I don't know how it works in the States, but instead of sending emails, would it not be much more "efficient", to actually go and talk to the PD or FD Chiefs ?
(if it's not too far away...)
I am a fan of Emailing, because it's supposed to be as fast as a phone call, with the advantage of being less disturbing and with all the advantages of a written letter (permanence, posibilituy to delay the answer...
OTOH, nothing replaces direct human contact.
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Alain