Removal of three rescue volunteers upheld

By MEGHANN COTTER

Date published: 6/30/2007

By MEGHANN COTTER

Stafford County officials have upheld the removal of three courthouse-area rescue volunteers.

Fire and Rescue Chief Rob Brown banned the chief and two EMTs from running calls after a March investigation revealed a series of rule violations.

The members appealed Brown's decision to the county Fire and Rescue Association. A committee appointed by that board recommended that County Administrator Steve Crosby deny the appeal, which he did.

Cathy Riddle, county spokesperson, declined to offer more information about the decision because it is a personnel matter.

Steve Dove, former chief of the rescue station, also declined to comment, saying the members hadn't decided whether to take further legal action.

He and one of the EMTs is accused of giving alcohol to underage squad members. The other EMT is said to have bought or sold drugs on county property. An e-mail from Brown to a number of county officials says that individual admitted to recreational drug use.

While they are not allowed to run calls, Dove and the two EMTs have remained active in the station's social and administrative responsibilities, he said.

Brown's action also involved a third EMT, who was suspended for 30 days. He is accused of transporting alcohol in an emergency SUV to the Virginia Rescue Squad Conference in Virginia Beach. Although the vehicle was owned by the volunteer squad, county dollars insure, fuel and maintain it.

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Date published: 6/30/2007