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Volunteer firefighter tells commissioners expired equipment, favoritism put responders at risk
Summary
A volunteer firefighter told the Torrance County Commission that expired gear, training shortfalls and preferential treatment of paid staff at a District Three station put volunteers and the public at risk. The board deferred the Fire Department update at the chief's request and accepted the public comment.
Steve Ritchardson, who identified himself in public comment as associated with the Fire Department, told commissioners he has served for 25 years and alleged expired medical gear, lack of training or licensing support for some volunteers, and a culture of favoritism favoring certain paid personnel.
"They're putting the public at risk by doing that... Purposeful separation of volunteer and paid people in the department," Richardson said, adding he felt unsafe when running calls. The item in the packet for a Fire Department update (item 8-A) was deferred at the Fire Chief's request; Fire Chief Gary Smith later told the board a $240.75 unauthorized oil-change purchase was an "honest mistake" and that he had not understood the PO process. Commissioners did not take additional disciplinary or investigative actions during this meeting but heard public concern and the chief's explanation.
