DCFEMS has had its fair share of bad press, and deservedly. Well documented problems with the organization stretch back over decades of benign neglect and active opposition to change by all sides.
Things will change when creative solutions are embraced by the department’s culture. Clearly the system hasn’t worked for a long time; simply throwing money at the solution won’t be the panacea. The department has to re-examine what its primary roles are, and redeploy resources as necessary to mitigate the issues. It’s sound and fiscally prudent management.
It’s not a win/lose dynamic. A department that is more in tune to its community’s needs is one that is more respected by its citizens. Cash-strapped governments must make every dollar count. A rising economy doesn’t change that equation.
Will the proposed staffing increases make a dent? Twenty-five seems like too small of a number to do so. And it doesn’t address a crumbling infrastructure and the badly designed funding strategy that is the DC budget. But it does signal a possible change in thinking within the department. Figuring out how to maximize the impact is the next step. We’ll wait and see.
