Hunter
04/13/22
Members of the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and EMS have sent a letter to the City of West Liberty announcing that they will no longer provide service as of May 1st.
In a news release from the Volunteers, the Department claims escalating hostility from the City through its City Manager, City Clerk, and three members of the City Council. They allege the city has waged war on the volunteers, demanding complete control of its operation and finances, harassing volunteers, and delaying the hiring of EMS personnel.
The letter to the City also claims…among other things…incorrect accounting, mixing Volunteer Fire Department funds with the City’s general account, and failure to account for donations made to the Department.
Members of the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department have established an association as a Chapter 28E Agency. The agency will be governed by a Board in which the volunteer department will answer to members of the rural areas as well as the city. This will enable them to provide services to rural townships, who have agreed to the association.
The Department’s letter to the city states that if the situation is not resolved by May 1st, they will no longer provide service. The decision, which they say was a difficult one, was approved unanimously during an April 5th meeting.
The Volunteers concluded their letter, sent by certified mail to West Liberty mayor Katharine McCullough and City Manager David Haugland on April 7th, with a warning.
They said failure of the city to make arrangements for new service as of May 1st will put Insurance Services Office fire ratings at a maximum for every building in the area which will subsequently cause a significant increase in hazard insurance premiums.
The letter was signed, “Members of the West Liberty & Rural Townships Fire & EMS Association.”