Prince Frederick, MD – Recent comments from the Calvert County Commissioners’ board president that were critical of a local volunteer fire department seeking to renovate its headquarters have drawn the ire of the firefighters.
The remarks were made by Commissioners’ President Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R – District 3] during the board’s July 26 meeting. That meeting included a work session about how staff should proceed on plans to replace buildings for the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department (Company 2) and the Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad (Company 4).
In a letter posted on Company 2’s web site and signed “The entire membership of the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department Inc.,” the volunteers stated Slaughenhoupt “quoted statistics and examples that were inaccurate and proceeded to use the same information to make multiple accusations. The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department was blindsided by the attack. We learned of his allegations, opinions and concerns along with the rest of the county while watching the televised broadcast of the meeting later that evening.”
Company 2 officials further described Slaughenhoupt’s comments as “slanderous, negligent and erroneous.”
During his remarks, Slaughenhoupt expressed his dismay about learning that the Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad (Company 40 was having trouble getting a volunteer to drive an ambulance to make a call. According to Slaughenhoupt, the chief of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department (Company 5) drove to Company 4 and the proceeded to drive the ambulance on the call. The chief saw Company 2 members “standing out in the parking lot [of Company 2, located a short distance from Company 4] waving because they didn’t want to go over and drive an ambulance.”
Company 2 officials labeled Slaughenhoupt’s account “an incorrect interpretation of facts concerning assistance to Company 4 as it relates to assistance for ambulance calls. To date, there has never been contact by President Slaughenhoupt or any representative of the county government with any leadership representative of our department to discuss this alleged incident.”
Slaughenhoupt told The BayNet that his concern is that Company 2 and Company 4 officials want county government to construct new buildings for the volunteers but he feels they first need to address the operational issues that need to be resolved.
The commissioners’ president stated there are no issues at the tactical level, as individual volunteers are training and performing at a satisfactory level. It is at the strategical and operational level—specifically regarding emergency medical services—where issues need to be addressed before the county spends millions on two capital projects.
Slaughenhoupt noted that Prince Frederick has two companies “that don’t communicate with each other.” He suggested a solution might be to establish a paid fire and rescue service for Prince Frederick.
Company 2 officials labeled Slaughenhoupt’s comments “a bold statement that neither the members of the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department nor the citizens of Calvert County should take lightly.” They went onto state that such a plan “would be a significant tax burden on the citizens of Calvert County. It is important to note that President Slaughenhoupt is targeting the department that is the highest functioning in the county. Given our station’s impeccable record, that does not seem like a prudent use of taxpayer dollars.
Company 2 officials have requested Slaughenhoupt issue a “public apology for his actions.” When asked if such an apology was forthcoming, Slaughenhoupt declared, “heavens, no. There’s no need to apologize when you are speaking the truth.”
To read Company 2’s letter in its entirety, click here.
To view the video of the July 26 Calvert County Commissioners’ meeting click here.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com