Should there be a dedicated tax to support the Carnegie fire deparment?

The Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department has suffered losses from Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, has had lackluster fundraising results, dwindling grants and increasing federal regulations. Carnegie voters may be asked on the November ballot whether the borough should dedicate tax mills to support the fire department. Should taxes be dedicated for this purpose? [Read PG story.]

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A community or volunteer fire department should be willing or able to support it's self.  In the event that you have multiple fire agencies within a 1/2 mile of each other, there is absolutely no reason that consolidation should not be considered.  It would benefit all of those involved and eliminate a duplication of services and provide a better organized agency to provide services.  

The residents of Carnegie need to make the decision to either support the entire department, reduce the number of pieces of equipment and make it dependant on neighboring agencies for support or consider merging it's agency with  the two other stations nearby.  It doesn't necessarily need to have a communities name on the side of the truck to put out the fire; it only needs to respond with the appropriate equipment and qualified trained personnel.  

This region was initially set up by volunteers and most of those often lived within walking distance of the fire station.  Today many volunteers drive community to community to join different agencies.  There is much pride and stubbornness that prevents money being spent appropriately.