STATter 911: Volunteer fire company dissolved in VA. Prince William Co. taking over two Gainesville stations. Chief's family lived in firehouse. Read entire audit.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Volunteer fire company dissolved in VA. Prince William Co. taking over two Gainesville stations. Chief's family lived in firehouse. Read entire audit.

More fire & EMS news from STATter911.com

Read entire 24 page audit of Gainesville District VFD operations by Prince William County director of audit services Robin Howard

Read the resolution from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors

Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue Service Chief Kevin McGee, citing a hostile work environment, has shutdown the Gainesville District Volunteer Fire Department. Chief McGee is following the direction of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in their vote Friday to order a takeover of Gainesville's two stations.

McGee tells STATter 911 the supervisors reacted to an audit they ordered in September and the chief's own recommendation. The chief said he had great concern for the safety of volunteer and career firefighters along with the safety of the public if current conditions were allowed to continue. The chief said in a telephone interview he "lacked confidence in the volunteer leadership".

One issue cited by Chief McGee is that the family of Volunteer Chief Richard Bird lived at one of the fire stations. Some, but not all of Chief Bird's family are members of the department. One of his children is described as a teenaged girl who is autistic. Another daughter is a volunteer sergeant.

Career personnel are assigned to the stations around the clock. In the takeover McGee plans to add career staffing. He also plans to increase volunteer participation under Prince William County. McGee says that it will be the first time volunteers will be part of the county and not individual fire companies.

The audit was ordered after two volunteers complained they were suspended 30-minutes before an election in August so they would be unable to run for office. One of the men was running for treasurer a position held by Wanda Bird, Chief Bird's wife.

Below is the email sent to career and volunteer staff in Prince William County from Chief McGee:

Today the audit of the Gainesville District Volunteer Fire Department (GDVFD) was presented to the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) in closed session. This was followed by an open meeting with citizen's time allowing volunteers to give input. As a result, the BOCS has dissolved the GDVFD and has directed me to provide 24 hour fire and rescue service at Stations 4 and 24. Effectively immediately, Chief Bowman has initiated a staffing plan to assure continuous service. I will be meeting with the GDVFD membership to discuss the process that will allow them to return to an operational status.

The resolution has directed that DFR Staff, the County Executive, County Attorney and the Fire and Rescue Association review Chapter 9 and its provisions for the fire and rescue system. This process will include a monthly report to the BOCS and a full report and recommendations due on May 1, 2009.

This will be a challenging time for the fire and rescue system and I recognize that we have a large number of dedicated volunteers who contribute greatly to service delivery. I look forward to working with everyone in the system as we move forward to meet this challenge.

Regards,

Kevin

Chief Kevin McGee
Prince William County Department of Fire & Rescue

# posted by Dave Statter @ 2:27 PM

Comments:

This is long overdue! It's about time that people are held accountable for their actions!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 3:03 PM

First!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 3:13 PM

God I wish we could do this in Montgomery County We are just a hair away from a LODD. Some of the volunteer Corp. are out of control and there is no accountability within the volunteer ranks. Our current has no balls to do anything about it. He is too worried about pleasing everyone and “taking the high road”

# posted by

David Polikoff : January 16, 2009 4:15 PM

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 4:16 PM

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 4:16 PM

Sounds like something out of Deliverance-The whole department is related to one another and they all live in the firehouse....sounds like a genetic cesspool.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 4:18 PM

In regards to the Montgomery County comment above. I disagree. I am a career Firefighter in MOCO and I think that we are a hair away from an LODD whether career or volunteer, and I have to say that the volunteer accountability is alot better than some of our neighboring counties!!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 4:32 PM

Prince Georges has no accountability on the volunteer or career side.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 4:51 PM

Accountability is a joke on the career side. It is next to impossible to fire anyone unless they murder someone with witnesses on camera in a station. We all know career folks who have no business being in the fire service yet we can't do anything about them. We all know that and we all try to work around them. The only bad part is that they number of them that we have to work around are growing. Don't get me wrong, volunteers are just as messed up and have just as many problems as career. For every mistake, error, or goof off we can site on the volunteer side, we can site one on the career side.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 5:52 PM

Way to go PWilly. This marks the end to Birdnation. Gainesville has been poorly managed for years under the Bird family.

Hopefully the county can now paint the apparatus a proper color.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 6:12 PM

I'm a volunteer at a neighboring station to Gainesville, and I am appalled at this. I had heard about this awhile back, but I have to admit.. now I'm worried about the fate of volunteer departments in Prince William County.

