JEFFERSON TWP -- An already struggling small
fire department is now on the brink of collapse after two resignations
were submitted at a regular trustees meeting.
It all started with a letter that circulated throughout Jefferson Township in Greene County, which basically accused the trustees of using tax dollars to pay other departments to go out on runs. Trustees say they have no choice because Jefferson Twp. fire is so short staffed.
Wednesday night, Fire Chief Linkey Liming and his wife, who's an EMT, handed their resignations to the trustees. The department only has about six active volunteers and now it has even less.
"Due to curtain circumstances beyond our control, we need to walk away. When my wife left here, she was in tears," Liming said.
The township has been using a big chunk of its $74,000 fire budget to pay adjoining jurisdictions to make EMS runs simply because Jefferson Twp. fire doesn't have enough volunteers, despite a sign out front begging for help.
"There are people who's lives are in peril. It's sad . When you don't have enough people and are understaffed there's nothing you can do," said Jefferson Twp. Firefighter Rob Simons.
"We can't make all our runs because lack of staffing, but this flier also says we shouldn't have to pay anyone to help us out and I don't understand that. You got to do one or the other," said Trustee Mark Klingler.
The comments on the flier said trustees should use the money they pay other departments to entice more volunteers to sign up. But the trustees don't think that would work either because they believe few people will be willing to undergo all the training required, while holding down a full time job.
The trustees announced Wednesday night, they're signing an official contract to pay Silvercreek and New Jasper Township for EMS runs. They say if they get more certified volunteers, they'll cancel the contract.
It all started with a letter that circulated throughout Jefferson Township in Greene County, which basically accused the trustees of using tax dollars to pay other departments to go out on runs. Trustees say they have no choice because Jefferson Twp. fire is so short staffed.
Wednesday night, Fire Chief Linkey Liming and his wife, who's an EMT, handed their resignations to the trustees. The department only has about six active volunteers and now it has even less.
"Due to curtain circumstances beyond our control, we need to walk away. When my wife left here, she was in tears," Liming said.
The township has been using a big chunk of its $74,000 fire budget to pay adjoining jurisdictions to make EMS runs simply because Jefferson Twp. fire doesn't have enough volunteers, despite a sign out front begging for help.
"There are people who's lives are in peril. It's sad . When you don't have enough people and are understaffed there's nothing you can do," said Jefferson Twp. Firefighter Rob Simons.
"We can't make all our runs because lack of staffing, but this flier also says we shouldn't have to pay anyone to help us out and I don't understand that. You got to do one or the other," said Trustee Mark Klingler.
The comments on the flier said trustees should use the money they pay other departments to entice more volunteers to sign up. But the trustees don't think that would work either because they believe few people will be willing to undergo all the training required, while holding down a full time job.
The trustees announced Wednesday night, they're signing an official contract to pay Silvercreek and New Jasper Township for EMS runs. They say if they get more certified volunteers, they'll cancel the contract.
