Md. Firefighters Votes For Creation of County Director

Dec. 21--After 19 months of deliberation, the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association has decided on the type of business model it wants. Now, it will have to see if county commissioners will agree.

On Thursday night, volunteer firefighters voted 17-7 in favor of a proposal written by Chip Jewell, a member of the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department. Jewell suggests designating a director of fire and rescue services and creating a fire and rescue board rather than an advisory council.

"It's a two-way street," Jewell said before the vote.

About 60 people showed up for the vote, including county commissioners Blaine Young, Billy Shreve and Paul Smith. They sat silently as association members made their final arguments in favor and against the proposal. Earlier this week, the commissioners shared their opinions during a public hearing that drew about 100 people.

Vaughn Zimmerman, a member of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. board, argued against the proposal, saying it still delegated power away from volunteers.

"We see nothing wrong with the current business policy," Zimmerman said, noting his disapproval of a possible countywide chief that is a part of a plan county commissioners are still considering.

Zimmerman said volunteers could be turned off by the idea.

Frank Davis, chief of the Vigilant Hose Co. in Emmitsburg, disagreed. He argued that faithful volunteers would stick around no matter what is decided.

"The true volunteers are not going anywhere," Davis said. "Our department is in favor of the whole thing."

Davis felt the same way in March when the association voted against a proposed plan for a countywide chief. Back then, the organization voted 16-10 Thursday to draft a fire ordinance designed to streamline authority between paid workers and volunteers.

After that draft was rejected, Jewell went to work and created a new plan with help from county employees.

Jewell has called his plan a compromise between both sides of the issue.

Before his plan was considered, volunteers were worried about too much power being delegated to Thomas Owens, director of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services. A line in Owens' job description regarding his control over all 26 companies had ruffled feathers, too.

County commissioners may still decide to go with the original plan, but volunteers are hoping Jewell's suggestion wins.

The thought of having a countywide chief had been perceived as a loss of power, even though county commissioners said that was only a rumor.

"I know everyone is not going to be happy, but anytime you have change it's hard to make everyone happy," Young said.

The second county public hearing on the proposals is scheduled for Jan. 8.

Copyright 2012 - The Frederick News-Post, Md.