Fire department in Mason County not allowed to respond to calls after loss of insurance

Mason County’s Fire District 12 can no longer respond to emergencies. The agency which serves communities in and around Matlock has lost its insurance coverage.
The announcement of the impending loss of coverage was made in a special community meeting. It’s been a long road for Fire District 12, who have been wading deep through controversies that have led to this point.
In the meeting, it was stated the insurance company had many concerns about why they’ve lost faith in the district, including a failure to provide management oversight.
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[@jormugand5578]

So, if the fire department can't respond why do they need fire commissioners? Disband everything and start from the ground up.

[@smorris281]

Why does that volunteer dept have commissioners? Its not Chicago or NYC. All my local volunteer depts have boards elected by its members.

[@ej_22]

​@@smorris281size of the department is why they need commissioner

[@Raytracer96024]

Privatization of fire dept is a start

[@thatguy2224]

​@smorris281 We have elected fire boards here. Volunteers elect the officers, but voters elect the board. We will walk in and say a brush truck has loose steering, a broken leaf spring, needs tierods and they will say "is this a want or a need"?

[@hefywefy5331]

​@@Raytracer96024Quite possibly the worst thing to do

[@L.D.Intheditch]

"You guys need to stop" No you need to show receipts.

[@Mr.Happy7ODSubscribe]

Capitalism shows it's ugly head again

[@D__Lee]

If public money is unaccounted, you've got to have forensic accountants go through the "books". If the "books" have been "cooked", the accountants can trace the money. If Fire District 12 had been managed like a business instead of the fire commissioners' personal piggy bank, this wouldn't have happened.

[@loft306]

Watch the building housing. The books just mysteriously burn down.

[@davidlafleche1142]

That's Socialism for you.

[@gregorylyon1004]

They went broke paying lifetime pensions to retired firefighters. That's what they are not telling you

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@gregorylyon1004 Firemen have earned it.

[@caseyschryber1255]

@@davidlafleche1142not sure anybody ever earns a free life off the backs of other people. Especially when a majority of their career was spent sitting around eating taxpayer funded food

[@S_F_U_L]

The gall of those women refusing to resign after $165,000 of fraud! Leave and give the district back some peace of mind!

[@casualobserver7867]

In all fairness, it MIGHT not be fraud. It COULD be incompetence. In the long run, I don’t if it matters which. Both should resign. The longer they stay, whether due to ego or desire to prevent possible charges, the worse it will be for everyone.

[@JStorm13]

You can tell funds have been misappropriated because the exterior looks like crap

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Rural fire commissioners are untouchable in the public sector. They can be recalled but short of that there are no penalties or discipline oversight for this group. Elected Fire Commissioners who decide they want to run their districts rather than provide oversight and budget mgmt are extraordinarily dangerous. This group needs consequences and mgmt rules at the state level.

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

State level politicians? Thats a solution?😂 Sounds like a way to make a problem worse and more expensive

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

@@pitchforkpeasant6219 Don’t know if you’ve seen the damage done by well meaning fire commissioners. There actions have cost many excellent fire chiefs their jobs. They have destroyed morale and dept budgets. They have mismanaged personnel land policy. All because they took on a responsibility they weren’t qualified to handle in the first place. Oh yeah, they have made countless lawyers very rich at the expense of taxpayers. There are no consequences for their actions. They can’t even be civilly sued as they are employees of the district. There needs to be oversight.

[@thechh8297]

Wtf is mgmt

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

@@thechh8297 management

[@willdejong7763]

I agree with the trucker, 100%. Hopefully this gets sorted out soon.

[@spnd2mch]

They must be making LOTS of money since they refuse to step down.

[@smorris281]

I'm not from that area, but if that's a county fire dept, volunteer or not, why doesn't the county have any oversight?

[@gregorylyon1004]

They want to collect the lifetime pension the job comes with

[@loft306]

Dan, dang the fire commission. Looks like they ate all the missing money.

