FRANKTON, Ind. — Firefighters in full turnout gear lined the walls of Town Hall on Monday, helmet in hand, demanding the town board give them a contract increase — or risk losing fire protection altogether.
Frankton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rob Amick stood before the Frankton Town Council, rejected its proposed 2010 contract for fire services, and said that if the contract is not increased by $7,000, fire protection will be stopped.
In 2009, Frankton paid the department $22,000 for its fire protection services.
The town was ready to increase the contract by $1,000 for 2010, but Amick said his department needs $30,000 since it hasn’t seen a contract increase since 2001.
The Frankton Fire Department is an all-volunteer entity that contracts its fire services to the town of Frankton along with Jackson and Lafayette townships.
If the contract is not increased to $30,000 by April 1, Amick told the board, the fire department will no longer provide fire protection and emergency services within Frankton.
Before the meeting, Amick spoke to about a dozen firefighters at the fire station, addressing them about the proposed deadline.
“I hope I’m not leading you down the wrong road, man,” he said.
A chorus of voices rose from the crowd of firefighters, reassuring Amick that they stood behind his decision to impose a deadline on the town.
“This is not about bullying,” Amick said. “This is about brotherhood.”
Minutes later, Amick stood before the board.
“We are not going to be signing the contract. We need to go into negotiations,” he told the three-member town council.
Councilman Howard Sowers asked the chief if Lafayette and Jackson townships had drafted contracts with the fire department yet.
Neither has, and Jackson Township hasn’t paid the fire department all year, Amick told The Herald Bulletin.
Frankton Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Hudson argued that the town is suffering financially as a result of tax caps.
“You’re trying to get money from people who don’t have it,” she said.
Town Council President Lisa Corey argued that Frankton Fire Department’s coverage area is too large, and that perhaps it should be redistricted.
“You’re putting us in a position to contract with someone else,” Hudson said.
Amick said both Richland and Pipe Creek township fire departments have said they will not contract fire services to the town of Frankton.
Chief Bryan Frank of the Richland Township Fire Department agreed that his department would not take on the task.
“It’s stupid ... It makes no sense,” he said.
“They’re not going to circumvent their responsibility by contracting with us.”
Frank said the Richland station is too far from Frankton. “Who wants to wait 25 minutes on a fire truck when your house is on fire?”
Besides, Frank said, the job can’t be done for $23,000 a year.
“For $125,000, I would take that on and then I would contract it to the Frankton Fire Department anyway.”
The Herald Bulletin did not speak to the Pipe Creek Fire Department regarding its willingness to provide fire protection in Frankton.
Corey said the Town Council will need to meet again in executive session to discuss any increase to the fire contract.
Frankton volunteer firefighter Lt. Josh Hendrick said he’s encouraged by the response from Frankton residents. “The community is behind us. That’s the big part.”
Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
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Frankton fire chief gives ultimatum to town council
Fire chief: Raise the contract or lose the firefighters
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