Investigation of Fire and Emergency Services by the Hagerstown Herald

[Theresa]

I figured a HOT topic like this would eventually end up in thunderdome, so I figured I would start off here. The Herald has spent one year researching the way money is raised , distributed and reported ( or not reported) in Washington County MD. So first off, kudos to the Herald for dedicating their resources to lift the veil on the mystery that is local volunteer Fire companies.

This series raises so many question about the administration of our own Fire and Emergency Services and at the same time convinces me that we will never get this level of examination in Jefferson County.
Still , very informative -
http://www.herald-mail.com/news/fire-rescue-files/

[KatherineA]

This could never happened here? Right????? an excerpt from the article.

"So, when the financials come in, taxpayers might expect the Division of Emergency Services would examine the reports — before sending more money.

But that hardly ever happens — not then or even later in the year."

[Tony]

Difficult link to follow, and a lot of awfully dry reporting. More questions than answers.

[faithwalk]

is our fire department opened back up yet?

[Willis]

is our fire department opened back up yet?

NOTE:

The fire company hasn't been closed.

The ambulance service was suspended pending an investigation and we're being served by Harpers Ferry and Independent plus personnel stationed part-time at the LE office next to BRE. Not ideal but at least there are responders.

I'm unsure of the status of the EMT investigation or whether Company 5 is being investigated concurrently.

BUT

Company 5 is responding to fire calls.

[faithwalk]

Thank you Willis. Good to know.

[derricksonb]

Difficult link to follow, and a lot of awfully dry reporting. More questions than answers.

What questions about the reporting or situation do you have after reading the article? Perhaps asking them here could spark further discussion on the issue and how the OP is trying to connect the story to BRMVFC5.

[Tony]

What questions about the reporting or situation do you have after reading the article?It seems they took my advice and have reorganized that landing page. Now at least it seems to feature a single article, but still apparently links to 9 separate articles.

No questions here, I was just referring to the reporting - that the reporter is asking a lot of questions but not laying out answers to those questions. May not be the reporter's fault. But that makes for some pretty dry reading.

[derricksonb]

I agree with you on the dry reporting with no real answers.

[BigTom]

If y'all are that worried about the finances of the local volunteer fire company why doesn't somebody put forth the effort to investigate them and track the money? If the Herald Mail in Hagerstown can do it there I imagine somebody could do the same thing here. Let's show that there are actual financial abuses at the fire house rather than just assuming there are. I know they've had issues in the past but does anybody have any evidence that there are current problems?

[Jeremy]

NOTE:


I'm unsure of the status of the EMT investigation or whether Company 5 is being investigated concurrently.

BUT


Company 5 is responding to fire calls.

Suspension of Blue Ridge EMS License "should" be lifted by the end of the week according to Upper Management that have been in contact with the State Office.. I'll post Friday with all the updates.

[Willis]

see the topic posted HERE (http://www.shannondale.org/forum/showthread.php?24176-Emergency-Services-Agency-Board-Looking-for-CITIZEN-Rep). It would be great if an impartial citizen could be part of the process

[Hose292]

Heard brmvfc sold one of there ambulances does anyone know why?

[Jeremy]

Heard brmvfc sold one of there ambulances does anyone know why?

Yes, it was costing the department too much money in the long run to keep the second unit in service due to the unit not making enough revenue. Also with less call volume and with a smaller membership department it was in the best interest to sell the unit. They now will operate with one ambulance and a medic chase unit, there are some pros and cons to this decision(like every decision someone makes.)

[Neophyte Man]

Yes, it was costing the department too much money in the long run to keep the second unit in service due to the unit not making enough revenue. Also with less call volume and with a smaller membership department it was in the best interest to sell the unit. They now will operate with one ambulance and a medic chase unit, there are some pros and cons to this decision(like every decision someone makes.) Who did they sell it to? Is it true they sold it for $24,000. with $50,000 worth of equipment on it? Or did they take the equipment out before they sold it? You are right pros and cons, so this is just ?'s

[Nanuk]

We don't have a volunteer fire department here. we have a corruption-filled social club that revolves around and benefits a few families exclusively. When one gets caught stealing from it or misusing it's assets, another member of their family always seems to pop right up into the next vacant leadership position. It's time to throw some chlorine into that pool, or better yet, just get rid of it and pay for a real 24/7 fire department, ideally with the provision that no one associated with the current train wreck that is Co. 5 be given employment in the new one.

[Jeremy]

Who did they sell it to? Is it true they sold it for $24,000. with $50,000 worth of equipment on it? Or did they take the equipment out before they sold it? You are right pros and cons, so this is just ?'s

Ryneal Medical Transport bought the unit. I do not know the amount of money that was paid for the unit but the unit was stripped only left with a stretcher.

[Jeremy]

We don't have a volunteer fire department here. we have a corruption-filled social club that revolves around and benefits a few families exclusively. When one gets caught stealing from it or misusing it's assets, another member of their family always seems to pop right up into the next vacant leadership position. It's time to throw some chlorine into that pool, or better yet, just get rid of it and pay for a real 24/7 fire department, ideally with the provision that no one associated with the current train wreck that is Co. 5 be given employment in the new one.

I respect your opinion on the issue but believe I should not be held accountable or "Pointed Out" as receiving benefits or misusing the departments assets since a relative of mine did. I've been straight forward with everything and to serve my community the best I can. (I'm in no leadership Position). I did attend the last membership meeting and met with numerous of new members coming in wanting to help which is great. I did bring up a possibility to have two individuals from the community be placed on the board to represent "The Community" I also did get to meet a few "New Faces" with a lot of skill and knowledge to take the leadership roles for the department.

[Kensey]

If y'all are that worried about the finances of the local volunteer fire company why doesn't somebody put forth the effort to investigate them and track the money? If the Herald Mail in Hagerstown can do it there I imagine somebody could do the same thing here. Let's show that there are actual financial abuses at the fire house rather than just assuming there are.

I know it was talked about the last time these sorts of issues came to a head -- summer 2008 -- but I don't know if the books were/are opened or if any kind of community audit was done.

[Willis]

If y'all are that worried about the finances of the local volunteer fire company why doesn't somebody put forth the effort to investigate them and track the money? If the Herald Mail in Hagerstown can do it there I imagine somebody could do the same thing here. Let's show that there are actual financial abuses at the fire house rather than just assuming there are. I know they've had issues in the past but does anybody have any evidence that there are current problems?


I know it was talked about the last time these sorts of issues came to a head -- summer 2008 -- but I don't know if the books were/are opened or if any kind of community audit was done.

A complete and public audit of Company 5 is not "optional"at this point if the department wants to regain community trust. There needs to be a complete airing of all operations. It's to the benefit of Company 5 and the community it serves. If this isn't required by the "powers that be" then someone is dropping the ball and we all lose.