Congrats Patchin!

[slitter]

I talked to my son yesterday and it sounds like Patchin is starting to really get their act together for the first time in quite a while. Chief Joe is weeding out the trouble makers and cutting their budget to save them money. Maybe the clouds are finally starting to part and the sun is starting to shine, Congrats to you all!

[WNYresident]

Just curious.

What part of the budget for a volunteer firehall can one cut?

Do they budget basic maintenance items each quarter?

Equipment purchases as new items come on the market?

etc...?

[slitter]

I didnt mean that he was cutting the whole budget, just what he can control. He is the chief and conrols what gets spent Firematically. Apparently he cut his own budget by quite a hefty sum and is eliminating spending anything that is not necessary to help rebuild their past overspending. Better mainenance means less major repairs, getting longer use out of current tools and equipment means not replacing them, pushing for grants also helps keep costs down.

[boston]

Slitter your son must be wearing rose colored glasses. Chief Joe has been complaining he didn't get enough money in his budget. He even went and complained to the town supervisor that they wouldn't give him more money in his budget. Chief Joe hasn't cut his budget it was cut for him. Joe gave out a $300 helmet and an $80 jacket to Patchins top responder. I've talked to other fire companies and they give out gifts in the $50 range not $380. He also spent over $5,000 on tool mounting brackets out of a $13,000 budget. I wouldn't say he is cutting out unnecessary spending. Weeding out the trouble makers? There have been lots of rumors of underage drinking at Patchin the past few years and now there is a picture of 2 of Patchins underage members drinking and one is wearing a Patchin Fire Company coat. Also with the trouble makers I'm told a couple of Patchin members vandalized the Chief of Boston and the Chief of North Boston Fire companies personal vehicles. And these members are line officers in Patchin. The people that are supposed to be setting the example and leading the way.

[Frank Broughton]

Name one chief that does not complain to the supervisor for more money. That is part of the job!

[boston]

Frank I think it's part of the chiefs job to ask for more money at contract talks but I don't think the supervisor has any say or any control over how the fire company splits up the contract money to individual budgets in the fire company. IE chiefs budget, insurance payment, mortgage payments etc.