Posen Area Fire & Rescue seeking the establishment of fire authority

In two recently failed millages, Posen Area Fire & Rescue received approval from the majority of the voters for the relocation of the fire hall and the purchase of a new pumper unit, but had the proposals defeated because one of the four townships said ?no.? It did not matter that the total number of ?yes? votes outnumbered the ?no? votes across the board. The measure needed approval in all four townships. The coverage area of Posen Area Fire & Rescue includes Posen, Metz, Krakow, and Pulawski townships. The millage request two months ago during the August primary would have provided the fire department with a new pumper/tanker truck to replace a 1974 Ford pumper truck that has not been able to withstand the workload and is in constant need of repair. The most recent repairs included replacement of the brake master cylinders.

THREE TOWNSHIPS gave the proposal a thumbs up, while one of the smallest populated counties in Presque Isle County, one that cast only 80 votes in the primary, sank the millage request by 10 votes, 42 to 32. The fire board is trying to do something about it with the creation of a fire authority. It is closer to becoming reality as three of the four townships have already agreed to move forward with the plan. The township boards in Posen, Metz, and Pulawski have given their approval, with only Krakow Township needing to sign on. Under the direction of a fire authority, any proposals to go before voters would only need a majority from all four townships, not the majority in each entity, to receive approval. Representatives from Krakow Township attended the Posen Area Fire & Rescue board meeting earlier this month and had some questions. Their main concern is they are going to lose some of their decision-making power. Attending the meeting was Krakow Township clerk Elaine Misiak and trustee Harry Jakubiak.

JAKUBIAK IS the township liaison to the fire board, but was unable to attend the only township meeting this month, October 10, because he was on vacation. ?The township board did not want to make a decision without the entire board there,? said Jakubiak. Township meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, while the fire board meets the first Wednesday. The Krakow Township board will

not meet again until November 14. ?I think it is a good idea,? said Jakubiak of the fire authority proposal. The Krakow Township board consists of five members. According to Posen Area Fire Department Capt. Terry Buczkowski, many rural fire departments are moving toward the establishment of fire authorities. He said three of the townships are dipping into their general fund budget to meet the demands of the fire department budget. Only Metz Township has an approved millage for emergency services. The fire authority proposal has been discussed the last couple of years, but only recently started picking up steam.

IN OTHER news: The Posen Fire Department will be receiving a new jaws of life October 25. They received a grant from the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. They were notified earlier this year, but were waiting to receive the equipment. Department representatives will be receiving the new equipment and training at the East Grand Lake Fire Department next week.

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