For comparison: Hoboken, N.J. is a one-square-mile city with a population of 38,000 year-round residents, and employs 93 full-time firemen (regular and officers). The island of Wildwood, four towns and approximately 4,200 to 5,800 year-round "winter" residents, employs approximately 80 paid firemen (full-time and part-time) and between 20 to 40 volunteers. This is why taxes are high on the island compared to other communities, and the comparison would be similar for the police departments on the island. I wish the state mandated consolidation.