A host of New Boston firefighters resigned from their posts last week including Assistant Chief Mike Fuller and other top level members of the New Boston Volunteer Fire Department.
In his letter of resignation Assistant Chief Mike Fuller stated that recent budget cuts in the department had left it without the basic needs required to run it. He stated, “I do not feel under Chief Taillon’s command that the members of the department are working safely and effectively… Equipment such as fire trucks, tools needed to assist with firefighting and vehicle extrication, and batteries for the radios, none of these things are being managed properly, causing a safety issue for the firefighters using the equipment, as well as the citizens involved in the crisis. Medical equipment and supplies needed for the EMR-certified members responding to medical calls are not being purchased. Not to mention more than $15,000 coming out of the budget for an insufficient radio system, that still does not work beyond the city limits of New Boston.”
Fuller went on to note that there was a lack of communication problem between the Fire Chief and his chain of command and that Chief Taillon would not ask for assistance from any outside fire departments, other than Simms VFD, and was not with the Bowie County Fire Chiefs Association.
