NY commission shuts down fire dept.
The fire department failed to comply with district rules, have enough trained officers and provide records
GREENVILLE, N.Y. — An ongoing dispute between two Greenville fire companies ended when officials voted to shut down one of the district’s fire departments Tuesday.
District commissioners voted to deactivate the Greenville Fire Department on grounds of inability to provide suitably trained staff, noncompliance with fire district rules, limited access by district personnel to the station and failure to provide records.
The decision places over 30 firefighters out of work, although commissioners encouraged them to apply for positions within the Mountain View department, which will provide fire service to Greenville.
“We just want to be sure that all training, membership and compliance with fire district rules are met. New York state laws are very strict, and as a district we have to comply,” Commissioner Pete Zubikowski told the Record Online.
Despite being stripped of their trucks and no longer having jurisdiction, several dozen Greenville volunteer firefighters gathered at the station.
“We have 31 fully qualified, completely trained and certified firefighters, 22 of which are also interior qualified,” former Greenville Assistant Chief Bob Harford said.
“It’s just a sad thing for everyone involved,” former Greenville Chief Darryl Davis.