We have to confront the reality that Sutter Creek needs the full time emergency response personnel that the Gold Rush Ranch project has offered. The Gold Rush project will not only meet its required costs for fire safety, but go above and beyond by providing additional ongoing funds for new fire protection and paramedics for existing residents.
Our volunteer firefighters are heroes. But they will be the first to tell you that our current response system needs full time response to meet the requirements of our older population. That's because in these tough economic times, many of our volunteers have been forced to find work further from Sutter Creek, making rapid response within the first few vital minutes unrealistic.
While many seem focused on Gold Rush's parks, schools and hiking trails, I would encourage readers to first consider Gold Rush's boost to our public medical and fire safety. We will all be safer because of the Gold Rush project.