Posted by Roxanne Rorapaugh
a resident of Menlo Park: University Heights
on Jan 19, 2017 at 2:46 pm

I could not agree more with Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman, our firefighters deserve to be well paid and I am happy to hear that we do pay them well for the area. Considering the physical demands of their jobs, it is also important to have health and retirement benefits for them. Paying overtime is only right.. Our firefighters are skilled professionals with medical training as well.

On Dec 17, 2015, my husband fell and broke his hip. The Fire department was the first to respond to our 911 call. Not only did they know exactly how to tend to my husband and prepare him for transport to the emergency room by an ambulance, every member of the fire team was so kind, calm, professional and caring that I will never forget how lucky I am to live in a place where there are people who will help you when you call. My husband had a long journey ahead to recover from his injury, but the help we received from those firefighters got us started out the right way. I can not quite express my gratitude for this.

Also, less dramatically, several months ago on a Friday night our furnace would not turn off. A new thermostat had been installed that day, but the installers were not available. I was afraid that the furnace would just keep getting hotter and hotter, and it was old, so maybe even explode. I called the fire department, they came over and to look at it and finally had to turn off the gas to the furnace (which I had now idea how to do). We replaced the furnace shortly after. I felt a little foolish, but the firefighters were again so nice and professional it made me appreciate again that we could get help when needed. Also, the action may have prevented a fire from starting.

I know from experience that our firefighters are not only professionals, and brave, but kind and caring. We are lucky to have them. This is an expensive area to live in, but a big fire of just a few houses cost several millions of dollars and possibly end in deaths or injuries that we can not put a price on. We should not be cheap when it comes to what are some of the most important people in our community.

Thank you Menlo Park Firefighters.

Sincerely
Roxie Rorapaugh
885 Sherman Ave
Menlo Park

Posted by Richard Hine
editor of The Almanac
on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:59 am
Richard Hine is a registered user.

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