6 April 5, 2023
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Many local communities are served, especially at times when they are needed most, by those who give their time to their community as volunteer firefighters. This is a service that is anything but a nine to five situation and volunteers give their time at all hours of the day and night, responding to all kind of calls from medical situations to accidents to, of course, fires. According to the Firefighter Association of New York (FASNY), these volunteers save not only lives and property, but also billions in taxpayer dollars. According to an economic impact study released by FASNY these dedicated volunteers help New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion annually through their services. FASNY goes on to report volunteers play a critical part in safeguarding New York’s communities and helping to save lives. The 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state provide vital protection and services during emergencies and contribute significantly to their communities through continuous training, outreach, and fire safety education. They also play a critical role in the statewide response plans to major emergencies and natural disasters, according to FASNY. On the economic side, the report, prepared by Resolution Economics (ResEcon), the “Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New York’s Volunteer Fire Service” is the second study in the past decade to examine the economic impact of New York’s volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters keep local taxes and expenses low by eliminating the need to pay career firefighters wages, benefits, and related costs. New York State relies heavily on volunteer fire departments, and a conversion to paid departments would cause a severe economic burden and require a massive increase in property taxes. “This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. “Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great state safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low.” Among the findings in the report: Fully paid career departments would cost New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually in pay, benefits, operating, maintenance, and capital costs; 31,058 fulltime paid firefighters would need to be hired; Of New York State’s 1,640 fire departments, 93.2% are all-volunteer or mostly volunteer. If NYS switched to an all-paid fire service: Local government property taxes would rise an average of 28.4% absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8% and 133.8% depending on the county); and There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment, according to FASNY. As critical a service as they provide, volunteer fire departments are facing challenges with recruitment and retention. Departments are comprised of older members and often find it difficult to find and retain younger members. According to FASNY, the past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout New York, and many are faced with decreased membership and increased call volume. It is estimated that there are 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were 20 years ago, and it has become increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing ones due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules and other factors. But departments across the state will be hosting events to try to inspire more people to consider volunteering. Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors to residents Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23, as part of the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend. RecruitNY is a major initiative of the Firefighters Association of New York (FASNY) designed to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments, according to FASNY. Individuals looking to find out if their fire department is participating in RecruitNY, visit recruitny.org/participation-area/. For more information, contact your local volunteer fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website and if you have ever considered serving, this is a good opportunity to learn more about the volunteer fire service.
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It’s, like, language She sat there, woman and so many others? Is it a more Ramblings dressed casually, as from the verbal form of … uh most college stuempty nest … a kind of place dents are. I can’t holder in speech Ann Ferro remember why she while your brain prowas in my office. I cesses your next thought? What? do remember the uneasy feeling Needless to say, my antiquated that remained about that converknowledge of the English lansation. guage prevented me from staying This was a young woman, as on task and I completely lost the I remember, a few months away train of whatever thought it was from graduation, an embarkation she shared. into an adult experience, trying And then, how would you diaout her college-acquired 1,000gram a sentence with all of those word vocabulary which apparently likes? Talk about an antiquated included 5,000 “likes.” activity … but one I loved. “Like, I loved my poly sci Then she went past whatever botany classes, especially like border her language barrier crethose where we like could get like ated. She described the bus ride involved.” to my office as “awesome.” God, I wondered how her writing speaking to Moses through the fared? How did she make up for burning bush is awesome; a specthe use of the word “like”? tacular sunset is awesome. Riding Now, I know that language a Centro bus is not. Please! changes. For instance, in Latin, This enthusiastic college senior the word egregius means distinis not the only trespasser in languished, meritorious, but someguage land. Someone has stolen how it has come to mean the opthe power of hyperbole. Now, for posite. Someone who is described those of you who have forgotten, as egregious is someone who is hyperbole is the use of language conspicuously bad. In my lexito exaggerate. In that sense there con, the word “like” has several is good hyperbole and bad hyperconnotations. Among them, like bole. The use of the word aweexpresses preference, e.g. I like to some, which should be associated read nonfiction. It is used as the with truly spectacular awe-filled introduction to a simile, e.g. Her occurrences, has been relegated speech was like a broken record. to a much-diminished usage as What function does the ubiquithe way to describe a smoothie at tous “like” perform for this young
Duncan Donuts. Another sadly diminished use of a word is that currently being adopted by Americans seeking to copy their Irish and British cousins use of “brilliant.” Einstein was brilliant. My English professor at SU was brilliant. The morning sun is brilliant. Yet, I hear Americans using this word to describe even the most pedestrian, the most ordinary events. When a job well done is described as amazing, one has to ponder whether the speaker expected less, and therefore was bowled over by an adequate performance, or whether he or she has fallen into the habit of demeaning the power of words. A paint job is only amazing or awesome if it was done by Leonardo Da Vinci. Otherwise a good job is a good job. As the range of meaning for such words expands, their initial power is diminished. So I have to search for words that can convey that specialness, that out of the ordinary, that breathtaking quality that should be set apart by words. Like, say … like, incredible.
