[cifnmedia] Fire chief proposes changes to ease conflict - delmarvanow.com
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- Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 09:52:58 -0400
Fire chief proposes changes to ease conflict - delmarvanow.com
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USATODAY.com
Monday, July 5, 2004
Local News
Fire chief proposes changes to ease conflict
By Joe E. Carmean Jr.
Daily Times Staff Writer
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SALISBURY -- Fire Chief David See said he wants to make changes to
Salisbury's embattled fire department that he hopes will end the conflicts with
volunteer firefighters that have plagued the city for more than a year.
"The chief is making some recommendations that are go-ing to better
define the organization and help everybody understand where they fit in," City
Councilman Gary Comegys said. "Hopefully these changes will eliminate some of
the gray areas that have caused contention."
The city charter does not include that three independent volunteer
corporations serve the Salisbury Fire Department, See said.
But John Bartkovich, vice president of Salisbury's Station 2
volunteer fire company, said they will cease to be independent corporations
once they are added to the charter.
"They don't think the volunteers are going to go for that," he said
Friday. "What happens next I don't know. I assume we become part of the charter
or not be part of the city fire department."
See said the code change will mean the city will recognize
officially the volunteer corporations as part of the Salisbury Fire Department.
"Joining all three volunteer stations into one or removing their
independent nonprofit status has never been the intention and is absolutely not
the case," he said Friday. "But, the city is also not going to recognize any
corporation and expect them not to adhere to the rules, regulations and
policies of the charter. We're committed to a true combination fire
department."
See said other changes will target volunteers who are not
maintaining fitness and training requirements.
"We're trying to establish who our active volunteer members are,"
he said. "We want to know who qualifies as an active service provider and
identify deficiencies to get those members up to where we need them to be."
The charter now recognizes 105 active volunteers. See said the
amendments will increase the number to 120.
In some cases, volunteer companies garner funding from Wicomico
County. See said his proposed charter changes will not force volunteers to
relinquish funds to the city.
"There will be committees established at the volunteer companies
who will work with the fire chief to make sure money is spent appropriately,"
he said. "... if (volunteer firefighters) are willing to take a real hard look
at what we're trying to do, they will see that it is the right thing for the
fire department."
City Council President Mike Dunn said the five-member City Council
agrees there needs to be a "firm line of command pointing to the fire chief."
"Some of the volunteers believe they have a volunteer line of
command and a professional line of command," he said. "We believe there needs
to be one line with a volunteer and professional component."
Dunn said council members want to re-establish order in the fire
department.
"We're not trying to do anything to the volunteer culture because
we need it, but we can't continue having these rebellions," he said. "It's not
good for the city, so we're trying to take care of our problem."
But Harold Scott, Station 2 president, said city officials are
attempting to take control away from the volunteer companies.
"This is the way they can get rid of Station 2," he said.
Comegys said the charter changes are designed to clarify the
volunteer companies' roles in the Salisbury Fire Department.
"It is going to define the chief's power and (the volunteers')
power and once you clarify those roles, it will clear up some of these issues
we've been having. There is no defined law or policy, so in the absence of that
it's left up to everybody's interpretation," he said. "I'm just hoping we can
put an end to all of this fighting and get back to working toward the mission
of serving the community."
Reach Joe E. Carmean Jr. at 410-845-4635 or
jcarmean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Originally published Monday, July 5, 2004
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