SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- A call for accountability and a standard across the board when it comes to handling disputes involving fire companies.
House Bill 193 sponsored by District 39 representative and former Seaford Fire Chief Danny Short says that the Delaware State Fire Commission would have the authority to investigate fires where firefighters are injured. It would also hear complaints from neighbors- a referee between the public and fire companies.
"If they go to their local fire department and they don't get satisfaction with their complaint or the issue that occurred whatever it might be, they can call the fire commission and you know log in a complaint," Short said.
But the commission did not ask for this power. Chairman Ron Marvel says that the issue came up about 14 months ago at a workshop organized by the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association where all of the companies were invited to attend. However, Marvel supports the bill.
"The EMS service in Delaware is accountable to the point where they have an investigator and anything that goes on that that does," Marvel said. "And I think this where this bill is being driven is the same type of accountability."
However, 17 Sussex County fire departments do not agree with the language of the bill and think it is too broad or vague. They would like to know exactly what the commission can investigate. Millville Fire Company is a department that doesn't support it. Fire Chief Guy Rickards doesn't oppose the bill's idea but doesn't like the way it is written.
"Some parts I feel are good," Rickards said. "But the bill the way it is written is very open-ended and they are basically asking to write rules and regulations for the fire service and I personally don't know what they plan on regulating."
The House Administration Committee passed the bill Wednesday but some firefighters burning questions still need to be answered.
Representative Short says the bill should reach a vote on the house floor sometime next week. The Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association is inviting all of the companies to discuss the bill at a meeting Sunday.