You ARE right that the money would benefit people other than just their employees. That’s okay as long as their employees benefit too.

Every time those who train there work a call they should do a better job of saving lives and extinguishing fires even if the beneficiaries aren’t Ascend employees or their families.

It might also result in lower insurance rates for those in the areas who got better training. It’s pretty easy for lower insurance rates to exceed $3.5 million when many people are involved over much of a time span. In fact, it’s quite possible the Ascend employees alone will get that much benefit and the rest will just be extra.

Years back we figured where the McDavid VFD ISO rating lowered insurance more than the MSBU cost, but I have no idea how it compares now. Part of that rating was equipment, training, record keeping, response time.

David for wise spending
and maximum benefit

Most if not all buildings around here do not have the need for fire hydrants next to them. All of the northend departments have tanker trucks that have more than enough water to extinguish any fire that might pop up. just saying.

and imagine if it were you or a loved one living next to the plant and got in a jam… id want the people trained to do the best job possible. AND if you work at the plant and want more money…join the fire brigade!

Being an old volunteer fire fighter i think the idea is great. the entire county could use the facility to train!!!

Ascend is trying to get a “free” training facility to use for its own purposes at taxpayer expense.

Most of the public would be surprised to know how many of the surrounding area’s volunteer firefighters are employees of Ascend and receive their training and certifications from fire training at Ascend. I know of at least three of the area’s VFD’s chiefs are employed by and trained at Ascend.

For the record, no one at Ascend has lost their pension. Those of us with a vested pension balance, still have it and are make interest on it, although its not much. There is simply no more contributions being made. We do however have a 401K with a contribution match.

For 20 acres, the county is going to provide a full-time training support center for the company’s training requirements at our expense. NO WAY!!! Commissioner White better get on board with a no vote and look to using county owned property to build a training facility. This way Ascend can continue to pay taxes on its property!

Ascend has their own 24/7 paid fire brigade, trucks, ambulance, medical department, and hazmat response team.