Sept. 03--The fate of the Lead Mines Rescue Squad was debated during Tuesday's Wythe County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The discussion came as supervisors approved re-allocating Lead Mines rescue equipment so that the Wythe County Rescue Squad can use it to cover the eastern end of the county. The measure was approved 5-2 with Supervisors Coy McRoberts, who represents the Leads Mines district, and Gary Houseman opposing.
Before the vote, Board Chairman Danny McDaniel promised that the board will re-visit the issue of re-organizing the Lead Mines squad in coming months.
"But, right now, the main thing is getting the trucks in service as quickly as possible," he said. "I will bring up the matter (re-organization) personally, if necessary."
The board disbanded the Lead Mines squad Aug. 14 after reports of inefficient service, including multiple failures to respond to the emergency requests of residents. The board also has concerns about the former squad's management and business plan.
For the Wythe County Rescue Squad to take over the Lead Mines ambulances, the Virginia Department of Health has to re-license the trucks to the WCRS. The trucks will also have to be re-painted because the name on the truck must match the name on the license.
County officials could not give a timeframe of when the former Lead Mines ambulances will return to service.
McRoberts worried that changing the name on the truck and re-licensing the equipment spells the end for the Lead Mines squad, which he hopes will be re-organized.
"This would basically eliminate the Lead Mines Rescue Squad and put everything under the control of the county," he said. "I'm not sure this will set well with residents. We let two or three people in who ruined it. We need to discuss this more. There are enough responsible people to start it back up and we haven't given them a chance. We gave Speedwell a chance."
Last year, the supervisors disbanded, then re-organized the Speedwell Volunteer Fire Department.
Houseman said he agrees that the county needs to take over the Lead Mines operation to set service and protocol, but does not want to see the name Lead Mines go away. Houseman chairs the board's fire and rescue committee.
"The Lead Mines Rescue Squad has been a positive force in the community and only ran into problems recently," Houseman said. "I don't object to the reorganization; I simply object to the names Lead Mines disappearing."
County officials said there are a "multitude" of ways the name can be changed after the re-organization to include Wythe County and/or Lead Mines.
"But the name on the truck has to be the name on the license," he said.
"Whatever the name is, we need to reorganize and fix the problem and give them the service they deserve. We need to get adequate vehicles back in service," said Supervisor Tim Reeves. "We still have a lot of work to do."
Supervisor Gene Horney, who represents Speedwell, said that re-organizing a rescue squad is more complicated than re-organizing a fire department.
"Rescue squads and fire departments are two different animals," Horney said.
"They may be different," McRoberts replied. "But we are dealing with the same people, county people."
To reach Millie Rothrock, call 228-6611, ext. 35, or email [email protected]
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