Special meeting after firefighters resign

KING 5's Natalie Swaby reports.

[vitaly]

If you strip the fire chief and several others follow him out - it tells me a few things:
1-he was a good leader
2-he had respect of the people who work for him
3-that your incompetence as commissioners has ruined the reputation and safety of your town.
4-resignation to save face is your only option.

[Madmac]

There is another video where the chief says he disciplined a member of the fire department for theft. That member is a relative of one of the commissioners. Interesting.

[volunteerpatriot]

When volunteers quit there's a big problem somewhere.

[gadgetcrawford]

Sounds to me like you have commissioners who are ethically challenged. Those fire fighters deserve better.

[dennisgt]

It's really good that people are pushing back against these self entitled government people. Most of them are way out of line, and previously didn't seem to have to answer to anyone. Stand proud and strong people!

[andypressley]

I am a fire fighter in Abbeville sc been doing it for 46 years may the good Lord be with all fire fighters

[hottshot]

I would like to know more about the situation to make a judgement but I myself have been in this situation. I was chief of a volunteer department and the city council was against the department, the township trustees were very easy to deal with. My last night on the department I called the city out on a lie, which they had been lying about for months. Two council members called the department nothing but a car wash club twice in a public meeting. It was at that point I realized that I had been missing time with my family for 15 years and this is what myself and my members ment to these individuals. So anyone with a negative opinion of the department should volunteer and see what it really takes.

[DougsterCanada]

Ever have a job where things are going great for BOTH the business and the employees, then one or two folks come along and strangle the joy out of the employees until they leave? I have had jobs in the past where I was eager to go to work, I got there early, stayed late, even helped out if needed during lunch. It was almost "magical", and the businesses were doing so well we were exceeding our goals, customers were happy, then it happens a pencil pusher, a control freak, a wiz kid comes along and wrecks it.

[tbugher]

LOL, and towns wonder why nobody wants too volunteer anymore.

[engineemt]

I see three admirable things
1- a Chief that stands up to a corrupt council
2- an assistant Chief that stands with their Chief
3- a department that stands as brothers and sisters
The community will become aware of the entire situation
That you can believe

[Tailstraw_xD]

Man, that assistant chief was fired up, no pun intended

[charlesrudish]

What's sad is that there are so many of these little fiefdom's around the country. It all comes down to power. It starts with the city dog catcher all the way up to the Mayor, City Manager or Village Commissioners. I grew up in a little township in Michigan. It sure isn't the money they seek (unless you consider the bribes), it's the power they have over other people.

[terrystephens]

Great to see the community seeking transparency and accountability from its elected leaders.

[arlanc]

As someone who’s been involved with a VFD in varying capacity over the last 5 years, it shocks me that more people haven’t been made aware just how common this is.

While I’ve never personally seen it get so bad that half a department resigned, all 18 fire companies in my county go through some form of heated argument over leadership FREQUENTLY.

Whats more is the amount of VFDs that simply refuse to offer/accept help from neighboring departments, and would rather wait for mutual aid that realistically shouldn’t even be called until the 2nd or even 3rd alarm, is actually kind of scary.

There are people all over this country that have lost their homes or other property because a fire chief didn’t like the neighboring FD, so he waited 20-30 minutes for help.

These kinds of things really make you stop and think - does this already severely limited service have my best interest in heart? Or are they more worried about making a point to their enemies.

Its for this reason that Im not entirely opposed to municipalities having a say in (and taking a more active role in) VFDs, so long as they are only involved with administration, and have no say on a fire ground they know nothing about.

[GeneralG]

So basically a guy who was good at his job was forced to quit because he wouldn't do what some clueless bureaucrats wanted him to

[thegimpygamer]

They should bring back the old tar and feather for corrupt politicians. with those occupying seats they weren't elected

[EpicTreasurePostcards]

Let's see how these "elected officials" like it when THEIR house catches fire and nobody responds!

[rampagenelson]

he looked like he was gonna cry when he said you ran against me😂😂😂😂😂

[Blazefork]

The ONLY purpose a board has is to manage the budgetary end of the fire department, they have no business managing the day to day operations or the department members, let the men and women actually responding sort that out.

[tankcommander]

I never understood why city managers and commissioners think they dictate day to day operations if police and fire departments.