Feb. 08--Representatives of fire departments say they were within their rights to drive department vehicles to a St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators meeting Monday in support of ousted Emergency Services Director Martin J. Hassett.
"I know some people might frown on that," said Steven M. Young, chief of the Gouverneur Fire Department, which brought its utility vehicle. "I'm sure the fire departments will get some flak over that. There's also that concern for what's happening and standing up for what we believe is right."
The siren-blaring when the firefighters left the board meeting was a result of frustration with legislators.
"Everyone has their own opinion whether their actions were warranted. That's not for me to say," said Robert E. Kerr, Norfolk, a member of the county Fire Advisory Board who told legislators Mr. Hassett should have a chance to defend himself. "Under the circumstances, they were disappointed."
Fire Advisory Board Chairman Adrian J. Bush was unable to make the meeting but said the siren soundoff was probably a spontaneous reaction to the Legislature's refusal to review Mr. Hassett's resignation.
"It's a brotherhood of firefighters that band together," he said.
Mr. Young said fire departments have been left out of any discussion about Mr. Hassett.
"We were totally out of the loop. We were never asked, never told anything," Mr. Young said. "We made a little noise because we were shut out."
Many of the 60-plus firefighters and emergency medical volunteers who attended the meeting came in vehicles from the departments of Hermon, Richville, Edwards, Pyrites, Gouverneur and Russell, the stomping ground of Mr. Hassett, who lives in Richville.
"We were supporting Mr. Hassett 100 percent," said Dale F. Barker, Edwards Fire Department chief, who was unable to make the meeting. "Marty Hassett has done a tremendous job for us."
Mr. Barker said the department freed up its brush truck for the meeting to make a visual statement of support, along with vehicles from other departments.
Edwards is regulated by a fire district, which had representative commissioners at the meeting and which sent a letter on behalf of Mr. Hassett.
"That shows there was support from the district as well as from the firemen," Mr. Barker said. "Most of the firemen are taxpayers."
Firetrucks are often not the direct property of taxpayers.
"Each department, whether they are independent, part of a municipality or fire district, have their own internal guidelines on the use of vehicles so I would be remiss to comment," Mr. Kerr said.
Mr. Young said it is not the first time that people have questioned how Gouverneur, an independent fire department, uses its trucks, whether it be in a parade, at a funeral, to attend training, to go to a meeting or even how many are used to fight a fire.
"There's always that element," he said. "people who want to view it in a negative form."
The meeting with legislators gave firefighters the chance to put in their 2 cents about restructuring the county Office of Emergency Services.
"I would certainly argue there would be a need to do that," Mr. Kerr said. "I think that's a positive takeaway on my part."
Canton Fire Chief Michael E. Dalton, who did not attend the meeting, said he hoped the county would not wait too long.
"I think it's important the county finds an appropriate replacement and that it's done with a bit of urgency," he said. "We depend on the support of the dispatchers. Having a good replacement is important to us."
Copyright 2012 - Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
