Where would you be if we didn't show up?

To the editor: As a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician in the Town of Monroe, I would like to express my gratitude to the Monroe Town Board, Village of Harriman, Village of Monroe and Monroe-Woodbury School District for following the State and County and the passing of the Volunteer Tax Reduction. Although the 10 percent reduction on assessed value is not a large amount of money, it is a small “thank you” to the volunteers who respond without compensation in the Village of Monroe, the Village of Harriman and the Town of Monroe seven days a week 365 days a year. All of these men and women hold down full-time jobs, some more than one, have families and still find the time to help. Many residents in the community do not understand the time and training these men and women put in on yearly basis for free. On average, emergency services in Monroe answer approximately 2,500 calls per year. Each call takes a minimum of two hours and can last as long as several hours. This does not include training hours per year. The volunteer ambulance and volunteer fire companies need the support of the community. Without their efforts, the residents would see an increase in taxes that would make it almost impossible for anyone to live here. Each of these men and women also are supported by families who make it all possible. There are many dinners that are missed, many holiday’s spent alone and many activities and family functions disrupted; all for a pat on the back from your fellow volunteer. It’s a strange breed of people who will wake up at 3 a.m. on snowy morning and rush to help someone they may never know or see again. It’s a rare breed who can see devastation and sickness on a regular basis and still function and return to do it again and again. This tax relief is long overdue and welcomed by all the volunteers. Where would you be if we didn’t show up? Contact your local fire company or the ambulance corps to volunteer. Thank you for your support. Rich Lenahan Chief of Harriman Engine Co. #1 Captain Monroe Volunteer Ambulance