My name is Nic Skulski, and I served as a volunteer in the Silton Fire Department for several years. Serving this community was not just a duty, but an honor and a deep personal commitment. However, the current lack of transparency and accountability in the fire department's governance has prevented not only myself, but many dedicated individuals from contributing to a service that is vital for our safety and well-being.

Currently, the financial decision-making of the Silton Fire Department are carried out with minimal input from the communities it is meant to protect  and who fund it. This has resulted in no clarity on where funds are being allocated or ability for us to acquire the equipment we need. It has also demoralized the entire hall and endangered the safety of those communities directly as we are no longer taking calls and they will be redirected to other halls which will increase response times. 

Calling pbi building inspectors to look at a building that was causing our equipment to mold and asking for the creation of a regional council to be accountable to the people that fund us should not be grounds for dismissal of the chief and deputy chief outright without even as much as a public council meeting. 

There is urgency in re-establishing trust and collaboration between the fire department and the people it serves. Community governance would ensure that decisions are made with the full knowledge and participation of those who have local insights and genuine stakes in these matters.

By aligning the department's governing body with the community's needs, we can create a more effective service, increase transparency, and renew a commitment to public safety. This shift would facilitate regular community meetings, allow for residents' direct input on critical safety strategies, and ensure financial accountability through regular audits accessible to the public.

This petition calls for the immediate restructuring of the fire department’s governance model. This means transforming it from being a closed operation to one that embraces a participatory approach, reflective of the best practices seen in community-oriented emergency services across the country.

Silton and surrounding area deserves a fire department that operates with integrity, accountability, and genuine community spirit. Stand with me in making this change a reality. Please, join me in signing this petition to ensure that the Silton Fire Department operates under a model of governance that truly serves and honors our community’s needs and priorities.