Northampton County's Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Mateff, whose department oversees both 911 and emergency management, had to explain a 36% increase in OT in 2011 during Monday's budget hearing. Between 2007 and 2010, OT had been going down.
Part of the reason, according to Mateff, was the hiring freeze last year. But then he pointed to Winter storms last year, the Nicos fire in Plainfield Township, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and, of course, that earthquake.
"I'm pretty sure pestilence is next," he said.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
▼
Thursday, October 13, 2011
12 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Not funny!
ReplyDeleteIts because the county invites itself to emergency calls that are the responsibility of the locals. This service is a product of Conklin. Some think its good while others think its a waste of time and question why does the County think it needs to respond to situations that the locals can and are required to clearly handle.
ReplyDeleteAgree with above. Their role needs to be precisely defined so not to provide an excuse for trough slopping by county employees, who must slop and drive up overtime to justify their original opposition to staff reductions. It's a perfect example of how government doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteLet's see. The tea party wanted government to downsize and this is the result. Did they think the work would suddenly disappear or that the super high morale of workers would take over enabling them to do twice the workload?
ReplyDeleteAnother DUH moment for the tax cutters.
How can the OT associated with the 911 center be replaced by a local response? Last I checked, no one wants to see volunteers staffing the 911 center.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot. It is perhaps the most professional department in the County. As for the complaint that it does things that should be handled by the locals, and of course, that is just another jab at Conklin by an uninformed critic. The emergency responders were there for the Rte 33 chem spill, the Nico fire, the swine flu scare, the recent hurricane. They have reverse 911 capabilities and can really help people in ways that a small borough cannot. They were even on hand when George, a chocolate lab, was rescued, The person who rescued George was on a regional team created by Conklin.
ReplyDeleteConklin did a great job with
ReplyDeleteEmergency Management.
I was on many a scene with them, and they were needed in every incident. People that don't know the first thing about Emergencies, and how they are handled should not comment. The people out there on the scene do their job well volunteers or payed.
Anonymous 6:12 AM is clearly misinformed. The Emergency Management staff who interact with the locals on preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation matters are all salaried Career Service employees who DO NOT receive OT. The OT is from the rank and file, hourly paid 911 Telecommunicators. Staffing levels on the 911 side need to be maintained with at least minimum levels. You comment is a "waste of time".
ReplyDeleteClearly, 6:12 and 7:06 are misinformed. The county does not "invite itself" to emergency calls and their roles are clearly defined by statute regarding preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities.
ReplyDeleteEMS is the jewel of Northampton County's government. We are very fortunate to have such a well-equipped, professional program.
ReplyDeleteIt probably is the best run department, probably bc it is away from the Courthouse
ReplyDeleteFunny, that was what the Gracedale managers and others said about Gracedlae. be careful what you praise.
ReplyDelete