John Procaccino of Princeton
Just a note to the people of Princeton about the fire fighting situation in our two towns: As you may know we have three firehouses manned by an all volunteer force; Engine Company No. 1 (Chestnut Street), Hook and Ladder (Harrison Street) and Engine Company No. 3 (Witherspoon Street). Recently, a decision has been made to house all the trucks and gear of the three fire companies at Engine Company No. 3 (Witherspoon Street). In addition, fire fighting personnel of the three companies will respond only to Engine Company No. 3. This is a bad idea.
The decision was taken to improve fire response times. In theory it sounds good — maybe there will be more volunteer firefighters if they all respond to calls at one firehouse. But we have to consider where those volunteers are rushing to. Engine Company No. 3 is half a block from Community Park Elementary School and Witherspoon Street is, at times of day, very congested. Having all firefighters in their own cars converging on this area could create a potentially dangerous situation for students and pedestrians. And not achieve the goal of reduced fire response times.
I have served with Engine Company No. 1 since 1983. There have been many changes in the administration of the Fire Department in the last few years. I now believe that the top four or five people in the department would like their positions to become paid, moving the two Princetons from over 200 years of a volunteer fire department. We will see fire fighting unions coming in to Princeton, staggering pay packages that paid firefighters command (along with health insurance and big pensions), and with only one firehouse across town, rising insurance ratings for homes, businesses and the university.
The chief called for two firehouses to close on April 15, now he is calling for a study to see if this policy will work. Most would do the study first, before making such a monumental move. The Princetons have had an excellent fire fighting service provided exclusively by volunteers. Hook and Ladder and Company No. 1 are steeped in tradition and history. When these firehouses are gone they’re gone forever and with them a history of voluntarism.
John Procaccino
Princeton