Certain people in our county have already shown their interest in ending the volunteer organizations here. I'm afraid this might give them a little bit of steam.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 6:37 PM

Where was Ricky Riley?

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 7:16 PM

WOW!!! Never did I think I would see this day, but am glad it is here. Sad that the audit didn't conclude what some past/present members 'know' is going on...sad that the men and women there that want to run calls now can't! WOW!!! Dictatorship in Gainesville is hopefully coming to an end...it would be nice if the vollies could get back on a piece there.

# posted by

A bad-mouthed kicked-out member : January 16, 2009 7:53 PM

Dear "Appalled":

You need to read the 24 page audit report.

If your organization is not co-mingling funds, being uncooperative during a county audit and is not run by one family who is living in an active fire station ... I think you may be in better shape.

Please note that the ENTIRE membership of the Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve Companies 4/24.

There will be changes to Chapter 9 in the county code and BOTH sides will be held more accountable - in handling finances and complying with the county's administrative laws.

I am ENCOURAGED that elected officials are paying attention.

Mike

A prompt and safe response of qualified personnel to all parts of the county every hour of every day.

# posted by

Mike Ward : January 16, 2009 8:01 PM

PWC Co16 will be next since the new pumper is too BIG for the career staff to operate and the vols. had to buy a used commerical cab truck to appease them

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 8:08 PM

Step one towards accountability. It may be extreme, but at least its something. I'm in a county with 8 stations...16 engines, 5 trucks, 7 heavy rescues, 15 ambulances...and a 70% response rate.

Taxpayer money pays for this equipment. And the kicker - fewer than 4,000 calls a year COUNTY WIDE. I wish someone would step up out here.

# posted by

Steven : January 16, 2009 9:16 PM

You think you guys have it bad! Look slightly West my friends, look west!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 16, 2009 10:51 PM

Wow! This is new! Someone being kicked out of a firehouse whose name ISN'T Jerry Engle....How refreshing!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 9:07 AM

I can only hope the Hickerson Volunteer Fire Kingdom is next!! This station and situation is an embarrassment and a black eye to all fire departments. Kudo's to the Board of supervisors. Hint to them....don't stop now, keep looking, there is plenty more to find when the right questions are asked of the right people.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 10:27 AM

Wow.....I know for a fact that it has been going on since the 80's when Chief McGee started in PWC and was assigned to Station 4 initially before he went to E3. Chief Bird and his then girlfriend lived above the bank, then I believe they moved into the house that belonged to the FD that was behind the bank when a volunteer named Sam Fletcher (I think) moved out. At some They moved into the old station on 55 when then new one was built. He has done a lot for the community, but he also berated, belittled and intimidated career personnel, often telling them they were fired, and throwing them out of the station. SJC let it go on and nothing was done, subsequent Chiefs looked the other way, and now Chief McGee stepped up. I will say though that in the late 80's when PWC was facing a lay off of career personnel, Chief Bird led the Charge for the volunteers to give money from thier budget to the Career Budget to maintain staffing.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 10:31 AM

Citizens have a reasonable expectation that their public safety personnel are well trained and physically fit to perform their duties. This has not been the case with some of these volunteer fire departments.

The actions of Chief Bird damaged the public's trust. Family members have no business living off the taxpayers of Prince William County. There has NEVER been oversight of these various volunteer fire departments who use taxpayers funds to operate. Hopefully, oversight of the spending of these volunteer agencies will take place.

Thank you to Gainesville District Supervisor John Stirrup who showed leadership by looking into the actions of the Gainesville volunteer fire department. I also applaud the Prince William County Board of Supervisors under the leadership of Chairmen Stewart for taking action as well.

I encourage Mr. Dave Stattler to look into the fire which occurred in the Lake Jackson section of Prince William County, and why the home burned to the ground.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 12:25 PM

It's about time someone has caught this! Justice has finally been served! It was only a matter of time before they were caught, too bad it was 20 something years before it happened. Thats what The Birds get for treating people the way they have for as long as they have and taking advantage of the them. (My family being some of them...) In your face! This is just sad how the the public eye may start to view Volunteer organizations. Will the truely trust where there donation money is going? Thanks Dick Bird!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 12:28 PM

In the great PGFD a few years back, they had a "live in" that was found dead in his bunk, only after a few day of not noticing him being around.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 12:34 PM

The Hickerson kingdom should be next followed by his buddy Griffith. You can only operate like this for so long before it catches up to you. Way to go Chief McGee, it's about time !