[@aznepicboii]

They both need to sued and pay for all the funds missing. And resign from their position.

[@epicstyle1000]

There should be sent to jail

[@Viper42104]

911 Dispatcher: State of Emergency please Caller: MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE! 911 Dispatcher: Do you own Home Fire Insurance? Caller: Uh No...... 911 Dispatcher: *HANGS UP*

[@joecummings1260]

Actually that is how fire departments started. They were owned by insurance companies and there was a placard on your building. They only fought fires for buildings they insured. It was a system that didn't work out well, not to mention most of the firemen were guys recruited from the taprooms, so they were all drunk off their ass

[@1lyric007]

They need to step down, good god...

[@brentfarvors192]

Or, wheeled out...Point being that no company will insure a known liability...

[@1lyric007]

❤

[@DMTX2]

They probably can't without a footstool. lol

[@larryg.9187]

Freaking oversized commissioners are corruptly spending the town cash on hot dogs, pizza, triple cheeseburgers, etc... 🤔 😂 ...

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

State a federal politicians do it. Why not the rest of em?😂

[@lazynow1]

oink oink....

[@timbrown9305]

@@pitchforkpeasant6219 Like the name.

[@dpdiver1]

Everyone in that room looks plus size😂

[@peterrudy9207]

Criminal investigation

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

They investigated themselves and found no wrongdoing

[@ianbattles7290]

So...what happened to all the taxpayer dollars that were supposed to pay for this???

[@meatpopsicle1567]

They went to the all you can eat buffet at the Golden Corral, obviously.

[@gregorylyon1004]

They spent all of the tax dollars paying lifetime pensions to retired firefighters. Duh

[@meatpopsicle1567]

@@gregorylyon1004 You're just bent out of shape because you won't get into good enough shape to pass the firefighter physical agility tests. Right?

[@kaminky228]

@@gregorylyon1004pension to volunteer firefighters? That’s not how that works pal

[@lowlifetrent959]

house insurance goes up bc theres no active fd within 5 miles

[@I_Dont_Answer_Questions]

Can tell you have never owned property, and never been in a rural area in your life.

[@lowlifetrent959]

@@I_Dont_Answer_Questions tell ur mom i said hi

[@netking66]

The original fire departments were run by insurance companies! However they only put out fires on clients' premises or where the premises were endangered by an adjacent fire. Then the insurance companies would cooperate so one fire house would deal with fires where the premises were covered by any of the cooperating insurance companies. So arguably the insurance company is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

[@alphacharlietango969]

Bob Ferguson has known about this problem for a long time and done nothing.

[@toddburgess6792]

Here's the other one.

[@pitchforkpeasant6219]

@@toddburgess6792the other one what? Blame politicians on the left ALSO? Meaning “both” so called sides

[@toddburgess6792]

@@pitchforkpeasant6219 That comment was duplicated, so I got two votes and two comment-replies, but they snuffed one of the twins, rendering my comment, null and void.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Ferguson had a good excuse. His 42 lawsuits against Trump distracted him from doing his job protecting taxpayers here. How did all that money and billable hours turnout btw? Don’t recall any judgements. Sort of like the vaporized after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the lawsuits. Oh wait, he is running for office. Pray for defeat. He will make Insley look like a conservative.

[@GR3YD3ATH]

cause they take after his own heart...

[@Iofielruin]

Our tax dollars are being put to work well…..

[@notanindianscammer7594]

No they are not? that's why they don't have insurance

[@IrishGamerJG]

Its sarcasm ​@@notanindianscammer7594

[@Iofielruin]

@@notanindianscammer7594 clearly, you can’t read sarcasm…..public safety should have been taken care of first with our tax dollars, now if there’s a fire, I’m gonna loose my house? I don’t think so, the people running in charge of this should be fired immediately. As a tax paying citizen of this state and county, I’d like to request an audit of wtf they are doing with our money……

[@catdaddy2643]

Just make sure they are paid please

[@brentfarvors192]

No; It's why they lost their insurance...Cost is not the issue here; Outright legitimate refusal is...

