Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993 TAG: 9305050158
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER and KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
The crew's captain, Eddie Campbell, has resigned. He is on sick leave from his job as a deputy with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department.
The supervisors became aware of the problem when the bank that handles the squad's account approached them about the situation. The supervisors are advancing $15,000 to the organization to cover the debts.
The board also has started an independent audit of the crew's finances to see if any mismanagement is involved.
"The audit is being conducted with the support and cooperation of the crew's officers and directors," supervisors' Chairman Jerry D. White said in a statement after a closed board session Monday night.
Pulaski County Sheriff Ralph Dobbins said he has been unable to talk with Campbell, a patrol deputy with the sheriff's office for 11 years.
The county first turned to Dobbins' department to investigate the possible mismanagement, but Dobbins had to decline because Campbell was an employee.
The state police are conducting the investigation.
Dobbins said he is waiting for the investigation to be completed and to talk to Campbell before deciding his job status.
Roger Combs took over as captain of the squad Thursday. He said he preferred not to comment until the investigation was complete.
He said the squad's service to the community will not be affected as a result of the investigation, but worried that even if an investigation turns up no wrongdoing, it still leaves "a black eye" in the public's perception.
The board approved a supplemental appropriation of up to $15,000 as an advance to the rescue squad to cover the bills. It authorized county Administrator Joseph Morgan to arrange payments to squad creditors, making sure the squad is in a position to continue serving its part of the county.
"We basically knew that there were some transactions that were not generally explainable," White said Tuesday The question of further investigation beyond the audit cannot be answered until the audit is complete, he said. He could not say how long that might take, but he did not think it would be long.
The Pulaski County Life Saving Crew is a private entity, not managed in any way by the county. The county simply has contributed money to it, mainly toward building and equipment costs.
The county is served by two squads, the other being the New River Valley Emergency Squad, which is not involved in the audit. New River serves the town of Pulaski and part of the county area around it, and the Pulaski County crew covers the town of Dublin and its surrounding county area.
White said the board will continue to assist the Pulaski County Life Saving Crew to ensure its continued service to county citizens.
At their next meeting May 17, the supervisors will appoint an oversight committee to work with the crew.
The committee also will be required to provide recommendations to make sure that adequate accounting, bonding and auditing practices are in place for all fire and rescue emergency organizations that get contributions from the county.
White said one of the board's biggest concerns is making sure the squad is able to keep operating and serve those who depend on it.
by CNB