Ann Ferro is a mother, a grandmother and a retired social studies teacher. While still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, she lives in Marcellus with lots of books, a spouse and a large orange cat.
Syracuse Jazz Fest poised to make more memories this summer Baldwinsville, posFrank Malfitano, sesses an encyclothe founder of Livin’ in pedic knowledge of the Syracuse Jazz Liverpool the history of jazz, Festival, once told and his bookings me that – although Russ Tarby have reflected that. he loves presenting Some of my favorite world-class enterJazz Fest moments featured piotainers – that’s only the method neering musicians such as pianist by which he achieves even Dorothy Donegan, bluesman greater satisfaction. B.B. King, clarinetists Peanuts “Man, I’m in the business of Hucko and Pete Fountain, bebop creating memories,” Malfitano vocalist Mark Murphy, trumpeter exclaims. Dizzy Gillespie and the eclectic And he’s proud to do that by Sun Ra Orchestra. bringing our community togethAnd over the years, Malfitano er to revel in rhythms, to dance made sure to showcase Syracuseto the dynamics, to sing along area performers such as Charlie with the stars. Bertini’s AppleJazz Band, scat Ah, memories! I’m sure yours singers Nancy Kelly and Ronnie are some of the same as mine: Leigh, the Salt City Collective, The audience spilled out standards singer Nick Ziobro easterly over Salina Street when and noir guitarist Mark Doyle, Diana Krall and Ray Charles just to name a few. headlined in Clinton Square in June 2000. Many thousands This year’s fest June 21-25 filled the Onondaga Community More marvelous memories will College outdoor amphitheater for surely be made when the 37th ansmooth-jazz saxophonist Kenny nual Syracuse Jazz Fest starts its G in 2012. An even larger crowd unprecedented five-day run on heard Aretha Franklin’s climacJune 21 in downtown Syracuse. tic set in 2015 also at OCC. Veteran keyboardist, NEA Jazz As a fan of early New Orleans Master Herbie Hancock will join jazz, I was blown away in 2013 songstress and 2022 Kennedy when the Preservation Hall Jazz Band took the stage at Jamesville Center Honoree Gladys Knight Friday, June 23 and Saturday, Beach and cranked out the old June 24, respectively, to coMardi Gras anthem, “Tootie Ma headline the festival. The event is a Real Big Thing.” has a new title sponsor, longtime Personal highlights festival supporter National Grid. A couple personal highlights Ten other recording artists for me came when I ascended the will appear at the 2023 festival, main stage at Clinton Square to on Thursday, Friday and Satintroduce pianist Les McCann in urday evenings at Hanover and 1994 and banjoman Bela Fleck & Clinton Squares, and on WednesThe Flecktones in 1996. day evening in clubs throughout Malfitano, who now lives in downtown. Groups include Spyro
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SKANEATELES - JORDAN - ELBRIDGE - MARCELLUS - CAMILLUS
Gyra, Tower of Power, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Tuba Skinny, Joyce DiCamillo, Nancy Kelly, Joe Magnarelli and Marissa Mulder. The long-running music festival successfully returned in June 2022 following a five-year hiatus after the conclusion of the 2017 festival. On its opening evening Wednesday, June 21, this year’s festival will feature 24 nightclub performances at two dozen downtown bars and restaurants featuring 24 of the Syracuse region’s top jazz artists. On Thursday, June 22, on the festival’s new Hanover Square outdoor stage will feature two performances from 5 to 9 p.m. beginning with Harri Stojka & Acoustic Drive from Vienna, Austria. They will be followed by an soul-jazz ensemble called Something Else! The festival will close out on Sunday, June 25 on the Syracuse University campus with a Jazz Fest Gospel concert featuring the Dillard University Choir of New Orleans. For information, visit syracusejazzfest.com.
Last word
“In order to keep attracting the Amazons and Microns of the world to our region to help the community stay on its current growth path, it’s imperative that we have first-rate entertainment and cultural menu offerings that will help local leaders with recruiting and retention.” –Syracuse Jazz Fest Artistic Director Frank Malfitano.
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