Questions and Answers for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District

By Jack Nelson

Questions and Answers provided to the Almanac on 9/21/2009

PROFILE INFORMATION Residence: 22 year resident Profession: Logistics, Corporate Safety Community/Civic experience: CERT Team Leader, CERT Train- The -Trainer, CAL-FIRE Prevention/Communications Age: 64

1. Why are you running for the fire board, and why are you the best candidate? I am a candidate for the Fire Board, because I want to to be able to continue to maintain the high standard of deliverable Fire and EMS service, that Menlo Park is so highly regarded for. I feel I am the best candidate, because I have attended every monthly Fire Board meeting for the past 8 years. I understand the issues and challenges facing our district today.

2. What are the top two or three issues board members will have to address in the next four years? Contracts, Salaries, Compensations, adequate staffing and continued cutting edge Training & Innovation.

3. Cut backs are always an issue. A Board member has to be able to be fiscally accountable, and be able to re-examine every opportunity for a cost savings..

4. I do favor some consolidations of services, like Training, Purchasing, Administrative functions, only if it can provide a significant cost savings to the Fire District.

5. Reduced spending on station upgrades was a good move, only the priorities should come first. The Fire Board should closely monitor projected/received revenues, maintain reserves, and cut unnecessary spending.