Letter From Mayor: Read Full Reports on Police and Fire Operations

November 15, 2013

Dear Friends:

Last evening the police chief and the fire chief gave in-depth presentations on their departments' operations at a City Council workshop.

These reports provided the Council and the public an opportunity to better understand all aspects of our public safety services including the facts related to a number of often repeated questions such as:

• Could/should the police serve as first responders on all emergency medical calls?
• What are the advantages of having emergency medical services within the Fire Department?
• Could/should our three fire stations be consolidated into two?
• What are our current staffing models and how might they be improved?
• Are their ways to reduce overtime costs without jeopardizing public safety?
• Could/should more civilian EMTs be used within the fire department?

I urge you to review the chiefs’ reports:

• Ocean City Fire and Rescue Services
• Ocean City Beach Patrol
• Federal Government Surplus
• Ocean City Police Services

The Fire Chief is recommending some changes that will reallocate certain resources and implement new programs related to fire inspections, fire prevention, training and community education.  These important initiatives will make us a safer community.  

The fire chief also reported a willingness to operate slightly differently in the off season in a manner that will not jeopardize safety, but will save money.  Finally, we will supplement our staff with additional civilian EMTs in 2014, a move that can also save money.

Public safety remains the most important function of local government.  I assure you it remains my highest priority as mayor.

The administration will continue to discuss these important issues with the City Council and the public in the coming weeks.

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor