By Kevin Aldridge
Enquirer staff writer

GREEN TOWNSHIP - Firefighters in Hamilton County's second-largest township say they need more money to continue doing their job effectively in the midst of commercial and residential growth.

Fire officials say a 1.5-mill police and fire levy placed on the Nov. 2 ballot by township trustees last week won't generate enough to hire more personnel or provide training. The money, they say, would only maintain the status quo, which already fails to meet some national fire protection standards.

Green Twp. fireman and paramedic Brian Burbrink helps clean off the Quint ladder truck. (Enquirer photo/ERNEST COLEMAN)

Calls for fire and emergency medical services in Green Township have increased by more than 70 percent since 1990, but response times have slipped to as long as 10 minutes in some instances. Fire officials say because of personnel cuts, three of the township's four fire stations cannot handle fire and medical calls simultaneously.

Firefighters say without more money for personnel, it's just a matter of time before they don't arrive at an emergency in time.

"Historically, we've been lucky that these problems have not been exposed," said Fire Lt. Scott Souders. "Something is going to give. It's just a matter of time."

The township's annual budget runs about $25.8 million, but it has struggled in recent years, largely because of state funding cuts.

A financial review committee, formed by trustees in April, projected a general fund deficit of more than $1.6 million by 2006 unless cuts were made or new sources of revenue found.

Along with the 1.5-mill levy for police and fire services, voters will also see a 1-mill levy for general fund operations. The two levies combined would generate about $2.7 million. The levies would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $75 a year.

Trustees also approved "soft billing" for ambulance runs that could generate another $800,000 a year. Insurance companies - not residents - would be billed.

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E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com