PINEVILLE — Failure of the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department’s leadership to protect its own firefighters is just one of a number of reasons cited by Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock as to why he relieved of the department’s former officers Tuesday.
At a Wednesday press conference, Brock assured the public that all fire stations will remain open and offered an explanation about why the court took over the fire department.
“The fiscal court, county attorney and sheriff’s office had to take control of the volunteer fire department,” Brock said. “One of the primary reasons was that on Oct. 31, 2006, the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., was dissolved by the State of Kentucky for failing to comply with state law,.”
“The leadership, of the fire department, failed to protect their own firefighters,” he added.
From Nov. 2, 2006, the volunteer fire department was not an official entity and the volunteers were not protected from personal liability when responding to calls, Brock said.
When Brock found out the fire department was not incorporated, he filed for reinstatement, naming himself as head of the board and the fiscal court as board members, with Jay Steele remaining as treasurer. Temporary Fire Chief is Paul Wilson, who is director of Bell County Emergency Management, and Jonathan Price as interim assistant fire chief.
Brock said the previous leadership had relinquished its authority when they breached their fiduciary duty to the citizens of Bell County and allowed the fire department to be dissolved.
When the fire department is reorganized and has elected its own officers, county officials will step aside and new management will take over, from the county.
“The dissolution of the corporation exposed every member of the fire department to personal liability,” Brock stated. “In addition, every action taken by the fire department since Nov. 1, 2003 has been illegal.”
All nine fire stations are manned and are ready to fight fires, Brock said. Presently the volunteer fire department has more certified volunteers on staff than the former 16 members. Currently the fire department has about $250,000 in their budget.
In a continuing investigation, the state auditor’s office told Brock of its serious concerns about how public funds have been spent.
“Bell County citizens have also reported concerns about the misuse of public funds by the fire department,” Brock said. “As a result of these complaints, an investigation of the previous leadership has begun. Records have been seized and secured by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department.”
While the county fire department is being reorganized, both the Pineville and Middlesboro fire departments have agreed to help the county fire department in responding to fires. Brock does not know yet when the fire department personnel will be organized. He expressed gratitude to both cities for deciding to help the county. While not knowing when the county fire department will be fully reorganized, Brock said he expects the county to be in control for at least the next three months.
While investigating the offices of the fire department, sheriff’s deputies found a box of currency in an open safe that contained an estimated $5,000 in cash collected for the Crusade for Children last June. The funds were not turned over to Crusade for Children. Deputies were told the funds were to be combined with the upcoming Crusade for Children roadblock event.
The funds, when counted, will be turned over to the Crusade for Children and the upcoming roadblock will go on as scheduled, but with new members of the fire department. The funds gathered will be immediately turned over to Crusade for Children.
JBrock said a member of the community asked for a donation from the Crusade for Children and was told since Bell County did not contribute they would not be getting a grant. At least one child has been disenfranchised because the funds were not turned over to Crusade for Children, Brock said.
The county fire department has had an ISO rating of nine, since it began. Brock said he and the current members are going to attempt to get the ISO rating down to a seven or eight, which will save property owners money on their fire insurance. Bell and Whitley counties are the only area counties with a class nine ISO rating. While Whitley County Fiscal Court has not funded any fire departments, Bell County in recent years has contributed $1.8 million and still has a fire insurance rating of a nine.
Brock said he is encouraging the public to become involved in the county fire department, in their community. Brownies Creek Fire Department is in need of members more than any other company of the fire department, he said. While there are currently two members at Brownies Creek, there is room for many more, along with other community fire stations.
C.J. Harte is a staff writer for the Daily News. His e-mail address is charte@middlesborodailynews.com.
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