HAMPTON, Iowa (AP) -- The 21 Hampton volunteer firefighters who threatened to quit if they weren't allowed to have beer in the firehouse have backed away from their demand and have apologized to the community.
And Jeff Ferris, who resigned as fire chief on Aug. 9, has been reinstated, according to Kevin Wilkinson, the assistant chief who replaced Ferris as chief.
``We just want to put all of this behind us. There isn't much more I can say that isn't said in the statement from the department,'' said Wilkinson.
The council tabled action on the matter at its Aug. 10 meeting.
Firefighters held a special meeting later in the week and issued a statement afterward, which said in part, ``The Hampton Fire Department has always been quick to react. When the fire alarm sounds, we quickly respond and professionally put out the fire, remove the accident victim from the vehicle or handle whatever the problem may be.''
The statement goes on to say that the department also acted quickly when members thought they had been discredited by the City Council.
``We should have stopped, evaluated the situation, gathered all the facts and then made our plan on how to resolve the problem. The Hampton Fire Department apologizes to all the people this has affected.''
The furor began when the council considered a resolution adopting an alcohol-free environment policy in all public buildings, lands (except parks) and vehicles owned by the city.
A Hampton radio station, in reporting the proposal, mentioned that it applied to public buildings such as the fire house. The volunteer firefighters, thinking the city had singled them out, threatened to resign in protest.
City manager Ron Dunt said he expects the resolution banning alcohol on public property to be back on the agenda when the council meets Tuesday.
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