POLAND, N.Y. — On Aug. 19, the Poland Fire District ended services with the Poland Fire Company.
Fire departments from Newport and Barneveld are now covering the area for fire protection, but Town of Ohio residents, who are the farthest away, have concerns.
“They’re scared. They are very scared for many reasons, and they have a legitimate reason to be scared.”
Kelly Wenzel is a Fire District Board Member and the Fire Company Secretary.
The fire district claims they have an issue with PFD’s recruitment and retention.
Wenzel said it’s a problem everywhere.
“I don’t’ think there’s a fire company on the face of God’s green earth that isn’t begging for members. Even paid fire companies,” Wenzel said.
The district also said there are concerns over the fire department’s response times.
Wenzel said canceling the Poland Fire Company only adds to the problem.
“If our response times have gone up, what have you just done by deleting this fire company and having fire companies from further away come in,” Wenzel said.
Wenzel added that the fire district is putting more people at risk by canceling services with the Poland Fire Company.
“Those fire companies were taken out of their area, so now you have three fire companies that are not available to answer up to any other call within all of their districts,” Wenzel said.
The fire district said the fire company has provided a lack of cooperation in providing documentation to secure insurance, and failure to provide firefighter training records.
Wenzel said she’s provided 180 pages of requested documentation to try and resolve the conflict.
“So, we can resolve the issues. We can talk about priorities; what’s needed; and how do we go about making sure that you feel like you’re getting what you need and want from us,” Wenzel said.
The fire company has also extended an invitation for the fire district to come to the fire department for any other documents needed.
“They’re not taking advantage of the opportunities that we’ve provided to them to come here and get their answers, and that needs to change.”
NEWSChannel 2 did reach out to fire district Chairman Andy Topham, but received no response.
The Town of Ohio is considering canceling their contract with PFD to enter into an agreement with the fire company.
There will be a public hearing at the Town of Ohio Recreation Center on Nellis Road starting at 7 p.m.
On Aug. 19, the Poland Fire District ended services with the Poland Fire Company.