Privatization of public services

We all have read the headlines about the recession, unemployment rates, lack of public funds, and the struggling local governments trying to come up with creative ways to patch up the limping budgets.  What public services can be utilized to earn some mas dineros?  Quite a few.

For starters, how about fire trucks?  Baltimore City Council member William "Pete" Welch, is willing to allow advertisements on fire trucks to inject some cash into failing fire stations.  The money would be used at the discretion of firefighters at each station.

Photo by andrewmalone via Flickr CC

The full article can be read on the Public Radio International website:

Cities across the country are considering the question of paid sponsorship — selling advertisements to raise money.
During the recession, KFC has placed ads on manhole covers and fire hydrants in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee in exchange for paying for cities' infrastructure costs.
In Philadelphia, McDonald's has put ads on transit fare cards, and in Utah, pizza chains are now advertising on some school buses.

What ever happened to the tax revenue money that city collects?  Will Pizza Hut or Subway vehicle decals or uniform badges pay for the firefighter pensions as well?  Would Home Depot receive quicker service because fire trucks are covered in orange stickers?  Can local news report that today's apartment building fire is brought to you by Starbucks?  

Not so fast.  Below are some ideas on how to handle this hot potato of a burning subject.  

1. Privatize the Fire Departments - cities would sign a three year contract for emergency services based on affordability and quality.  Added bonus: community would be free of any future pensions.  

2. Let insurance companies run Fire Departments - you still would receive the service but the cost would be included in the home insurance (homeowners) or emergency fee (renters).  Added bonus: customers could shop around and change their providers.  Competition would lower the costs.

3. Trim the costs - since average household needs to cut down on spending and look for savings, why not run that fire truck for couple more years?

4. Have a tax referendum - allow more spending transparency so the general public is well informed where the money is going.  People do not like waste but they will understand a need.

The bottom line is, well, the bottom line.  If you can't afford something, separate your wants from your needs and then make a decision.  Firefighters job is saving people's lives and protecting property.  Running advertising campaigns and selling fire truck space is simply wacky.