A consultant reviewing the Albert Lea Fire Department confirmed this month what many people knew: Staffing the department on a volunteer basis would be disastrous.

Sure, it would save money in the short term, but in the long run, homeowners, businesses and industries would pay more for insurance. There would be an increase in property losses due to fires. And there would be an increase in injuries and loss of life.

One aspect we would add is this: Turning the fire department into an all-volunteer or part-volunteer staff would hurt the ability of economic developers to recruit businesses in Albert Lea or to expand the ones already here.

Sure, companies want to save on taxes, but they don’t want to save so much that they cannot benefit from necessary services. There are many examples. Here are some: They want good schools for the children of their employees. They want good roads to move their goods. They want police to provide safety and security for their business property and for their workers. And they want reliable fire services. There is a vast difference between a fire department that responds swiftly enough to get production going again in the next day or two and one that results in the entire plant closing down for good.

Because Farmland Foods was slow to call for help when a cutting torch ignited a fire in July 2001, Albert Lea learned this lesson firsthand. Five hundred jobs were lost.

Fortunately, other businesses in Albert Lea call immediately. Tribune readers have read time and again about swift Albert Lea Fire Department responses to fires at local worksites.

Let’s be clear about our stance: Turning the Albert Lea Fire Department into a volunteer staff would hurt jobs. If the tight economy lingers through the decade, some cities are going to retain jobs and some are going to struggle mightily. Having the right economic tools in place will make a difference. A solid fire department is one of those tools.