Lockport NY

The city is still trying to replace a 1987 pumper and a grant is helping it along.

During the budget process a couple years back council members were questioning if a cheaper (and or smaller) one was available. While it may seem nice to have the biggest toy on the block, the fire department and their requests heavily reflect our infrastructure. Throughout the country a lot of residents find themselves up against fire departments and their excessive road width requirements. This can be accomplished by requiring new larger road widths (ever seen the excessive size of some cul-de-sacs?), banning parking on certain streets etc.

The attempt to shorten response times by making it easier to maneuver large equipment. It is a noble thought but not without other implications. This ends up putting fire rescue times over injury prevention. Wider streets are statistically tied to an increased number of accidents and their severity due to higher speeds and overall lack of attention. Increased street widths also make it harder for pedestrians to cross safely. Many more people are injured in these automobile related accidents than in fires. Seeing that a fire department has to respond to both, the onus should be put on prevention.

Buy a properly sized truck to move through the city efficiently while preserving street structures that reduce accidents in the first place.