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 5:16 PM

PGFD - We have homeless people living in several of our stations. If you dont respond on calls, you should not be allowed to live at the fire station. Once again no accountability for the volunteers.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 6:27 PM

I hate to admit it, but they should audit ALL the stations. This sort of stuff and more like physical contact goes on at all the stations, at the PSA, some are more extreme than others. Some of these folks act like yahoos from Lt. level on up. It's not just Vol. either.

If you dare speak up you then become a target no matter how loud they say we won't hold it against you if you speak up.
This good old boy stuff needs to end right now.

But the majority of folks are doing a fine job though. Shame a few bad apples ruin the whole bushel.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 17, 2009 7:18 PM

In response to this post:
Citizens have a reasonable expectation that their public safety personnel are well trained and physically fit to perform their duties. This has not been the case with some of these volunteer fire departments.

The actions of Chief Bird damaged the public's trust. Family members have no business living off the taxpayers of Prince William County. There has NEVER been oversight of these various volunteer fire departments who use taxpayers funds to operate. Hopefully, oversight of the spending of these volunteer agencies will take place.

Thank you to Gainesville District Supervisor John Stirrup who showed leadership by looking into the actions of the Gainesville volunteer fire department. I also applaud the Prince William County Board of Supervisors under the leadership of Chairmen Stewart for taking action as well.

I encourage Mr. Dave Stattler to look into the fire which occurred in the Lake Jackson section of Prince William County, and why the home burned to the ground.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : January 17, 2009 12:25 PM

First, John Stirrup did not initiate the Audit. A few rightfully disgruntled volunteers did.
Second, don't complain about why it takes so long for the volunteers to arrive to the geographic area covered by stations 4 and 24 the next time you call 911. They will be coming from about 5-15 miles further away. And PWC won't send a Medic unless requested by the BLS unit after arriving on scene. So the next time you call 911 for your bellyache and dizziness, just sit tight.
Third, If you want to know why a house in the Lake Jackson area burned to the ground, check out the Kyle Wilson LODD report and the recommendations made in it. to paraphrase, We will risk life to save another, we will not risk life to save property.
Lastly, do a little research before you go on a public blog and make ignorant and embarrassing comments.

# posted by

A PWC Volunteer : January 17, 2009 11:44 PM

I agree. Look slightly west. Drivers without DPO or FFI, Officers without EMT. Gainesville is not alone.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 12:01 AM

Years ago when all this was beginning the Department used to be called Gainesvilole/Haymarket VFD. At some point it was re-named to Gainesville District VFD. However the Department is chartered under the Town of Haymarket who I think authorized the name changed. But in a charter there are rules as to who can disolve the department and what happens when it is disolved. I wonder if because the Town has the charter, can the BOCS legally doisolve it? Wouldn't the Town Co0uncil have to do it and if so, did they agree or were they even informed? Don't get me wrong the comments about the house behind the station all that activity goin g on since Chief McGee started there as a firefighter is right on target. I just dont want to see it overturned because of a mistake. I can assure you that Chief Bird has his lawyer scurrying to find some error. Nothing was ever done in the past because Nickerson and Bird had something SJC when he was the director and when he left, no one had balls to stand up to them. Now Chief McGee has pulled the plug. Way to go!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 8:26 AM

How many of these comments are from career staff in PWC just salivating waiting for the demise of the entire volunteer system? I just hope this doesn't turn into a witch hunt with undeserving people going down with just accusations...ie..naming chiefs by name. That is unfair and sounds like a case for libel.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 10:38 AM

While the BOS may not be able to offically "dissolve" the ""NON-Profit" corperation of the department, thier have full authority to pull all public funding and refuse to recognize the department for emergency response. this is true of any VFD they provide emergency services at the pleasure of the BOS - so GDVFD is now basically a boys and girls club - until they desolve thier own charter

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 10:38 AM

I think everyone is missing what is starting to happen. We are looking at what happened in Fairfax happening here and all under the control to 1 big cheif. Also who is going to explain to the tax payers in PWC that now all Fire and Rescue services are career so the extra 50 - 100 million needs to come from the tax payers. While I understand that there were issues in Gainsville there is a bigger game going on here and the political wheel is at work here.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 12:51 PM

I am a PWC volunteer as well as a career man in Fairfax. It is only Libel when it is not true. Especially when an audit will more than uncover years of wrongdoing.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 1:25 PM

Least you forget this already happened to the south. of course there is still a family monopoly at one station but Potomac Hills in Stafford was turned over to the county just before they "took" it over. Stafford County no has much more control of their volunteer system now - while not perfect and still having growing pains - all departments report to the "COUNTY" chief -

