Click on photo to enlarge
WALHALLA — Infant Emergency Services Department facing hostility
WALHALLA — Safety Committee Chairman Wayne McCall made his opinion on Station 21 and Oconee County Emergency Services (OCES) as a whole crystal clear Thursday night.
“It’s going to have to be drastically changed,” McCall said emphatically of the three-year-old operation. “It cannot, I repeat, cannot go on the way it is.”
McCall said his delving into the controversial topic of fire protection in Oconee County was necessitated by the upcoming budgeting process, and the resolution of the firestorm regarding Emergency Services was a precursor to making proper funding decisions for the county. Station 21 specifically has become an unjustifiable operation in its current form, he said.
“I know it started as a pilot for a bigger program, but the economy is falling apart, and we can’t keep going on like this,” McCall said.
But former Rescue Coordinator Andy Brown said McCall’s spearheading changes in fire is simply the execution of a pre-arranged agenda. Brown said he had a telling telephone conversation last October, months before McCall took his seat on Oconee County Council.
“For about 40 minutes, he was Mr. nice guy, and then he went into some very nasty talk over the phone, downgrading Rodney Burdette, and Emergency Services,” Brown said. “To quote him exactly, he said ‘One of my main goals is to abolish Emergency Services.’”
McCall said he’s made no secret of his dissatisfaction with the current form of emergency protection in Oconee County, but that he was not after anyone’s job. Brown said otherwise, claiming in the October conversation, McCall said that with the two newcomers to the council, Reg Dexter and Joel Thrift, he would do away with Emergency Services and “see Rodney Burdette in the unemployment line.”
McCall said Brown misrepresented the nature of the conversation.
“We never talked about his job. We talked about the position,” he said. “It’s not personalities involved here; it’s the positions and how they’re being utilized. Are the positions necessary?”
A HOUSE DIVIDED
Oconee County boasts roughly 400 volunteer firefighters, according to Corinth-Shiloh Fire Chief Travis Nix. The volunteers making up the volunteer departments, however, are split over the current execution of the rural fire protection plan.
Bill Simmons, chief of Mountain Rest Fire Department, said Friday that he fully supported Burdette and Station 21.
“Station 21 has been nothing but nice and helpful to us,” Simmons said.
Mountain Rest is one rural and previously under-funded department that is now doing better than it ever has in regards to equipment and training, the chief added.
“We’ve got to stop at this point in time with all the bickering and fighting. At this point I don’t know what’s going to make this better, but we’ve got it better now than we’ve had in the past,” he said.
Other volunteer departments like Corinth-Shiloh believe they’re losing out on money. Nix said Burdette has communicated very little with his Corinth-Shiloh in regards to the 2.9 mill tax levied in the unincorporated district and where the proceeds go in his department.
“Poor communication has been the biggest thing,” Nix said.
STATION 21
While Station 21 and OCES have been increasingly embattled, there are plenty out there who believe its dissolution would spell disaster for fire protection in Oconee County.
“Rodney Burdette in the short time he’s been there, has made a big turnaround in emergency services in this county,” Brown said. “When he got here, they were so far behind, it was embarrassing.”
Brown resigned last month due to high anxiety and building stress from the controversy surrounding fire protection. Jay Hetherington, chairman of the OCES, resigned earlier this week.
What’s lost in the entire debate, Burdette said, is the quality of professionals in his department.
“Take time to look at credentials and quality of personnel we have working here, and what they can contribute, how in any way someone can say they’re not a benefit or asset. I’m amazed those kinds of comments can be made,” Burdette said. “They left good quality jobs because they saw an opportunity here. They’ve been professionals in it for a long time.”
Burdette is speaking of professionals like Mark Lee, former Keowee-Key fire chief, and Operations Chief Eric Lutz, who had risen through the ranks in Greenville County before returning to the Golden Corner. Burdette and his personnel, including eight men manning Station 21, now face an uncertain future.
“Most of these employees were former residents of Oconee County. They were like ‘Wow, we can come back home and use our talents in our own communities and help the people here,’” Burdette said. “There seems to be no regard to looking at those kinds of things.”
Burdette said he was “speechless” and truly didn’t know what to say anymore in response to the acrimony and belligerence with which people spoke of his operation.
“It’s really ultimately up to County Council to see what direction they want to go in,” he said. “All you can hope for is that they truly look and get factual information to base their decisions on. They’ve had the opportunity to see what the benefits are. If they can’t see it, there’s not much else we can do.”
Discuss story 
iPod friendly version
March 14, 2009
2:16 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I am certainly glad to see this council stick to their guns. 3 men in a pick up truck running over 760 square miles, rushing to get somewhere that the incident has already ended is not the fire service today. This comment has nothing to do with the employees hired by Mr. Burdette, they are very eager. But they will tell you that they are cancelled more than the arrive on the scene. Mr. Burdette has proven that he is not capabale to lead the fire service as a whole and cannot get along with anyone. It is his way, or no way...
I am excited to see where we go from here!
