Lt. Christopher Shipp, president

To the editor,

It seems that our fire chief has unfairly become the target of choice for some of the "experts on everything" in our city.

Recently, the chief's public safety concerns have been scrutinized in letters to the editor and on local radio talk shows. Unfortunately, certain people feel that just because they have a forum to voice their opinions, they are experts in whatever field they choose to rant about.

In Laconia, that could be anything from the school system to the fire department. Fortunately for everyone, most Laconia residents don't give these "experts" much credibility. Just for good measure, there are a few things we would like to clarify in regard to the Laconia Fire Department that were mentioned in a recent letter to the editor by Thomas Tardif.

In his letter, Mr. Tardif took exception to the chief stating that the fire department is under-equipped and under-staffed. He mentioned with disdain the fact we have two ladder trucks. He also complained about the lack of a ladder truck in the Weirs Fire Station, as if it were Chief Erickson's fault.

Quite simply, the Laconia Fire Department has two ladder trucks due to the high number of multi-story buildings in our city. Comparing our equipment needs with those of our surrounding communities is like comparing apples to oranges.

Many of the city's elderly residents are housed in our tallest buildings. Certainly they are entitled to proper fire protection and rescue capabilities.

We agree with Mr. Tardif that it would be nice to have a ladder truck in the Weirs Fire Station. The fact is, the 75-foot ladder truck that was initially purchased to go in the Weirs Station would not fit in the station due to its height.

However, that oversight was made long before Chief Erickson came to Laconia. Assuming we could fit a ladder truck in the Weirs Station, it would still have to be staffed properly.

Another concern of Mr. Tardif is the chief trying to solicit funding for a "super boat" for the fire department. If a "super boat" is one that can provide basic rescue and fire suppression capabilities, then I guess Chief Erickson is guilty as charged. The only reason he is soliciting private funds is because of under-funding in the fire department budget.

The Laconia Fire Department's lack of ability to respond to water-related emergencies has long been a source of embarrassment to its members. We are the "city on the lakes," yet we respond to all water-based emergencies in an under-powered inflatable boat.

If there is a water-based emergency in the Weirs, the initial response is two firefighters with life jackets and throw ropes.

We then wait for the boat from Central Station.

Smaller departments around us are much better equipped to handle water-based emergencies. Our city encourages tourists to come enjoy our waterways, yet it does not properly equip the fire department to respond to the associated emergencies that arise.

In fact, during this year's budget process, former Laconia Fire Chief Richard Judkins tried to cut $5,000 out of the fire department budget that was earmarked for water rescue equipment. His feeling was that the fire department should not be in the business of doing water rescues.

That is an easy attitude to have from the comfort of a chair at city hall — it is an impossible attitude to have when faced with a drowning child.

People call the fire department for all types of emergencies. We do not have the luxury of picking and choosing our calls, nor do we want it. Councilor Judkins is the first fire service member we have ever heard say that the fire department should not be in the water rescue business. It's odd that he didn't feel that way when he was chief. We wonder if he teaches that philosophy to his fire science students at the New Hampshire Community Technical College.

We could spend all day rebutting comments made about the Laconia Fire Department by people who know absolutely nothing about the fire service. That would be fruitless. We would like to end by stating the obvious.

It is a fact that we are under-staffed. It is a fact that we are under-equipped. Fire Chief Erickson is merely stating what anyone in the fire service already knows.

He has the best interests of the residents and guests of the city of Laconia in mind. He also puts the safety of his firefighters first. He is backed by over 20 years of progressive leadership in the fire service. For these simple reasons, he has our full support when it comes to better staffing and equipping of the fire department.

Frankly, we would like to ask that the area "experts on everything" stop harassing our chief for doing the job he was hired to do, and doing it quite well.

Lt. Christopher Shipp, president

Laconia Professional Firefighters