By Brandi Watters
The Herald Bulletin
FRANKTON, Ind. — Emotions and tempers ran high Wednesday during a special meeting called by the Frankton fire chief to explain the desperate financial condition of the local fire department.
Frankton Fire Chief Rob Amick told a crowd of more than 100 that his fire department is not receiving enough funding to effectively run the fire department.
Amick has taken out a personal loan to help fund equipment for the fire department and said he can no longer make such personal sacrifices to keep the department afloat.
Last week, he told The Herald Bulletin that if things don’t change, the fire department could close its doors.
The Frankton Fire Department serves the town of Frankton along with Lafayette and Jackson townships.
The department runs on $62,000 per year to serve a population of more than 9,000 residents.
Amick became emotional toward the end of the meeting when referencing comments that suggested he was misappropriating funds at the department.
Last week, Frankton Town Board member Howard Sowers told The Herald Bulletin that he believed the department had made some bad financial decisions. “I think they are overspending a bit.”
Amick cried tears of frustration before the crowd and explained the difficult circumstances firefighters are faced with on the job.
“I’ve had a baby die in my arms,” he said. “Shame on you because you ain’t laid in that bed at night and seen the things we’ve seen.”
As he wept, his fellow firefighters approached him in a single-file line and took turns embracing the angry chief. “This meeting is over,” Amick said before exiting the bay of the fire department where the meeting was being held.
Amick wants the townships and the town of Frankton to increase the fire department’s budget to about $120,000 by 2010.
The department, he said, is facing an even more pressing matter. The self-contained breathing apparatus masks used by firefighters are expected to become non-complaint with federal standards on Jan. 1.
It will cost the fire department $120,000 to replace the face masks.
If the masks are not purchased, firefighters will no longer be able to enter burning buildings and save lives, he said.
Last week, Frankton Town Board President Lisa Corey told The Herald Bulletin that the town of Frankton has very few fire runs.
She believes the $22,000 per year that the town of Frankton pays for fire protection is fair, considering the number of actual fires in Frankton.
Frankton resident Mike Borum doesn’t agree. “I don’t care if it’s one run.”
The fire department should be funded, he said.
Frankton resident Gloria Miles also attended the meeting and was displeased that the town of Frankton has considered getting fire protection from Pipe Creek Township if the Frankton Fire Department closes its doors. “It’s kind of scary.”
“No one should argue about paying,” she said.
Facing their own budget restrictions, town officials have said that they cannot afford to increase the contract.
Steve Anderson of Lafayette Township said that he will approach his board about finding funds for the fire department. “It’s quite apparent with the $63,000 budget ... the chickens are coming to roost on this thing.”
Anderson blames communication between the fire department and the township for the budget woes. “The communication with Lafayette Township and the fire department has been good, bad and ugly.”
Dozens of firefighters from area departments stood for two hours at the Frankton fire station in support of Amick and his men.
They were joined by Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, who said she will provide other Madison County legislators with information about the situation at the Frankton Fire Department. “You guys put yourselves on the line for us every day.”
Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson also attended the meeting as a show of support for the Frankton Volunteer Fire Department and said he hopes town and township officials can reach an agreement regarding the contract. “They have an issue here that’s solvable.”
Frankton firefighter Jeremy Chubb said it was disappointing that the meeting was even necessary. “I was disappointed that we’re not being backed up by the people who were voted in to help this town also.”
Copyright 2009