March 14, 2009
2:49 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Get em Wayne, Dexter, and Thrift! Glad to see you remembered why you were elected! Sick um!
March 14, 2009
9:50 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Oh how sweet, OconeeVolunteer leaves a message and then thirty minutes later GetRealOconee (aka. Mrs. OconeeVolunteer) leaves a message on the same article, and they even joined the same day! I guess she has to wait for him to get off of the computer!
Do you honestly think that the county is going to give the other 2 mils to the separate fire departments with no council oversight, if they give it to them at all? Volunteer departments have gotten more funds and better equipment in the past two years than ever before. Where did all the money go to before now? They can run a full time Fire station and the volunteer stations get more than ever...
In case you didn't know, Sta. 21 does not cover the whole county. They assist where they are needed. For example, the night of the West Union fire, Sta. 21 was requested to be at Fair Play, to standby at the Station. Let's not mention the growing number of medical needs in the county. And just what part of the staff do you think you have more qualifications than? The office personnel?
You say it would be best for someone to sit at a station during the day, but the chief of Friendship said he doesn't want anyone stationed there. He is afraid they will get there and put the fire out before his volunteers arrive! WHAT!!!
Mr. Price cannot place the entire blame of the tax increase on his decline in raising funds. I guess it would be too obvious to think that the economy has any effect on that. To me it sounds like they are money hungry!
What does a lower ISO rating mean to you? It means very little to homeowners and meant nothing to the 9 firefighters that lost their lives in Charleston. They had an ISO rating of 1!
Better off with Mize and Head? You must like the type of people that stay out of sight and out of mind, knocking down $50,000 dollars a year and cannot pass a physical to be qualified to fight fire.
Funny how you say "Wayne, Dexter and Thift" instead of McCall, Dexter and Thrift! Seems like McCall made that same mistake not too long ago in a council meeting calling everyone chief except for "Ritchie".
I thought the council was elected to carry out the best interest of the people, not seek personal vengeance as we are witnessing.
March 14, 2009
10:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Ugottabenutz -
Lets see... growing number of medical calls. What 6 rescue squads and 17 fire stations?? Seems a little off balance when you compare the run volume.
Covering for Fair Play the other night - you honestly think that a 5.5 million dollar budget is worth what they do. Come on and be serious now. You must have studied under Carter's adminstration on economics if you believe that. Before 21 came to conception I am certain that Crossroads or South Union would have been more than happy to send a couple of guys to cover their station.
You talk about the Chief of Friendship, well there you go again with your lack of knowledge. He said in a meeting at Oakway along with several other chiefs is that is all they wanted from the beginning was help during the day. It seems funny we dont direct taxpayers money to places the way the loacl chiefs see fit.
You mention Mize and Head knocking down $50K a year.. yeah maybe together. Look at what the top four are making on top of the fringe benefits of three of them getting county cars and taking them to Anderson and Greenville.
I am glad you mentioned the office personnel. Maybe you should ask them how well they think this new department is working out??
The sad fact is that you are one voice as well as I, but when three people run for office and plainly state their agenda for six months about how they are running based on what their constituents are telling them. Kinda makes you look like the minority.
And about Mr. Price, I hear that he is running for county council in place of Mario and has some great backing to support his causes. But I guess he is just money hungry.
And by the way Ugotta let me let you in on a secret.... no come closer so I can whisper. (In my best secret voice) I know who you are and I might just be closer than you think. Oh and wait...
Psssst - OconeeVolunteer is not my spouse, just one of your and I colleages.... I'll send them your regards tonight and maybe they will respond.
One would think we were kinda "fishin" for you in the first place.
Night night
March 14, 2009
11:51 p.m.Report inappropriate content
From my understanding the 21 folks left Fair Play high and dry by running to West Union. Then CrossRoads quickly stepped up to cover the request.
There also seems to be another mis-statement about 21 covering the entire county. do they not get alerted to respond to all structure fires and on second alert to rescue calls everywhere in the county? That sound like covering the entire county, if true.
Surely there is some common ground that everyone can work on. Why must everyone else be wrong?
March 15, 2009
9:37 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I wish all of you people would zip up and stop this pissing contest!
Are you trying to tell me that Sta. 21 has never helped you? Have they never been there when you needed them? I can remember quite a few times that they have stepped in and been there to help, but no one wants to talk about that. I believe that the problem is with the top people, not the "Three men in a pickup". So why do you keep trying to insult them?
I have heard that all of the members of Sta. 21 received their EMT so they can be there to help the 6 rescue squads. And I think there are other fire stations doing this as well. So doesn't that level the "run volume" you speak of some? I thought the main goal of any Emergency Response team was to help the public when needed. To be there when called upon. Shouldn't they all be looking out for and helping each other instead of trying to knock them down and get rid of them?
March 15, 2009
10:47 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Get real, according to public record Mike Head's salary was $54,000 a year. He had the option to go to shift and be a shift captain but "hurt" his back the night before his physical. He failed the first one he had and was given a year to prepare for the second one. How does a man on disability volunteer for departments? Maybe it is just selective ignorance! Who's lack of knowledge?
