Honolulu Fire Department and the Research Paper

Total Length: 935 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3

Increasingly, these EMS services are becoming the bread and butter funding sources increasingly for fire departments (FEMA, 2010, p. 1-1).

These fees and the decisions that are made by city, local and county officials literally translate into life and death for the citizens of the affected areas. In addition, the question of who should pay is raised, raising basic questions of governance and equity. Should only the users of such services pay the burden of the services that they are provided with? Should the EMS and protection services be treated as we would insurance in which the fees that are charged are a function of the risks presented? Should these services be considered as being provided to those who are in need with the costs spread evenly across the whole society? Are "user charges" for such life-saving services immoral (ibid, p. 1-1)?

In addition to fees, many local agencies have been engaged in levying new taxes, additional borrowing, EMS and fire departments are engaged in the leasing of equipment and in benefit assessment charges (like property taxes). Benefit assessment charges are a way to evade limits on property tax limitations and also can improve the equity for charges for fire protections.

Stuck Writing Your "Honolulu Fire Department and The" Research Paper?

Strategic alliances between fire departments in neighboring jurisdictions and with other agencies to share or provide various types of services have been floated as one of many solutions. In addition, cost sharing and consolidation is involving many EMS and fire departments to join together to pay for new facilities or services. This reduces the burden on each department, especially where the facilities and/or services are not frequently used. This has inspired some EMS and fire departments to join together to form single departments to save on costs and to improve service delivery.

Some EMS and fire departments are selling used equipment or services to produce needed revenue. It is now important to get top dollar for that old equipment (ibid, p. 1-2 -1-3).

As mentioned above, a mixed approach of various small solutions will have to be combined to take the Honolulu Fire Department through the next ten years. Many painful decisions about rationing the services will have to be considered. Compromise may not please everyone, but it is necessary for these precious fire and EMS services to survive.

Works.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Honolulu Fire Department And The" (2010, September 17) Retrieved July 3, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/honolulu-fire-department-8459

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Honolulu Fire Department And The" 17 September 2010. Web.3 July. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/honolulu-fire-department-8459>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Honolulu Fire Department And The", 17 September 2010, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/honolulu-fire-department-8459