Save the New York Fire Patrol

Now because of a professional campaigners slur of the Fire Patrol, these proud and dedicated men will be out of a job because the New York Board of Fire Underwriters is no longer being provided with the money to fund this organization due to a vote by the Board of Directors and the Member Insurance Companies of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters.

Unless the New York Fire Patrol can be funded elsewhere or the Board of Directors and the Member Insurance companies of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters reconsiders their decision all 3 Fire Patrols will be closed. This is such a disservice to the great 5 boroughs of New York. New York has been short changed in so many ways and this is just another due to the political happenings in upper management throughout the Insurance Industry.

This decision by the Board of Directors and The Member Insurance Companies of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters is not only unjust to the dedicated men but unjust to the 5 boroughs of New York and those that live and work within the 5 boroughs. This is such a disservice to the great 5 boroughs of New York. New Yorkers have been short changed in so many ways by the closing of Fire Houses, the rising prices of insurance and the cost of living that now if there were to be a fire within your local food store or electronic store etc the men with red hats will not be there to protect the goods from being destroyed. The New York Fire Department does not have the man power to save people, put out the fire and then protect the property and the goods. No, that job is for the New York fire Patrol. Those who own the store pay for Fire Insurance. Due to the loss of goods that could have otherwise been saved from the water damage of the hoses putting out the fire or fire damage itself, or the water damage from the sprinklers, you now have to claim these goods as a loss. The more you claim the higher your premiums will go in the future. The insurance companies lose in the short term by having to pay out the money to cover the policy but in the long run the owner loses, the stores workers lose and the citizens of New York's 5 boroughs lose. The consumer who relied on the store now has to go elsewhere until the owner can reestablish his business or is forced to close down completely. There is a chain reaction and by closing the New York Fire Patrol, it will hurt many.

In the past the New York Fire Patrol has had many large and small saves from Art belonging to the Guigenheim Museum, property records belonging to the City of New York, most recently they responded to a 5 alarm fire in Soho where they worked for hours covering merchandise in Prada's store, covering art work in several of the occupants areas, as well as covering electrical Equip etc. Just this past week there was a fire in a residential home and the men responded by throwing covers over furniture and clothing. the protected pictures of loved ones and secured all they could from the damage the water would have caused otherwise. One of the biggest responses from Fire Patrol was they responded to the World Trade Center on September 11th. They lost one of their own Keith Roma a Patrolman with Fire Patrol #2. He was one of the first respondents at the Trade Center. We will never forget! These Patrolmen risk their lives doing a job they love. Whether they are under the fire, above, next to or in the fire they give all they have to protect what others value. This is their job. This is their career. This is their pbuttion. They have my utmost respect and I am so proud of them and what they do for the 5 boroughs of New York.

These men of the Fire Patrol have had a long standing dedication to their jobs. A dedication that is so rare to find now and days. The traditions that they maintain and live by is a testamentthat others should follow. Sadly there are those within the Member Insurance Companies that feel differently. They have listened to the Ad Hoc Group and ELANY and believed that what was done by upper management within the New York Board of Fire Underwriters was strong armed. The Ad Hoc Group and ELANY only gave half the story to the Members of the Insurance Companies when they did the buttessment of the New York Fire Patrol. The buttessment showed the Fire Patrol was a benifit to New Yorks 5 boroughs and it was stated that more Patrol Houses should open to better serve the boroughs. ELANY and the Ad Hoc Group failed to mention this important statement to those who have the power to vote.

While I do believe that there was strong arming of insurance companies to pay a 1% buttessment fee by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters management, I do not believe that it should be the dissolution of the New York Fire Patrol who has served our city with the utmost of professionalism and intergrity. While these companies that do not receive service from the Fire Patrol ie. Auto Insurer should not have to be required to pay this money the other agencies felt that they should not have to fund the Patrol either. While there are those within the Member Insurance Companies who believe that the Patrol is an buttet to their companies, New York's 5 boroughs and New Yorkers themselves they were out numbered by those who apposed the New York Board of Fire Underwriters buttessment fee of 1%. Many of these Member Insurance Companies did not realize that they were actually voting to disband the New York Fire Patrol.

I feel there could have been a better way and there is a better way. This does not have to be the end for the Fire Patrol. I believe that the managing of the buttessment fee could be regulated and fairly agreed upon. I ask then why are they losing their jobs when it is clear that there are no true issues pertaining to the Fire Patrol itself? Help Save the Fire Patrol. Help to get a re-vote or funding from another agency. Keep the New York Fire Patrol in service.

www.nybfu.org for information on the New York Fire Patrol

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