Pssst, when we going fishing?
Good Morning!
March 15, 2009
1:21 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Just a comment on the money being spent on Station 21 being cancelled to calls and the amount of money that is being used to send them to calls.
We now have Walhalla Fire being sent to 1st Responder calls, they run in a Fire Truck. Where is that money coming from? We have Seneca Fire running First Responder calls, they run in a Fire Truck as well. Where is that money coming from?
We have Responders that go en route all the time to Emergent calls only to be cancelled by EMS. Where is that gas money coming from to run those County vehicles?
Seems to me like too many "Chiefs" are trying to make decisions they know nothing about.
It's time for someone with enough knowledge to put a stop to this bickering. My suggestion, go back to EMS running their own calls, Fire running theirs. Then let's see who's crying when they don't get the help the need!!!
March 15, 2009
1:21 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Why are you all hiding behind sceennames? This is exactly why we cant get anywhere as a group, because of fighting amoungst ourselves. We all agree there are problems but we can't even get together and discuss how to fix them like adults. If any of you know me and would like to discuss this like adults feel free to give me a call.
Sincerly,
Nate Carver
March 15, 2009
4:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Oh Please almighty Nate Carver enlighten all of us ignorant people. There is a common ground that needs to be reached. There maybe some changes that need to be made in the system. Change should be present in every organization.
If you aren't looking to make yourself better, then you are complacent. Going back to the old system, will set this county back 20 years. This is a flegling group as the paper states. People should figure out how to use Sta. 21 to their fullest abilities, not get rid of them. The training this group has can be a tremendous asset to the county. From what I've heard this group has a variety of high level training. I've been told they are not only Firefighters, but Paramedics, EMT's, Haz Mat Techs, Swift Water Rescue, Divers, Search & Rescue, Tech. Rescue. With these types of creditials, HOW CAN ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, SAY THEY ARE NOT AN ASSET TO THIS COUNTY!!!
By sending this group packing, you will be helping other counties while hurting Oconee County. If the people of Oconee County truely want to be the best, lets all get along and use all of our resources paid and volunteer. By working together we can TRUELY make this the best place in the world to live.
March 15, 2009
5:35 p.m.Report inappropriate content
First of all just4kicks i never said anything about getting rid of 21 i just said that everyone on here should man up and quit hiding behind a screen name. Obviously your very outspoken on the internet but why dont you speak your mind anywhere else. Are you scared that someone might challenge you or actually be able to prove facts to you. Unlike you i'm willing to LISTEN to all sides of a story. You have your opinion and apparently that is the only opinion that matters. AND FOR THE RECORD I NEVER CALLED ANYONE IGNORANT THAT WAS ALL YOU. All i said is why can't we get together as a group and figure it out? Feel free to email me at ncarver641@yahoo.com.
March 15, 2009
8:38 p.m.Report inappropriate content
You sound like you're running for office. All positions are full. You are like some of the others on here, talking out both sides of your mouth. If you had gotten hired by OCES, you would have been "All In" as Dabo would say. I suspect some of the other negative people out there are the same sour grapes. If read and comprehended my post, you have gotten the fact that I said, reach a common ground between the two sides. There is a solution to be reached for the best of the citizens of Oconee County, but egos and the "good ol boy system" need to be put aside.
March 16, 2009
1:58 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Folks above seem to be passionate which is excellent. Instead of bashing here, is there any suggestion on what the fix should be? Seems County Council is going to gut personnel and budget. If you guys do not agree to that, then why not make suggestions of what should be done. Casting stones is just a waste of time. If that is all you are capable of doing though, then there might be no more postings.
March 17, 2009
10:45 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Psyc43 - As far a running medic calls via fire department, maybe you should take a look at the national average. Google search "IAFC whitepaper" and see what the average is on fire service based first responders is today in our nation. Walhalla started this a long time ago with the graces of Rescue 4 and run thier fire district. I have not heard much griping due to this arrangment. Seneca uses a resuce truck that was donated to them, you can Google that on here also as the DJM did an article on it. I am not sure what area they run since no one ever knows what Seneca is doing. There are 17 fire stations and 6 rescue squads. Seems equitable to have the fire stations run since they are geographically closer. After all that was Rodney's plan anyway. He wanted to combine all fire and rescue in the county to eliminate long response times. In our area fire and rescue get along great without any crying or bickering.
March 17, 2009
3:39 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I think there may be some misundertandings.
1.GetReal,I believe psch was trying to say that Walhalla and Seneca along with Rescue are probably using county money to run rescue calls. What is the difference in them doing it and Sta.21. I don't think there was anything about rescue and fire bickering. As a matter of fact, I believe there is a Rescue 22 now? Keowee FD's version of Rescue 2. Everyone gets cancelled to all kinds of calls all the time. Sometimes it saves money for gas and sometimes it endangers peoples lives. Depends on certain peoples motives!
2. Pych, people do not run rescue calls to assist EMS. People run rescue calls to help the citizens until EMS arrives.