CAN THEY PROTECT YOUR HOME?
Feb 21st, 2003
Just Vote NO!Opponents are forming a new city in west Mobile. The possibility of a successful incorporation is frightening because of too many unanswered questions. Incorporation will affect family safety and well being.
For example, opponents of incorporation want to know what will happen if their home burns. Will this proposed new city fire department have the manpower and equipment to put out the fire? "NO," says No New City committee chairmans Jim Bozonelos. "NO," says Mobile Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Dean.
Mobile Fire and Rescue Department currently serves most of the area selected for incorporation. For every 911 fire call, the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department sends three (3) engine companies, one (1) ladder unit and one (1) rescue truck along with a minimum of 14 firefighters including a district chief to put out the fire. For every 911 emergency medical call the City of Mobile sends an engine company along with specially trained fire medics aboard, a city ambulance to offer assistance to save loved ones and provide transportation to the hospital.
"My husband is alive today, thanks to the Mobile Fire Medics," said Brenda Bryant. "When Louis had a stroke at our home, I called 911." The Bryants live in an area targeted for incorporation. "Within minutes, the fire medics and fire engine were there and they went to work. I can't bear to think what would have happened to my husband without them. But if this incorporation passes, we will all be without them," Bryant says.
Mobile Fire and Rescue and police will stop providing protection and medical assistance to people who live in the proposed area for incorporation if the measure passes. State law prohibits them from crossing jurisdictional lines.
Bryant and others who oppose starting a new city want to know what fire and emergency medical services this proposed new city will have to offer. Incorporation supporters say they will build two (2) new fire stations. "How can only two (2) fire stations protect all the people who will live in the new city?" Bozonelos asks. "What happens if Wal-Mart Super Center catches on fire? All of the new city's resources will be tied up there without protection." And what about emergency medical services? Backers of incorporating say they will contract with ambulance companies. "How much will that cost the new city?" That is what No New City committee member Steve Bond wants to know. "I have many, many unanswered questions and concerns about what will happen to my family and my home if this incorporation vote passes," Bond says. He and other members of the No New City committee have asked these questions over and over again, but they have never received satisfactory answers. "If they don't know how they will provide adequate fire and medical protection - - much less where the money will come from to purchase fire trucks - - I can't imagine what will happen to us if they win next Tuesday," Bond says. "It's scary, really scary."