By Sarah Roebuck
FireRescue1
WAGENER, S.C. — The fire chief and most of the Wagener Fire Department’s firefighters have resigned, citing the mayor’s leadership as a factor, WRDW reports.
WFD Chief Tillman Rushton announced his resignation in a letter on Nov. 16. In the letter, he cited three main reasons for stepping down, including oversight of training and equipment, finances and leadership from Wagener Mayor Mike Miller, according to WRDW.
Rushton advised involving a qualified, impartial third party to address issues within the Wagener Fire Department or redistributing its firefighters and equipment to other departments with stronger standards and oversight.
In the letter, Rushton stated that 19 out of the department’s 25 firefighters also resigned due to concerns with Miller’s leadership, WRDW reports.
Two more firefighters resigned during an Aiken County Council meeting on Nov. 19, WJBF reports.
During the meeting, the county approved a motion that could result in terminating the county’s contract with the department for fire protection services, the Aiken Standard reports. The motion instructs the county administrator to issue a written 90-day notice to the town regarding the termination.
