coming when a fire call comes in and there is no one to respond. We are very much in favor of a district, and urge  you to support it as well.