WUSA9.com’s Surae Chinn has an update on the investigation in Middleburg, Virginia:
Amidst a storm a controversy not yet revealed to the public, five volunteer firefighters suddenly resigned. One of those who left his post, is the fire chief.
Board Member Jim Burton of the Blue Ridge District, says it couldn’t have come at a worse time. He says the department is already stretched so thin. Burton wants to ensure residents that they will answer their emergencies.
Paul Draisey is the director of the Middleburg Fire Department. He says allegations of misconduct were brought to the Loudoun County Fire Commission two weeks ago.
An investigation was launched with the help of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department. Immediately, three people were placed on administration leave.
Then this past weekend on August 27th and 28th, five volunteer firefighters resigned before the completion of the investigation.
Burton says they will get to the bottom of what happened if there was anything illegal or unethical that took place at the fire house.
Before the scandal, there were 15 volunteer firefighters. Now a third are gone and they are down to 10.
Company 3 is now forced to call on other stations for help. Burton says they could be forced to cut service, which would be the very last resort.
He says they are okay for the next few weeks, but he sees a problem in the longterm if they don’t come up with a solution.
It takes 18 months to recruit, hire and train a paid firefighter.
Because of the vacancies the station has requested eight paid firefighters.
Also on STATter911 …
- Career-volunteer battle in Loudoun County, Virginia. Staffing pulled from Middleburg VFD after ‘heated’ words. – July 21, 2011
- Virginia’s Middleburg VFD says treasurer & radio personality who committed suicide embezzled a half million dollars from department. Criminal investigation ongoing. – May 7, 2012
- NEW INFO: Resignations from Hamilton, Virginia firefighter charged with DUI & others. Five volunteers said to be on a joyride after night of drinking. 19-year-old on the rig along with a cop. – March 6, 2011
- Raw video: Two-alarm townhouse fire in Loudoun County, Virginia. One resident burned in Sterling blaze. – March 10, 2011
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My question is how was Middleburg getting by with only 15 volunteers to start? I’m assuming that they were providing coverage from 1800-0600 like most volley houses in LoCo. Also, I wonder why Loudoun won’t consider hiring pre-certified firefighters? I always seem to hear how a department is in desperate need of new people, knowing that anyone they hire they will put through at least an 18 week academy. Why not advertise the position to those who already have FF2 and all the other assorted “merit badges” that are needed? It would cut down on hire-to-floor time as well as hiring/training costs.
In reference to hiring precertified people.They did that before when the department was expanding.I am sure they want to train people their way. I am sure in the academy they will utilize the “talents” of people who have credentials. It is to their benefit. You have competent people running the operation.
@the ear, I completely understand and agree with your point. What I failed to mention was that they could hire pre-certified people and instead of putting someone back through FF1 and FF2, they could do an abbreviated “orientation academy”…maybe 2-4 weeks of teaching “our way” of doing things. Many smaller departments do this. Learning about the locality, system, and doing some drills/practicals to ensure firefighters are comfortable with how things are done in the system. I went through FF1 and FF2 and was then hired to a position the required certifications. Much of my “learning” was done on the floor where it really matters. All I’m trying to say is that there’s quicker ways of doing things…and saving money in these tough economic times!
Sounds like what happened in a small department located in Western Maryland a couple weeks ago. The word is a department in Allegany County has had problems after their Chief, a Medic and several other trained Firefighters resigned. No word on exactly what happened.