Braim’s experience will aid public safety
I have been a resident and employee in tSaratoga Springs for 20 years. I truly care about the future of this city and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department. I have been a firefighter for Saratoga Springs for 20 years and the IAFF Local 343 Union President and VP for the past several years.
After reading a letter to the editor from Frank Capone, a very enthusiastic supporter of Peter Martin, I felt I needed to write in and clear some of Mr. Capone’s reckless and irresponsible comments in his letter. To make a statement that “The only affordable way to bring a third fire station ... is to change the way we staff our equipment,” is very short sighted and dangerous. I’m sure that Peter Martin does not have any fire management experience.
Why is there only one plan? Who’s plan is it? What is the plan? No plan has been discussed with anyone within this 60 member union. We have many talented and experienced men and women in this great aratoga Springs Fire Department and not one of them has been included an any plan for a third station. I would think it would be important to discuss something like this with the members before you start talking about changing manpower and staffing.
Frank Capone states that Don Braim is alluding to some vague notion of “teamwork” when it comes to a plan for fire/EMS on the east side of the city. In our line of work, we should do everything as a team and utilize teamwork to come up with a plan and solutions. In our line of work, if we don’t use teamwork, civilians and firefighters can be injured or even worse, end in death. We, as a union are more than willing to sit down with city officials, our two chiefs and citizens of Saratoga Springs to come up with the best affordable and safest plan to give the best coverage in the eastern plateau.
Our union met with Mr. Braim and Mr. Martin this past July, with both of them asking us for our endorsement for commissioner of public safety. We let both candidates come in and speak to our members and explain their position and views. Mr. Braim spoke of a lifetime dedication to public safety through the SSPD and also through the public sector. He emphasized working together with labor, the chief’s office and himself. His experience in public safety was very apparent. Mr. Martin spoke of being a attorney for a business. He spoke of his inexperience in public safety and how he would rely on the chief for direction. Not one word of teamwork within the entire Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Mr. Martin was asked why [he was running for] commissioner of public safety after being appointed county clerk, losing a election for commissioner of finance and then being elected as county supervisor. Mr. Martin’s answer had nothing to do with public safety; he stated that he wanted to be one of the five on the city council.
After having a dentist, lawyer, private investigator and a insurance agent (just to name a few) as commissioners of public safety, SSFD IAFF Local 343 voted to endorse Don Braim for commissioner of public safety. We feel that his experience can be beneficial to all of public Ssafety. As for Mr. Capone’s accusations of Mr. Braim favoring the unions and “channels” overtime to a select few: Please be aware — Union contracts are negotiated between the mayor and the unions, not directly between the union and the commissioner. SSFD IAFF Local 343 members have been involved in this community for decades. Our members care about the citizens when we are on and off duty. We will continue to provide one of the best fire/ EMS services in New York. James A. Morrow Saratoga Springs