The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Is On Fire. . .We Don't Need No Water. . .
Lumberton is making headlines again. This time it's concerning the Lumberton Fire Department. The article stated that the City of Lumberton is being asked to return the county owned tanker, but I was under the impression that the county has already taken the tanker. Since I am often accused of stating opinions and not facts, I decided to go to city hall to see what's going on. When I arrived at city hall, the public works director, Danny Davis, was there and he stated that he wasn't given the opportunity to respond to the statement that many of the city's fire hydrants are not operational. He stated that the city has more fire hydrants than ever before, and if any fire hydrants are not operational, he would address the matter in a timely fashion. According to Mayor Holder, the City of Lumberton has it same insurance rating, and the City of Lumberton will still get it's rebates from the state. So not much has changed. Also, I received a copy of the fire protection contract between Lamar County and the City of Lumberton. According to the letter submitted to George Stevens, signed by Mike Chaney, Commissioner of Insurance, the contract with the City of Lumberton does not expire until January 20, 2011 and that contract states that the City of Lumberton will be provided with a 1995 Class A Pumpper, a Model 2007 3500 gallon tanker and a 1999 Ford ambulance used as a rescue vehicle. The tanker has been taken from the City of Lumberton. This has left our fire department without an essential piece of equipment used to protect the residents of Lumberton. Is this another political move on George Stevens part? Is he retailating agaist the City of Lumberton because he didn't get what he wanted in the contact negotiations? Is there anyone on the county level looking out for the residents of Lumberton?
The County already had taken the pumper a while back which Now Rock Hill Has. And Yes they have already taken the Tanker.
ReplyDeleteGood article on what is happening in the Fire Department. The 1995 pumper that was part of the Lamar County contract between the city has also been removed and given to Rock Hill. This information was not reflected in the Hattiesburg American article or your article as it may have not been told. This action by the County Board of Supervisors and County Fire Coordinator George Stevens has weaken the Fire Department's ability to respond with the appropriate amount of equipment in a timely manner to a handle a fire emergency in which an immediate water source is needed. Remember we are talking volunteer departments. This bring the department down to one fire truck that is considered ready for use (baring mechanical issues) and a 1972 pumper is being rebuilt as money is available and but can not be considered fit for duty as the age of the unit makes it hard to obtain a fire service certification that is required for pumper use. We would have to call for assistance from South East and South West departments who would have to respond to their stations pickup their trucks and travel to Lumberton. This takes time and in a fire emergency where someone life is in the balance the outcome may not be in our favor. This sadden me because, we the volunteers that are giving of time and placing our lives on the line to serve our community has been compromised by the Lamar Board of Supervisors and Fire Coordinator George Stevens. Other departments who have extra pumpers were not ask to help provide for the department(Rock Hill) that is getting the Lumberton trucks (WHY), it is political and the good people of Lumberton desire better.
ReplyDeleteWe were reaching a point with the equipment available to say we could provide immediate response with the equipment needed and then use assistance as needed. But in the last several months a pumper and tanker have been taken from us and has placed the department in a bad position. We will continue to provide and respond with what we have left as it our desire to continue our service to the community but please call on your board of supervisors to review the recent action taken and help right a wrong
And then you have county firefighters like lets see Rock Hill One going ALL OVER Lumberton sticking his nose in Lumbertons fire department business and telling everyone how George Stevens is Telling them all not to have ANYTHING to do with Lumberton.. Is this the same George Stevens that stood in front of the County Board of super, and stated that they were not turning their backs on Lumberton.. Seems like someone is talking out of Both sides of their mouths.. Is it George Stevens or is it Rock Hill 1 I think that it is time that Lumberton tells Rock Hill Chief that he has his own department to worry about. and maybe people need to start looking into him. and all his past with other departments.
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