June Garen: Support Gilmanton Fire Department budget, warrants

To The Daily Sun,

I am writing in strong support of the Gilmanton Fire Department’s proposed budget and the warrant article to add a full-time firefighter/AEMT/paramedic, bringing the department’s full-time staff to six.

In emergency medical calls, fires, and serious accidents, having no fewer than two trained responders on scene is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Safe, efficient, and coordinated care depends on teamwork. Whether stabilizing a patient, managing a fire scene, or responding to a motor vehicle crash, one responder alone cannot safely or effectively do the job. Two trained professionals allow for better decision-making, safer patient care, and protection of the responders themselves.

In a rural community like Gilmanton, critical minutes matter. Delays caused by understaffing can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy. When trained personnel are not immediately available, outcomes for residents are diminished and risks to responders increase. Our firefighters and EMS providers already do remarkable work under challenging conditions; they should not be asked to do so without adequate staffing.

This warrant article is a responsible investment in public safety, community resilience, and the well-being of both residents and first responders. I urge voters to support the fire department budget and this essential addition to staffing.

June Garen

Gilmanton