As I watch the wake of death and destruction left behind by covid-19, I can’t help but think about the health of our first responders. This extends past our medical professionals into the realm of police officers and fire fighters. Each of these groups provides critical services that are absolutely essential to hold together the fabric of our society. But what happens if they get sick? Our police and fire are humans just like the rest of us… just as human as the more than 1,000 NYPD officers that have tested positive. Approximately 20% of their 55,000 person staff is currently out sick.
Does Salem have a plan to offer support and augment police and fire if this situation rears its head here? We should. We are required to. It appears that we once did. As part of the Act of 1950 Civil Defense Act (the authority that serves as the basis for a Governor-declared State of Emergency), each city and town in Massachusetts was directed to establish a local organization for civil defense. This organization is supposed to consist of volunteer police and fire fighters that could assist in the event of an emergency.
But when I tried to locate Salem’s organization online, I found a dead end. Nothing turned up on the City of Salem website, and a listing I found on Google titled “Salem Civil Defense” was marked as being “permanently closed.” Permanently closed??? Salem, we have a problem.
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It is possible that an organization still exists here in Salem, and if anyone can find it, please send updates! Perhaps I just didn’t know where to search in order to verify its existence. However, if it does NOT exist, it is imperative that we address this immediately in order to avoid a potentially dangerous situation down the road.
I am calling on Mayor Driscoll and the City Council to take up this business right away.
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I am a lifelong resident with a military background. I, for one, would be one of the first in line. I know there are others too… just waiting for the call. The people of Salem are amazing people with kind hearts. I know that if we sounded the horn for volunteers, we would see an outpouring from residents eager to step up and help our people, our city, and our first responders.
Act now. We are ready for the call.