[@calyx93]

Seems like another Dalton, IL in the making. Eeesh

[@johnpatrick9552]

*Dolton

[@ianbelletti6241]

A fire chief that lets their department become uninsurable is incompetent and should be fired.

[@1964corvan]

What.....no "comments" about knowing the color of their skin before clicking, or about reparations, or 13%........funny how that works for some news vids and not others....

[@dennisschoenaurer4152]

Sell it to a private contractor

[@joecummings1260]

Check out Union Fire Co in Bensalem Pa. They bought a multimillion dollar fire boat with mine detectors, a holding cell, all kinds of high tech cop/fireman toys. Then they rammed a dock at the marina with it. And this was a small volunteer fire co

[@vickismith3052]

Those two people need to be investigated for theft of founds you could tell when they said they wouldn't step down what will they think when something bad happens and no help but thats miles away

[@ThatCrazyDogLady74]

Now the two women are both on a trip together on your tax dollars

[@meatpopsicle1567]

To the buffet at Golden Corral!

[@I_Dont_Answer_Questions]

What is with the constant mention of "tax dollars"....

[@meatpopsicle1567]

@@I_Dont_Answer_Questions Because public funds are alleged to have been misused. Public funds = taxes dollars.

[@I_Dont_Answer_Questions]

@@meatpopsicle1567 No you clowns think you can leverage it for entitlement. You're the type to cheer Trump for cheating his taxes then turn right back around and be proud and entitled when you over pay. All while not seeing how you have been played by the wealthy.

[@jbreezy101]

“We need insurance so that the fire department can respond. If we lose the response due to no insurance I am not going to blame the firefighters, chiefs or the insurance companies.”

[@holeechit7449]

165000?? Looks like the two have been eating good.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Time reorganize the fire district management. Start by having trustee oversight of management of the budget. Right it appears the commissioners have unfettered access to the coffers.

[@blessedfire365xgf]

Newsflash it's not a fire station anymore 😢

[@christiangibbs8534]

According to another related story, the 2 fire commissioners did step down a week later. However, the insurance company has not yet reinstated the insurance. The county has officially declared a state of emergency, so they can get help from other counties and the state. It also allows them to recruit volunteers on an emergency basis. Two retired fire chiefs have already started training the volunteers. So the problem has not been completely solved, but the situation is not so hopeless as when this video was posted. Also, the FBI has been investigating both these commissioners and the previous commissioners for fraud.

[@barryshannon5253]

Audit the commissioners.

[@AllieThePrettyGator]

Thats not fair...how will there be any emergencies without the fire brigade?

[@thekrayers]

those women are stealing that money!!! we all know it!!! wtf! this is ridiculous.

[@brianscott.]

Are those two "commissioners" still being payed? And if so, why?

[@darkninjacorporation]

So these two women screwed up so many times that they got their insurance taken away. If they’ve mysteriously lost over a hundred thousand dollars I wonder what they spent it on?

[@yt650]

Fire departments, just like any other organization, lots people wanting to run the show and not a real good grasp on what should be done legally. I appreciate the fire department and what they do but I can tell you they're more interested in many cases to be able to ride in a firetruck with lights on and the siren going. There are as bad as the police department, you give a man a badge and a gun and you got trouble. It is my understanding from a company that I worked with that in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in decades past, different fire departments had different fire hydrant attachments and threads so an adjoining fire department in the city couldn't use their fire hydrant. Although I can't confirm it I was told by the manufacturer of adapters that there were seven different sizes at one time and of course you know that was all about territory.

[@malachiteofmethuselah9713]

Insurance is a blight on the world. Stop asking villians for permission to do the right thing. Remember what "Do not tread on me."

[@Dragonfly_vbz]

Some fire districts say they never lost a foundation yet... 😮

[@ronhensley5436]

You don't hold shit in your hand and squeeze it, you drop it and let it go.

