Sarah Glatt, Westford resident
I am writing to urge my fellow residents to consider the full effects of the proposed override on all town departments. At risk are positions for 911 emergency dispatchers, fire personnel, ambulance crews, and police officers as well as being able to keep all of the fire stations open and staffed throughout the week. We need to ensure that emergency responders are fully staffed.
Last year, my husband had a heart attack and, despite excellent medical care, is at high risk of having another in the future. I want to know that if he does, someone will answer my 911 call promptly and that trained responders will be on our doorstep within moments.
If we don’t pass the override, we will lay off first responders and dispatchers and risk temporary closures of a fire station during some shifts. Response times will increase and the help you or your loved one needs may not be there when you need them. We know seconds count in medical, fire, and emergency situations and waiting on a crew to return from another call or hospital run or to come from a nearby town may have significant life altering consequences.
Please join me in voting yes for the override to ensure that my family and yours will have the caring and immediate responses we need in an emergency.
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