[Alberta's Child]

One problem with privatizing something like firefighting is that there is an inherent distortion in the marketplace when you're dealing with a job function that serves the public interest best when it is done the least. Just think about it . . . from the standpoint of public interest and public safety, the best scenario imaginable is one in which the firefighters never have to respond to a single fire.

This is one reason why it is so hard to privatize public functions that are largely "preventive" or "responsive" in nature. New York City used to do this back in the 19th century, and they had to put a stop to it because they ended up with competing fire companies running around setting fires just so they could work more.

[Jim from C-Town]

Actually it is quite the opposite. Several counties and cities already use private ambulance services, IE Rural Metro, or American Ambulance to handle their EMS services.

It has stabilized the cost of these services and limited the cities liability. Many Southern states have eliminated many of the functions that where always considered government functions. In several areas of TN the local Morgue and Coroners are actually services that are bid out to private companies. The employees are usually paid similar wages, yet they have benefits more in line with the private sector. No excess pension costs and union benefits.

The fire services are NOT a special situation. Remember that a vast majority of all Firefighters in this country are VOLUNTEERS. The future is coming weather the public sector employees like it or not. The idea that 20 - 25 years of work leads to 20 - 30 years of full pay and benefits in retirement are quickly coming to an end.

Read up on the future. This is just one of the companies that are taking up the slack created by the bloated fire fighter unions.

http://www.ruralmetro.com/products_fireservices.asp