[@betsyoman7173]

You have an audience outside of your local area. What state are you in? Do I have to google it?

[@Christine-db2hq]

Yes.

[@williegutierrez2337]

Good for that community. Guarantee the lady speaking at the table has about 65K In her account and eating out every day. But of course UBER SO SHE CANT BE SEEN.

[@Zimfier3]

Why is insurance needed?

[@norm5785]

Wowsers. Hope 🙏 all gets back on track.

[@SammmN]

This makes my blood boil.

[@michaeldecker2725]

Geez this country is going down fast!

[@dannythunder3180]

How does something like that happen

[@gregorylyon1004]

They went broke paying lifetime pensions to retired firefighters

[@dannythunder3180]

@@gregorylyon1004 does it say that the fire company was in arrears?

[@Shuttletrain]

That’s why we need paid full time countywide tax supported Fire/EMS for each county along with central dispatch center for all public services.

[@sarchizm]

Everyone in the county gets a BUCKET, done and done!

[@adrienneanderson-smith2257]

🤬😱😱😱🙏✝️

[@MUCKFOOT399]

every state in usa has a Mason County.

[@coryburns9161]

They mismanaged the money and they say they did nothing wrong and are not stepping down

[@MinionofNobody]

Well, I guess that’s one advantage to me living in a city that is big enough to self insure.

[@Kotie1981]

Names of women are: Kelli Walsworth and Cinda Compton

[@donnarogers7732]

What Dtsye is this in?

[@caver38]

Just shows how badly the US is governed , this should not happen

[@GR3YD3ATH]

they should run for governor or ag. they'd be a perfect fit... move along.

[@heathercloete7450]

How did they lose their insurance???? Why are the funds not audited by a licensed auditor??? This sounds ridiculous.

[@jimorgain63]

its sad the poor counties get screwed, in kittitas upper county alone we have 5 brand new fire departments for about 10,000 people

[@evosolutionsllc.910]

Sickening.

[@spdychevy]

Lol, now court mandated community service can be called "volunteering". Good thing you found such an upstanding member of the community to interview. Now, who's done jail time or will be doing jail time? WTG Matlock community, hope you get some fire insurance and legal and trained competent responders soon 👍

[@janwest5627]

what state?

[@gregorylyon1004]

Michigan

[@BJJ808]

Put all them in the Feds for stealing

[@chrisregister8021]

Seriously WTF!!!

[@johnevans1969]

Screw insurance! Who the hell can afford ANY insurance

[@Keaton0801]

Especially if you own a Kia or Hyundai. My neighbor just had to trade in their Kia because their insurance company dropped them due to the high risk of theft. Even in the Red State of Georgia, Kia’s are uninsurable due to them getting stolen by kids whose parents never gave them any punishments, because their kids could do no wrong.

[@robwiljas]

@@Keaton0801 Government robs the people daily, and you blame the kids parents for them stealing? Look at the example our own government sets. Robbing people, violating the constitution, no consequences whatsoever. It's no wonder the youth are stealing too.

[@gregorylyon1004]

​@@Keaton0801criminals sure must be desperate to steal a junk Kia or a Hyundai. LOL

[@gregorylyon1004]

Paying lifetime pensions bankrupt them

[@brucezook-rt1gh]

The former commission ers misspent $700,000 with shady receipt. They all quit

[@tiakennedy1681]

That's crazy

[@scottyj8135]

Why is my comments getting deleted

[@marktucker208]

Loool America really is a crazy place

[@Bear-nu8xm]

Just looking at those two you know they ate the funds!

[@celebrityrog]

Well then, defund and close the station and remove all pensions. We pay for this service in our taxes so if you can’t as a government agency work properly and have the power to change insurance policies by force then I say your power isn’t worth the money we pay so no reason to have you around.

[@LordLucariosLair]

I'm sorry; but those two do not look anywhere close to qualified, for being anywhere near a commissioner.

