Virginia Fire Department Hires Axed by Lawmakers

The new majority on the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors has never voted to repeal a $5.5 million plan approved in November to ensure 24/7 fire and rescue coverage.

But County Administrator Doug Barnes has not authorized the hiring of any additional personnel.

"I've never known the county administrator to sway from the direction of the Board of Supervisors," veteran Supervisor Benjamin Pitts said at a meeting Tuesday night.

On Nov. 10, supervisors--four of whom are no longer in office--voted to hire 24 additional fire and rescue personnel by April 1 of this year, 18 more by Oct. 1 and another 10 by April 1, 2013. The plan also included an additional 18 employees for a station scheduled to open in July 2013.

The Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management Department has received about 600 applications since the county approved those jobs.

At this week's meeting, Pitts made a motion to approve hiring 24 firefighters--the first phase of last year's plan--effective immediately.

The motion failed 3–4, with Supervisors Ann Heidig, Paul Trampe, David Ross and Timothy McLaughlin--who were elected last year on a conservative platform--voting against the new hires.

Pitts, Gary Skinner and Emmitt Marshall supported the measure.

"I think we've got to do a more thorough analysis," McLaughlin said. "The decision was made two days after the election, and I felt like it was rushed."

In an interview Wednesday, Ross said: "It's something we need to think about, and make sure it's the best way to provide fire and rescue service at the lowest cost for all Spotsylvania County residents."

The county, Pitts said, is spending $30,000 every weekend to pay firefighters overtime at rural stations in Partlow, Wilderness and Belmont. Volunteers are unable to staff those stations on weekends.

The 24 new positions, which would cost about $1.5 million annually, would remove the need for that overtime.

"I would submit that we can buy it cheaper than we can rent it," Pitts said in an interview Wednesday.

Barnes said he didn't authorize the fire-and-rescue plan approved last year because he wanted to ensure the new majority was comfortable with it. He said he didn't want to start hiring people only to "turn around and do something differently."

"The decision to not move ahead was mine and mine solely, and I take that responsibility," Barnes said. He said he made the call with "very good intentions."

The new supervisors have indicated the county may be able to achieve sufficient emergency coverage for less money than under the plan approved last year.

Ross said he's not sure why they haven't re-voted on last year's hiring package, and said he thinks they should do so as soon as possible.

A house fire in February 2010 that claimed the life of a 42-year-old Chancellor woman focused attention on problems with the county's emergency response system.

Barnes' proposed 2012–13 budget includes 12 additional full-time firefighters and several part-timers. The county is also applying for a $2.4 million federal grant that would fund 18 firefighters for two years.

"I just feel that what Mr. Pitts' resolution is aiming at is what we're already doing in the budget process," Trampe said.

McLaughlin noted that the county's Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commission meets Wednesday and will re-evaluate fire and rescue needs. He and Trampe were recently appointed to the reconfigured commission.

Last month, the commission endorsed the 24/7 fire and rescue plan approved last year. Its three representatives from volunteer departments cast the dissenting votes.

Shortly thereafter, supervisors voted to add two supervisors to the commission, eliminate its hospital representatives, remove one of the two citizen representatives and add a second commissioner from Chancellor Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Pitts noted that he lives in a suburban part of the county that is blessed with a fully staffed fire station. He thinks all residents should have the same level of service.

"I don't care what part of the county you live in," he said. "If you need a fire unit or a rescue unit, you should not be denied that coverage because you live in a rural part of the county."

Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402

[email protected]

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF, PROPONENT OF CHANGE RESIGNS

Spotsylvania Deputy Fire Chief Monty Willaford is resigning after a little more than a year with the county.

At a work session this week, Supervisor Benjamin Pitts thanked Willaford for his service.

Willaford said he's resigning March 18, but he wouldn't give a reason for his departure. He did tell supervisors he wished he could have stayed longer.

Willaford was a strong supporter of last year's plan to provide around-the-clock fire and rescue coverage throughout Spotsylvania.

He also helped spearhead changes recommended in a 2010 state study--including a combination system of career and volunteer firefighters.

Pitts said he hates to see Willaford leave, and Supervisor Ann Heidig said the county was "losing a fine man." The vacancy will be filled, County Administrator Doug Barnes said.

"One thing I admired about you is you were straightforward," Pitts told Willaford.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service