I have a thought on the article “Fire Beef Aired” that was printed recently and I wanted my comments also aired instead of only a former selectman’s.

My thoughts are not to be taken as anti-fire department. We called 9-1-1 to handle an emergency and got quick and professional service. However, I felt embarrassed for the shed owner who watched it go up in flames. Instead of sympathy, he was left looking like an ingrate who should never question the services of Pembroke. It seemed like the Board should have said they were sorry for the loss and would look into the matter.

The slow response seemed to be in question. The fact that a truck arrived with one fire fighter and no communication with the home owner seems ridiculous. A shed fire should be responded to without the need for back up. No one needs to run into a smoke-filled house. I would like to know what the Marshfield emergency was that took our firemen away. Maybe we should tell surrounding towns we can’t support them if we are short manpower.

The other complaint I have about the selectmen is in regard to the fire victim and the rest of the taxpayers who are being blamed for not supplying enough money for Chief Neenan’s budget. That is not our problem. We elect selectmen to make the right choices when they are dividing funds. If they think the fire department budget is wrong, let them add to it from other departments. Pembroke is not unlike any other town in having to deal with less money than it would like to have.

If leadership would stop making excuses and finding fault with taxpayers there would be more time to find solutions. If this can’t be worked out, we, the home owners, will have to keep the outside water on all winter to be ready to use our own hoses in case of fire.

John Callahan