[@mikehatfield1531]

Looks like there was a great deal of money spent on candy bars and ice cream.

[@gregorylyon1004]

They threw all the taxpayers money away paying lifetime pensions to retired firefighters

[@NextNate03]

Insurance or no Insurance, they still have to do there job. They don't need insurance to fight fires.

[@meatpopsicle1567]

Um, yes. Yes, they do.

[@gregorylyon1004]

They don't need lifetime pensions to fight fires either

[@meatpopsicle1567]

@@gregorylyon1004 So, you're saying you don't want there to be any professional firefighters who risk their lives in the service of their communities and be compensated for their service and sacrifices. Nice. You're a real humanitarian, aren't ya.

[@Jackson_2329]

Them big ol ladies are fire commissioners?

[@williamgeardener2509]

Rent the board out for obesity ads. After all, they've probably eaten the budget.

[@steveschultz300]

Society today has an obesity problem. Way too much flab on people. Due to excessive sugars from sodas.

[@richarddecker9515]

My cousin is in fire company, BEERS, BIG EXPENSES

[@Beverly-b8r]

your property tax dollars are subject to the corrupt crime families. IF they decide for themselves, oh well! it is them who controls all the finances and its them who decides who gets services or not! you still have to pay even though you dont benefit from the services!b YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PAY CORRUPT OR NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ctfinneman]

Those two used that money to buy nissan altima's

[@meatpopsicle1567]

They drive them down to the all you can eat buffet at Golden Corral.

[@thefourhorsemen91]

Another "L" for the Seattle area. This is getting so horrible it's actually funny now.

[@KirkHermary]

The missing money was literally ate up by those fat blimps.

[@Coloribus2004]

Ok no one start a fire or drive till they solve their issues

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

This is what happens when you allow a couple of “Karens” to run a serious organisation.

[@americanoutdoorsman_1133]

The commissioners are embezzling the money. They have nasty attitudes as well.

[@shad-o-band]

Looks like an Idiocracy prequel?

[@MrMountain707]

Those women should seriously consider trying salads.

[@HaaraldEigerson1066]

They’d still be grazing a lot.

[@Demonstrait]

American way to save people lives you have to buy an insurance plan to do it

[@Jo3W3st]

Yeah they all sound like they know very little about the truth.The problem is ignorant people can't listen they believe what they believe.

[@StevenCombs-dy1pt]

This country is in the toilet

[@J4sse]

These don't look like firefighters. DEI?

[@meatpopsicle1567]

They ate the real firefighters.

[@WATrafficCamResponses]

This is Mason County wa… how could this be DEI lol

[@salty_dabs3565]

Where is Gov Jay. I hope people wake up.

[@tymcfadden8496]

So now it's Inslee's fault that two RIGHT WING cows stole money from a CONSERVATIVE COUNTY??? you people are rabid.

[@ashshirey3052]

human screwup v wanting something for nothing

[@gregorylyon1004]

No. They want the lifetime pensions as well. Now that's something for nothing

[@kbunny3410]

Help anyways.

[@robynsnest8668]

DEI hires?

[@deemaverick987]

The usual suspects.

[@iamdenislara]

I am so happy corruption does not discriminate gender 😊

[@GigGgles]

This is why you people are living in hell. Wanting people to go to jail. Focus your anger on the insurance company not your own people. Divide and conquer. Your needs will never be met if you are at each others throats. The odea that emergency fire cannot function without insurance is the problem. Insurance companies are getting too big for their britches

[@dannythunder3180]

Depends on why the insurance company cut them loose. If it is for payment arrears, they should get cut

[@jeffdunnell6693]

Hahaha,women ate it all.

[@ericspuck6569]

This is what happens when Trumpers run things.

[@MrCBeery]

That's bullshit. A fire dept should be able to do itsvjob no matter what. The fire dept existed before insurance was even thought of.

[@gregorylyon1004]

They spent all of the money paying lifetime pensions to retired firefighters