Chief Branham told 12News the city administrator cut off a number of calls for firefighters to respond to in an effort to save money.
PINEHURST, Texas — The entire Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department made the decision to resign after frustrations with the city's administration hit a tipping point.
Nine men and women arrived to the station Monday evening to drop off their gear for the last time.
This result dates back weeks of conflict between firefighters and Pinehurst city administration.
"This will be the third time we've tried this. I'm done, you're not going to make me lose any more sleep!," Chief Shon Branham said.
Chief Branham tells 12News this all started last month when the new city manager took office.
The Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department began a contract with a new dispatch service in Bridge City on July 1.
That contract costs $14,100 per year (averaging $25 per call over a three year span). Their previous contract costs $13,000.
"They're going to bicker over less than $100 a month, that's ridiculous," Branham exclaimed.
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He says the city manager, Jerry Hood, believes cutting the number of calls will lower the cost but Branham says that's not the case ($14,100 is price in contract no matter the number of calls).
During a meeting between Branham, Hood and others last month, Branham told 12News the city decided to eliminate certain calls, deemed "unnecessary" for the fire department to respond to:
Assaults, breathing problems, chest pain, child birth, choking, diabetic emergencies, falls, overdose, seizures, stroke, traumatic injury, person down or unconscious
Since June 16, first responders at Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department have not been able to go to those types of calls. (Acadian has been responding)
"I'm sorry, I beg to differ. It's a necessary call, we are first responders," Branham said.
Firefighters were still allowed to respond to fire alarms, gas leaks, down powerlines, known cardiac arrest (CPR in progress) & MVC with fluid on ground.
With every volunteer now gone, Pinehurst resident Thomas Conway says no longer having these men and women serve the city is "Bottom line scary."
Conway told 12News that these first responders have helped save his mother several times after she's had a stroke.
"There's been times where we've needed assistance and this fire department was the first to respond, way ahead of Acadian," Conway said.
He questions why the city would do this now in the middle of a pandemic.
"We in the middle of an uncertain time and one of our main resources, you're telling them not to respond," Conway told 12News.
He also claims he was cutoff by city officials when trying to share his concerns with them.
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The volunteer fire department even created a petition to try and change the city's mind, but to no avail.
"We save property and lives, but we can't get any help from anybody from across the street over there," Branham emphasized. "I'm done with grief, I ain't getting paid for this!"
Branham, whose served as Pinehurst's chief for nearly a decade, told 12News he's also had to fight the city for new equipment.
Shortly after the resignations, Branham got on the phone with Bridge City dispatch and encouraged them to direct 911 calls (inside the city of Pinehurst) to West Orange or Bridge City if firefighters are needed.
Pinehurst administrator Jerry Hood tells 12News he is "disappointed and disheartened in the blatantly false information" Branham has been relaying to the media and citizens of Pinehurst.
Hood says "at no time was there a stoppage or denial for fire and medical services." Orange Fire Department is currently providing fire services for the City of Pinehurst and medical services have been and will continue to be provided by Acadian Ambulance Services.
MORE| Read full response from Pinehurst Interim City Administrator here
BREAKING: The entire Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department have decided to resign after frustrations with the city’s administration. Nine men & women dropped off their gear at the station Monday evening for the last time. I’ll have more details coming up on @12NewsNow at 10. pic.twitter.com/15twbloKal
— H. Tyler Seggerman (@TylerSeggerman) July 28, 2020
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