We rely on expert help | LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Published 10:27 am Wednesday, November 30, 2011
To the editor:
I am writing in response to your recent articles about South Whidbey Fire/EMS’s efforts to improve communication with its taxpayers through the use of a consultant. Using consultants for different services is a common practice for every fire district and more cost-effective than hiring full-time employees.
Our job is to save lives, and that is our area of expertise. We rely on others to help us in areas where they are experts, as well. South Whidbey Fire/EMS utilizes consultants for volunteer recruitment and retention, web development, communications, legal services, architecture, and radio system coverage and design. The total cost is just 2 percent of our budget for all the services mentioned.
We believe that these are important investments to make particularly in the area of being better communicators with our taxpayers. They have a right to know what we do well, where we need to improve and some of the challenges we are a facing via our new newsletter.
I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. As always, I encourage the community to contact me directly if they have other questions or concerns at 360-321-1533.
FIRE CHIEF H.L. “RUSTY” PALMER
Island County Fire District 3
