Fire Department Public Comment from Martha ArtyomenkoFrom:Martha Artyomenko
To:Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Fire Department
Date:Monday, August 17, 2020 5:50:17 PM
To whom it may concern:
I have lived in Kalispell and the areas around the Flathead for the last 32 Years. I feel that I have a pretty good feel
for the area, some of the needs of the community. I am a home owner, have worked in the field of Emergency
medicine as a volunteer in an adjoining county ambulance service about 16 years ago now.
I am completely taken aback by the lack of fire engines and personnel we are funneling money towards. I live near
downtown and I see on the east side, the side walks being torn up and repaired, which is great. But if the houses
burn down, people die because they cannot get help because funding went to tree trimming and sidewalk repair, this
is not ok. I understand that you can’t just allocate funds. But we the people, really want more firefighters, more
paramedics, not less.
I want to know that I can call, and they will be there. We have severe housing crisis going on right now, which as a
property manager, I see and bear the brunt of it. If more homes burn down, it will get worse, not better. This is going
to cause more homeless people, more unrest, civil disturbances, and create issues beyond the fire department.
Whatever you have to do to get more engines, ambulances and paid workers, please do it. If it means that we have to
have torn up sidewalks, and other issues in the city, let it be. I walk everywhere, I know the impact, but find a way
for the important things first.
I know your job is not easy as city counsel, and I totally respect that, which is why I implore you to take a look at
this issue.
Martha Artyomenko
Sent from my iPad