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Greenville Fire
Chief Mark Wolfe (left to right) presents commendations to FF Robert
Wheeler,
FF Shannon Fritz and Lt. Shawn Brandenburg
Greenville
firefighters awarded commendations
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – Three Greenville firefighters were awarded commendations
at the Greenville City Council meeting June 18 for their quick action
when Firefighter Charles “Chuck” Gasper suffered cardiac arrest at a
recent fire.
The firefighters are FF Robert Wheeler, FF Shannon Fritz and Lt. Shawn
Brandenburg.
Greenville Fire Chief Mark Wolfe recommended the commendation that was
presented to each of the men. It read:
“Even though our occupation entails risks and rewards every day in
someone’s well-being, it is a rare event to put our skills to work on a
brother firefighter as you did on June 8, 2013. It is with the utmost
respect of your co-workers, the city administration, and the community,
that I commend you for your sound judgment and performing to the
highest levels of professionalism under severe stress when you attended
to Firefighter Gasper when he suffered a cardiac arrest at the fire on
North Hickory Drive on June 8th, 2013. Your swift actions resulted in
the successful resuscitation of Firefighter Gasper.”
Council members and city staff congratulated the Firefighters for their
quick action in saving one of their own. Fellow firefighters attended
the meeting in their support.
Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison addressed the legislation on the
evening’s agenda, the first of which was the commendation to the three
firefighters.
The second resolution was to re-fund the 2002 Waste Water System Bond
Revenue not to exceed $905,000. According to Greenville Auditor Roxanne
Willman, this would result in an approximate $357,450 savings to the
city.
The third was to purchase the new fire truck, a 2,000 gal/min quintuple
combination fire apparatus with a 100-foot aerial platform for
$955,209. Purchase price includes a reduction of $17,000 for the
current truck. Delivery of the truck will be on or before Aug. 31.
Financing is to take place over two years. If they went to three, it
would add another $300,000 to the cost. The first payment isn’t
scheduled to begin until June 2014.
Garrison said that Brumbaugh Construction will make the alterations to
the fire house for $7,000.
The fourth piece of legislation was to amend the Strength Ordinance for
the Water Plant staffing, the Fire Department and the Police Department
Dispatch. The proposed legislation was defeated.
Garrison asked if there was a specific area to which Council objected.
Council members Leon Rogers and Todd Oliver said their main concern was
Dispatch.
Councilman John Baumgardner asked why Greenville doesn’t use county
dispatch when other communities do it. Rogers said there is a problem
between the city and the Sheriff.
“We all need to grow up and resolve it,” he added.
Garrison noted this discussion has occurred before, adding that the
city recently spent $300,000 in the upgraded dispatch system.
Published courtesy
of The Early Bird
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