Following the termination of Joe Stratton and subsequent resignations of several other members of the Worden Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD), Philip Hackman has been named Interim EMS Director until a permanent replacement can be found for Andrew Zimmerman. Hackman has been with the WVFD for several years.
Zimmerman served as EMS Director for the Department for last three years until his resignation last Monday night. According to Zimmerman, the dismissal of Joe Stratton from the Worden Fire Department last Monday night was not in accordance with the bylaws of the department. Page 3 of the current bylaws states, “An individual shall be permanently suspended from Candidacy, Membership, and any other Department membership, as applicable, and from the Operational roster for any of the following:
5. By an unanimous vote of all members of the Board.”
A unanimous vote is required by the bylaws if a termination is brought up at a Board meeting. The vote to dismiss Stratton was a 3-3- vote, with the President of the Board casting the tie-breaking vote to terminate Joe. The bylaws state that termination could take place following a ¾ majority vote of all members at a special meeting, but the only vote which took place was of the Board, not the general membership. Stratton is evaluating whether or not there is any recourse for him given this information.
The Department is also looking to hire several EMTs who would be available during the day and is searching for a replacement treasurer and board member follow the resignation of Melissa Zimmerman. As of right now, Lockwood Fire and AMR remain on call for any medical calls to the area, but Chief Taylor and the Board are in the process of finding a more permanent solution. As additional information becomes available, we will keep you updated.
