Sandoval Wants To Close NDF fire Stations, John Smith Lies

John Smith, columnist for the for the LVRJ has broke a story that Gov. Brian Sandoval wants to close 3 Nevada Department of Forestry fire stations. But in breaking the news, Smith flat out lies about some facts and figures.
From Smith's article: At the Nevada Division of Forestry, firefighters are jacks-of-all trades.
Because many are stationed on the edge of rural communities with the state’s incredible wild country in their backyards and isolated highways running through the middle of it all, firefighters must wear several hats. They respond to residence and business fires. They are also wildland certified. And they provide emergency service response for everything from ski and hiking accidents to automobile crashes.
In short, they play an essential role in keeping residents and real estate safe. But their role could be changing if Gov. Brian Sandoval has his way.
Sandoval has slated for elimination several important state NDF fire districts in Clark, Elko, and Eureka counties. The new budget proposal also calls for the closure of the Wells Conservation Camp and the elimination of 10 state positions. The Wells camp not only provides fire protection coverage for a broad section of rural Nevada, but its firefighters respond rapidly in a backup capacity for fire districts through the state.
http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/smith/Sandoval_courts_disaster_by_calling_for_fire_station_closures.html
The department of forestry do a lot of other things besides fight fires. they plant trees, build fences and other forestry activities. And yes, they do fight fires, though not that often.
Smith then goes on about closing the fire station by Mount Charleston: Not so in Clark County, where NDF Station 1 stands in upper Kyle Canyon and helps protect Mount Charleston residents surrounded by forest. (Disclosure: I have been a volunteer firefighter at Mount Charleston and for years have watched the NDF professionals save lives and property.)
Eliminating Station 1 would save the state a half dozen firefighter positions, but it would create a burden on local government. A Clark County Fire Department station would need to be built to replace NDF 1 and Volunteer Station 81. Estimated construction cost to residents of Clark County: More than $30 million.
That excludes the cost to provide personnel for the station. The CCFD’s staffing system for even a small station calls for around-the-clock presence of a paramedic, a captain, and two firefighters.
This is where Smith flat out lies. First, it would not even come close to $30 million to build a fire station on Mount Charleston. Further, they already have 2 fire stations a block apart, what's wrong with using both of them? If they had to build a new fire station, which they probably don't, it would cost around $1.5 million at the very most and you are getting a luxury fire station.
Further, Smith says that the small departments need around the clock coverage of a paramedic, a captain and two firefighters? Really? I would like to see that. My ex-wife was injured on a trail in Mount Charleston, about a mile from the fire stations. When the call came out, only 1 Mount Charleston firefighter showed up. Where were the other firefighters? My ex got off the mountain with the help of the NDF firefighters, volunteers and Metro search and rescue.
Further, why is the State protecting a National Park in Mount Charleston? If the Feds cover the cost, that would be great. Then keep the NDF fire station in Mount Charleston. If the Fed's are not covering the costs, then close down the fire station, make Mount Charleston residents pick up the slack and get more volunteers and have the prison crews in Indian Springs help out until the Feds bring in their fire fighting crews. Is it perfect? No, but if the Fed's don't pick up the slack, then the locals need to, not full time state employees.
More lies from Smith: Those Clark County paramedic/firefighters are highly trained, and highly compensated, but by contract they don’t fight forest fires. They are experts when it comes to running emergency rescues and battling residential and commercial structure fires. They don’t fight wildland fire.
The fire fighters on mount Charleston are volunteers- there is no contract. They may be highly trained but they are volunteers- they are not highly compensated, they are volunteers.
So, should the state get out of firefighting on federal land? Of course, unless the Feds will compensate the State and locals for protecting federal land.
And the big question is this: Why does John Smith flat out lie? Has he been drinking too much again?