Etna FD – Back In Service

[photopress:patch_small_1_2.jpg,full,centered]

AT A PACKED TOWN HALL MEETING last night, the Etna, Maine, Board of Selectmen did what they should have done last week. They restored the town fire department to active service.

Their dispute with Fire Chief Rick Goodell is being “investigated” to resolve the issue (whatever that is) and while that is being taken care of, they have suspended him and appointed the EMS Chief, Sean Harrington, as the acting fire chief. Fireground supervision will be effectively handled by Capt. Walter Gibbons, a past fire chief.

No sooner had their equipment been re-issued and they went back “on the air,” when they were tapped out for an assist call on a structure fire.

We hope to get more details on the Town Meeting later this morning.

Update: Chief Goodell has reported his status and offered some more information on the situation by posting in the Comments section. Click on “comments” to read his report.

Share and Post on Facebook, Twitter and More:

Featured from across Fire/EMS

Chief Goodell

I am pleased to see services restored, as this has been my primary goal since the moment of closure.

I received a 2-week suspension, with 1-week already served. I return to duty as Fire Chief at 00:00hr on Oct 29 (My birthday, ironicaly.) I have also beem directed by my Town Manager to cease posting video of any kind.

As indicated, Capt. Gibbons (past Chief) will oversee operations and EMS Chief Harrington will assume financial responsibilities during my absence. It should be noted that Capt. Gibbons is also a Town Selectman, and therefore can not legally assume financial responsibilities.

With services restored, I can now rest comfortably... I plan to spend the next week enjoying time with my wife and son, and expect to see my normal appetite and sleep patterns restored as well.

I would like to thank our citizens for the overwhelming support of our Department. I would also like to thank Firegeezer.com and readership for the interest in this story...

I sincerely hope these events open discussion on several topics for Fire Departments everywhere.

Chief Goodell

Cam Martin

Chief:

As I watched this news story this morning on Channel six, I had eerie flashbacks of my own experience as chief in February of this year.

Your official announcement was almost word for word what my town manager told me to say, even though the circumstances of my situation were different. As usual, the media does not report what is really going on. I know exactly what you are going through. I offer you my support and tell you there is life after this...

Small town politics score one again.

Cam Martin
former chief
Falmouth, Maine