Fla. County Issues Ultimatum to Vol. Firefighters

March 28--GREEN COVE SPRINGS -- The Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department faces an April 15 deadline to sign a contract conceding to Clay County oversight and conforming to its regulations, procedures and policies or lose its authority to provide emergency services.

The Clay County Commission delivered that ultimatum with a unanimous vote Tuesday night. It lauded the volunteer firefighters for their dedication and service over the years. But the commission said the county is responsible and liable for providing emergency services within its boundaries. That makes the county accountable for the actions of the Keystone Heights volunteers. It also subjects the volunteers to the county's supervision, commissioners said.

Unless the department signs the county's proposed contract by next month's deadline, it will be shut down, commissioners said.

"We want you on the team ... But the unique environment of public safety requires a strict chain of command, rules, procedures and tactics," Commissioner Doug Conkey told the volunteer firefighters during Tuesday's meeting.

John Middleton, the department's lawyer, said the county through Fire Chief Lorin Mock is trying to subjugate the volunteer department.

"It is a power play by Chief Mock ...He wants total control. There is going to be a great void in fire protection if they shut down the department and it will put public safety at risk," Middleton said.

Middleton said it's retaliation for an ongoing lawsuit filed by volunteer Fire Chief Kevin Mobley and the department against the county in 2011. The suit involves a dispute about overtime pay and discipline for county-employed firefighters who also volunteer with the department.

County Manager Stephanie Kopelousos said the issue is about managing the risk and liability to the county should negligence by a volunteer firefighter result in death, injury or property damage. The county lacks a valid contract with the volunteer department. Previous efforts to hammer out an agreement have failed, she said.

Kopelousos said the department has ignored Mock's directives involving the chain of command, deployment of fire trucks and reporting their response. Obeying the directives is essential to ensure proper response and protection to the rest of the area, she said.

Mobley told commissioners that in the department's 88-year history, the volunteers have never created a liability case for the county.

Mock denied it is a power grab. He said the county is the primary fire and rescue service provider but the volunteers augment the county personnel. He said the county can cover the area if the Keystone Heights department shuts down.

Established in 1925, the Keystone Heights department is Clay's only volunteer fire and rescue service. It has 42 active firefighters and support staff, none of whom are paid.

The department supplies its own fire vehicles and equipment. The volunteers protect about 45 square miles populated by about 14,400 residents in the Keystone Heights area. The volunteers responded to 128 emergency calls from February through December last year. Middleton said.

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