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Sunny Hills fire department update - new information
The New Sunny Hills Fire Service is in operation, but Washington County is looking for equipment for the trucks.
County Administrator Pete Herbert and Public Safety Director Roger Dale Hagan went to the Sunny Hills fire house Monday morning to take possession of equipment that they believe the county owns. They were able to take possession of two trucks but were unable to take possession of other equipment due to legal action taken by the former fire service provider.
Herbert said that Greenhead, Country Oaks and Wausau volunteer fire departments are backing up Sunny Hills and will answer as primary until Wednesday. He said to call 911 as usual for response.
Paperwork was filed earlier this week on behalf of the Sunny Hills Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to prevent the county from taking equipment SHVFD claims it owns. The paperwork was sent by Circuit Judge Allen Register to be reviewed and the reviewer said that the paperwork was not legal as it was filed on behalf of an organization. Register gave the plaintiffs 20 days to respond. For the time being the disputed equipment remains in place at the fire house that is owned by SHVFD, Inc.
Herbert, Hagan and Commissioner Strickland said they would consult County Attorney Gerald Holley on their next course of action. In the meantime Herbert said that the County was having a flat tire on one truck fixed and was rounding up equipment, including hoses, from various sources. Herbert said he expected that to take a day or two.
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted at its last meeting to have the two sides enter into mediation over the issue, and if that failed then the Sunny Hills Fire Service would take over as fire service provider on Nov. 30 as per the contract. Efforts to mediate the issue were not successful.
More coverage as the story develops.
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| The little resolution you refer to has been ditched by the county when they told the fire chiefs assocation they couldn't make a policy. The rule motion and second was made by Glen and Sam. The two chiefs who were exposed for corruption. My, my, what a coincidence. The new dept IS a county fire dept but is also allowed to have a corporation if they want. however, the corporation is not who is providing fire protection. Whats wrong Karen, you mad now that you found out your two main men really arent certified as you were led to believe? The county can have all the fire depts they want and there is nothing wrong or illegal about it. try again |
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| try again - Dec 08, 2009 09:13:09 PM | Remove Comment |
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| do you have to bid a volunteer position? I kinda thought that this would be a group of people who was certified for a position that they don't get paid for that is way different from the past. Mr. Johnson is only in charge of the department. I don't care if he is in a wheel chair. The chief rule about being kicked off 2 fire dept's was made by glen and Sam Rudd gee I wonder why they made that rule in the last two months. |
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| no ladders - Dec 08, 2009 06:47:47 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I got that information from a flyer that was left in my mailbox by a maroon truck. The flyer also said that there were going to be a certified chief and 10 certified firefighter 2's. It went on to say that there were going to be 2 EMT's in Sunnyhills at all times. I interpret that statement to be 24/7. My concern is that Mr Johnson is not certified and can't even make it out his own front door on some days. Another concern is Mr Gothard has been fired from 2 departments in this county. I spoke with 3 other chiefs and they tell me that the Washington County fire chiefs passed a resolution barring anyone from becoming a fireman that has been fired from 2 fire departments. This flyer also stated that this new department was going to be a county fire department and not an independent one. I have since learned that this new department is incorporated and is NOT a county fire department meaning nothing has changed. According to state law, when a municipality or governing body contracts out for a service, whether it be fire protection or road paving, they are to advertise to get bids on the service. There was no advertising when this contract when awarded. Why? |
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| Ladder number two - Dec 08, 2009 05:53:48 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Nobody ever said there would be EMT's in SH 24/7. Dont know where you got that information. Call Mr Johnson or Mr Gothard and they will be happy to give you any information you want. Documentation is at the WC EOC office. Just ask and you shall receive |
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| Info - Dec 08, 2009 07:02:51 AM | Remove Comment |
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| That's odd. I keep asking for documentation on these so called EMT's that are supposed to be in Sunnyhills 24 7 and I keep getting stone walled. Nobody seems to know who they are or where their documentation is at. If anyone knows this info, please publish it so the public knows. Also, why is County property being kept on private land? Who is responsible for this stuff now? |
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| Ladder number two - Dec 03, 2009 09:51:01 AM | Remove Comment |
