Council sidesteps VFD issue

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
POINT BLANK — Both sides of a disagreement at the Point Blank VFD have approached the Point Blank City Council, which in turn has issued a statement that it does not have a position.
At its regular meeting on Dec. 12, council members heard from the PBVFD leadership about the dismissal of several firefighters and other complaints that have been levied against VFD.
The VFD told the council it has proceeded as it always has since its inception.
Among the issues claimed by former members of the VFD, the chief and assistant chief met privately to amend the group’s bylaws, and when existing VFD volunteers voiced objections, they were let go or demoted.
One of the firefighters had planned to run for chief in an upcoming election but was fired within hours of his announcement. According to the new bylaws, he is now ineligible for the election.
Additionally, the ex-firefighters say they have been reprimanded for arriving at emergency sites ahead of EMS crews, which violates PBVFD procedure as per a verbal order.
The firefighters have taken up their case with the Emergency Services District and have been seeking to win public opinion as well.
The city took no action about the disagreement and issued a statement that the council is aware that there are disputes and issues within the PBVFD and, as yet, has not taken a unified position.
The council, through the statement, hopes to assure the Community, ESD, and the PBVFD that if the City feels the need to intervene, it will issue concerns directly to ESD or the PBVFD.
The city has not involved itself in any other investigative route, demand of action, or informational request. Such actions are not issued by the City, and do not represent the City of Point Blank, according to the statement
In other business, the council:
•accepted the latest audit, which was in line. The council was given suggestions to put an asset policy in place, and to capitalize street repairs.