ANDERSON COUNTY, Ky. — A 911 call about a choking 4-year-old has sparked a jurisdiction dispute between Anderson County fire departments after a nearby firefighter crossed a district line to save the child.
On Oct. 31, an Anderson County Fire District firefighter who was just 0.7 miles away self-dispatched to a home for a child who was choking on a lollipop. The child has since fully recovered, LEX 18 reported.
| WATCH: How do I get the neighboring fire chief to work with me?
The response stirred controversy because the call originated within Lawrenceburg’s city fire jurisdiction, even though the home was less than a mile from a county fire station.
Hours after the call, Lawrenceburg Fire Chief Bill Curtsinger emailed Anderson County Fire Chief Brad Durr, directing the county department to refrain from responding inside city limits.
“He’s like, ‘I’m right here, I’m a minute away,’ so that’s why he made the decision and did the right thing, and that’s to go help a kid,” Anderson County Deputy Chief Jimmy Robinson said. “So the next thing, my chief is getting an email from the city chief telling him, respectfully, to stay out of his jurisdiction.”
Robinson said this is the latest in a series of city–county boundary disputes, but his crews will keep responding to life-threatening calls, show up and help if needed, and clear the scene if not.
The dispute escalated at Monday’s city council meeting, where Robinson criticized the strained coordination between agencies. Both departments are set to meet on Nov. 13 to resolve the jurisdictional issues.
Does your department have a boundary/response dispute with another FD? Would you self-dispatch to a call because you are closer than the assigned company?
FireRescue1 readers respond:
- I cannot fathom this kind of mentality. We always welcomed assistance, especially if someone was right there. This is people’s lives and property we’re talking about. To have a “turf war” is petty and not in the best interest of serving the public. This city chief is a disgrace and should resign, if not be fired.
- We dropped boundaries 25 years ago in Sacramento County, and that has saved countless lives. That’s how it should be. Don’t let your ego get the best of you. What is going on? We preach preparedness, yet the best organization for implementing that process is cutting it.
- As a retired dispatcher, I would never cancel another department for territory jumping. Their choice, not mine. If they asked, I would just say, “Use your own discretion.” That would put the liability on them if something were to happen. Our job was to save lives and property, not worry about whose territory it is. What if a neighbor had done the same thing — would they be complaining then?
- Our job and mission is to help those in need. If someone from another district fire department is closer and can make the scene quicker than we can, then by all means, do so. The victim doesn’t care who got there first, and neither should we. Jumping calls repeatedly is one thing, but a once-in-a-while occurrence is no issue when a life is at stake — especially when it’s a child.
- The most important issue is the life of the individual was saved, get off your high horse and say thank you.
- Ok guys, stuff like this has got to stop when a life is at stake. Whoever can get there first, get there. The assigned response unit goes as backup. Use a little situational awareness.
- I have self-dispatched anywhere — even in other states — when it comes to life and safety. I have always been well accepted and appreciated. These two agencies need to stop their childish behavior and realize their role is public safety.
- I absolutely would respond! There shouldn’t be any controversy in a situation like that. Shame on whoever may be disputing that response.
- I’m glad we have an auto-mutual agreement with all the departments in my area. If I’m close — even in my POV — and I hear a call where I can help, the answer is yes: get there safely and get there first.
- Somewhere along the way, this fire chief forgot that we are here to serve. The closer unit — regardless of jurisdiction — should go. We all took an oath to serve our communities by doing the right thing. You can never go wrong with that. It’s time for new leadership in that organization — I’m sure there are bigger issues that need to be addressed.
- I’m not saying the city fire chief should be fired, but he needs an attitude adjustment. We fire departments are in the business of saving lives and property. You’re going to let someone die over turf? That’s insane. If someone does die because of his stance, he should be prosecuted. The two departments need to work this out — and if they can’t, then the elected officials should.
- Departments should work together and train together. This was about a child choking. Now, if the firefighter wasn’t trained to provide proper care, then he shouldn’t have responded.
It sounds as though that agency chief needs to be relieved of duty, sent back to management / leadership class and the system reorganized under sate guidelines of “do what is best for the public” approach?!? Wow!!!