Even now if you want to volunteer in stafford you apply through the county - all officers are certified by a uniform rank structure and release of EMS providers is handled at the county level - that is more what Prince William BOS is looking for - control not just replacing all volunteers with career - we all know they can"t afford it

# posted by

Anonymous : January 18, 2009 2:15 PM

Is the county board going to look at all the volunteer stations. Bird isn't the only Chief that is alive in. Most stations have live ins. There should be no live ins in the fire house. Look at OWL Chief were does he live? How many live in there 3 stations? Yorkshier,Dumfries fire, all have live and can't get staffed or out on calls. The county board of supervisors need to look at all the stations with live ins.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 19, 2009 5:39 AM

Man all this time i thought Gainsville was a international airport by the color of apparatus.
Im sure there is still a core of vollies at Gainsville that i hope will continue to volunteer. If due to some of the morons running the show, hopefully these folks were at least shown the proper way as far as training and what to do on the street. If not hopefully they can be shown, as a few idiots or more shouldnt ruin it for the ones that were doin the right thing.
One doesnt have to look far in other counties like Loudoun where im sure the same crap goes on. Theres plenty that shouldnt be driving nor riding in the officer's seat, because there not qualified. Usually its acceptable so they can staff the piece. More like put bodies in the seats to make it look like were staffed. And the joe schmoes you vote for will be the same ones that will discipline you as well. Thats if your there buddies or not. Even if there day job is at advanced auto with no supervisor experience, but for some reason your qualified to hand down discipline at the firehouse.
All in all with the exception of living in a firehouse that doesnt have a live in program and non qualified people operating the apparatus or sitting in the officers seat, i can bet any audit of a career or volly house will show some if not more inadequacies.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 19, 2009 10:35 AM

Living in the firehouse and responding to calls is much different than living in the firehouse and moving in your family. A lot of counties or Departments in the area have live ins I am sure. I know SJVFD used to, Yorkshire, Warrenton does now, OWL, Dale City, and BCCRS used to. So it is not uncommon for members to live there. It is inappropriate for a "family" to move in with their kids and take over the female bunk room as their own home. My other question would be is this...if neither worked how did they get money for the food they bought and the clothes they wore. The did not need a vehicle because each had a department vehicle and gas provided by the department. At one time the vehicles were equipped with baby seats.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 19, 2009 11:17 AM

Don't fool yourself about the savings the current "model" system gives the citizens of PWC. The FY09 volunteer budget is $31.5 million and the career budget is $56 million. This combined $87.5 million budget is bigger than Henrico, Chesterfield, and VA Beach. All similar sized systems which provide 24/7 career systems, supplemented by dedicated volunteers. PWCs per capita and per call rates are even higher than the gold plated Fairfax system. Why would we want to spend more for less?

Don't fool yourself about the union. They did not cause this, they system that Selby created and MBM fostered caused this. Chief McGee drew a line in the sand and had the Bird and Hickerson's of the world kick sand in his face.

The Chapter 9 update is simple. The vol chiefs = a BC and become advisers to the Operations chief. Standardize the apparatus and make everyone use the same policies. Don't even try to say we do, because we don't. Finally, get the fat slobs (career and vol) in shape or ship them out.

# posted by

In the know : January 19, 2009 1:01 PM

Hmmm Windows blowing out of house on dispatch fully involved on first arrival and no rescue for a death trap cabin way down on the lake on one of the worse roads in the county and you want to ask why it burned down. dumbass!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 20, 2009 12:12 PM

"Don't fool yourself about the union. They did not cause this, they system that Selby created and MBM fostered caused this. Chief McGee drew a line in the sand and had the Bird and Hickerson's of the world kick sand in his face."

The first two mentioned allowed to problem to go on because Nickerson and Bird had something on SCJ. Not sure why MBM let it go on, perhaps because she did not know how do deal with it since she had NO Fire Department Background!!!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : January 21, 2009 8:50 AM

man.....for such a big event, it quieted down very quickly, both on here and on TWD. As a former employee who worked at Station 4 in the old days, I am very surprised it was allowed to go on as long as it did. Bird used to say that SCJ would do nothing because the "we" have so much stuff on him. Bird used to order SCJ out of his station and it would happen without a question or any negative impact. Career personnel were subjected to Wanda, rants and name calling and to Bird yelling and screaming and cussing as well as babies in the firehouse. At one point they even lived in the bunk room portion of the new addition that was built when when the first HAHN was purchased.

# posted by

Anonymous : January 24, 2009 4:21 PM