My parents moved away from New England in the mid 70’s and eventually settled in Maryland. They missed all things New England, but my Dad told me with frank honesty that he loved the "county system approach.”  The school system was enormous, but the bureaucracy was more efficient because there was only one Police Chief and one Fire Chief (as well as a single administrative department, consistent human resource standards /guidelines and combined purchasing power).

In light of the overdue spotlight on how our communities are failing to provide the best possible public safety services equally to everyone. I propose (although I can’t take credit for this initiative, it’s a compilation of things I have learned) that we:

1. Consolidate Police, Fire, Ems, Public Health, Town Nursing, Social Workers, Dare Officers, Psychologists, and all other “Professional People Persons” into a cross purpose Public Safety Partnership.

2. Involve local, state, county, federal, international and global levels.

3. Avoid political partisanship whenever possible (and make it possible).

4. Rethink the uniforms, titles, promotion path, chain of command, hiring and firing standards and most important their overarching mission.  They are all part of a Public Safety Partnership. That means the whole organization is half of the equation; the partnership with the communities they serve are the other half. 

5. Some certified partners may need various educational degrees, but most training should be provided at no cost for committed team members. 

For example, say as a high school student I would like to be a formal part of the Public Safety Partnership component of my community. I apply to become an apprentice. Initial areas of interest could be emergency preparedness, wellness and health, challenging current and historical issues, fire prevention, ecological issues, human infrastructure, human resource adaptability, fighting fires, protecting our environment, or enforcement of statutes and laws.

If I am accepted into this organization I take a pledge (almost like an enlistment) and for that duration I will work hard to perform my assigned task and will also receive training, mentorship, career options and the opportunities to better the public safety partnership philosophy. A system that is transparent, involved, caring, just, and based on our tried and true Constitution (one that allows for amendments when new ideas come to light). If I don’t have the discipline and maturity to live up to the pledge, then I simply step aside and let someone else step up to the plate (this career path is not for everyone). Public safety needs are 24-7 and they take no vacations. 

Regarding uniforms… How about blaze purple? I might start off my shift helping with traffic control at a construction site, next help facilitate blood donations at a local clinic, then respond to an ill neighbor’s request for food assistance, then tutor a special needs student with their studies and watch over a coworker’s children because that coworker is unable to come home on time because they are fighting a fire elsewhere in our county. 

If I am the team member at the fire or in that clinic I will need to wear the appropriate equipment but for the bulk of my professional work day I will be a caring and committed purple polo shirt wearer, helper, lover and contributor that can (and will) grow and blossom into one of many PubSafePartners.

Moe’s thoughts for your consideration. Thinking outside of this 3D box we are living in.

Moe Molander
Marion