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As a captain of Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, I have the privilege of serving our community alongside a dedicated group of volunteers who consistently go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.
Their unwavering commitment, selflessness, and tireless efforts are the foundation of our fire departments, and it is an honor to work with such courageous individuals who embody the true spirit of service.
While our commitment is unwavering, the reality is that our resources are stretched thin. Ensuring the safety and well-being of the community is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. It is time for our community to explore a long-term solution to protect everyone: the creation of an Emergency Services District (ESD).
An ESD is a local government entity, created by voters, that provides stable funding for emergency services. From my perspective, the establishment of an ESD is a critical factor in safeguarding lives and ensuring public safety.
Here’s why this is crucial for us:
1. Increasing Demand for Services Our community is growing, and with that growth comes more homes, businesses, and people in need of protection. As communities expand, the demand for emergency services increases. The number of calls for service has risen significantly, but our resources— both personnel and equipment— haven’t kept pace.
An ESD helps ensure that resources grow alongside the community, ensuring firefighters have access to advanced equipment and tools designed to enhance efficiency and safety. Without the support of an ESD, overstretched departments may struggle to keep up with these growing demands, resulting in delayed or diminished service when it matters most.
2. Equipment and Training Needs Firefighting and emergency response require specialized training and equipment, both of which are expensive and continually rising in cost due to inflation, advancements in technology, and the increasing demands of modern emergency services.
Proper maintenance of this equipment is equally critical, as poorly maintained apparatus can fail during emergencies, jeopardizing lives and property. Many of our vehicles and tools are aging and replacing them relies on limited budgets and donations. An ESD would provide consistent funding to ensure we have the tools and training necessary to respond effectively.
Without this support, departments may struggle to meet standards that are essential for ensuring the safety of both responders and the public, putting lives at risk.
3. Supporting Our Volunteers While our departments are volunteer based, the costs of operating them are far from free. From maintaining vehicles to purchasing protective gear and equipment, these expenses add up quickly. ESDs can provide the financial support needed, ensuring volunteers have the tools and resources they need to operate effectively.
Reliable funding from an ESD would relieve the financial burden and allow us to focus on what we do best: serving our community.
4. Standardized Operations and Accountability An ESD provides a centralized structure for emergency services, ensuring standardized operations across a district. ESDs are overseen by a Board of five Commissioners, appointed to two-year terms by the County Commissioners Court, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial and operational decisions, which helps build and maintain public trust.
We can’t fully finalize some plans without the approval of the ESD, because the ESD board—once created—will be responsible for many of those decisions. That said, all 10 departments in Colorado County do have a clear vision and framework ready to move forward once the ESD is in place.
Our focus right now is on laying the groundwork and ensuring that we’re set up for success.
5. Enhanced Community Safety Ultimately, the purpose of an ESD is to improve public safety. By investing in prevention programs, fire education, and community outreach, ESDs help reduce the number and severity of emergencies.
As a firefighter that is a big advocate for public relations, I see firsthand how these initiatives save lives and protect property. Investing in an ESD is an investment in the safety and security of our families, homes, and businesses. It’s a way for our community to take proactive steps to ensure we’re prepared for whatever challenges come our way.
An Emergency Services District is not just a funding mechanism; it is a lifeline for both firefighters and the communities we serve. It’s about ensuring that your fire departments have the resources they need to protect the community we all love while ensuring the safety of those on the front lines. ESDs play a crucial role in supporting this mission by providing consistent funding, resources, and organizational structure for emergency services.
It’s about proactively investing in the security and well-being of the community, rather than waiting until resources are strained or unavailable. By the time the strain is felt, it may already be too late to react effectively, putting lives and property at unnecessary risk.
As your local fire department captain, I urge you to learn more about the benefits of an ESD and consider supporting its formation for Colorado County. I’d be happy to address specific concerns or explain further how this benefits you and the community overall. Together, we can build a stronger, safer future for Colorado County.
Sincerely, Captain Anna Schultz, Columbus Volunteer Fire Department
