Palmer Events Center
Looks Like City Is Already Cutting Basic Services
RECEIVED Fri., March 6, 2009
Dear Editor,
Recently I read that Marc Ott withdrew his plan of cutting the number of members on firetrucks. In light of a fire that happened one house away from mine, it looks like they are already cutting services.
Recently I was alerted by a siren, and when I headed outside I saw one house whose garage was engulfed in flames, and the second house was just starting. Speaking to one couple who had been there since it started, they stated that a single truck had been trying to put out the first house for about a half-hour when the second started. It was frightening for me living so close to see this single truck run out of water and civilians having to jump in as they hooked up hoses to hydrants. I kept saying to myself, "Where are the other trucks to stop this?!"
I give high praise to the firefighters who were there. They were doing everything they could with what they had. The Statesman coverage stated that there was a 12-truck response and that when the Austin Fire Department arrived, both houses were engulfed. There was a 12-truck response, but it was after the fact. If the situation had been handled effectively initially, there would have been a completely different outcome. They wouldn’t have had to have a fleet of trucks come out, nor would the young couple who owned the second house have had to deal with this tragedy.
Recently I read that Marc Ott withdrew his plan of cutting the number of members on firetrucks. In light of a fire that happened one house away from mine, it looks like they are already cutting services.
Recently I was alerted by a siren, and when I headed outside I saw one house whose garage was engulfed in flames, and the second house was just starting. Speaking to one couple who had been there since it started, they stated that a single truck had been trying to put out the first house for about a half-hour when the second started. It was frightening for me living so close to see this single truck run out of water and civilians having to jump in as they hooked up hoses to hydrants. I kept saying to myself, "Where are the other trucks to stop this?!"
I give high praise to the firefighters who were there. They were doing everything they could with what they had. The Statesman coverage stated that there was a 12-truck response and that when the Austin Fire Department arrived, both houses were engulfed. There was a 12-truck response, but it was after the fact. If the situation had been handled effectively initially, there would have been a completely different outcome. They wouldn’t have had to have a fleet of trucks come out, nor would the young couple who owned the second house have had to deal with this tragedy.
Frank Anderson Jr.