Oyster Creek assistant fire chief quits post

The city’s assistant fire chief has resigned amid disagreements concerning what he said is the decision to continue buying used bunker gear after a benefit aimed at raising cash for new gear. Fire Chief Lonnie Carr, however, said the incident was “miscommunication” because a bid was for discounted new gear that had been used only as display items.

The Oyster Creek Volunteer Fire Department also is waiting on an order of new gear, bought through a vendor and fit specifically for its firefighters.

Justin Mills resigned Tuesday over concerns the gear would endanger firefighters and its purchase would draw public backlash. He and other fire department members had told residents that a September barbecue fundraiser was for new gear.

“The reason I left is because I felt like I was the one that lied to the public when I said we were going out and buying new gear,” Mills said. “If you borrowed money from your parents to pay your electric bill and they come over the next day and your electricity is cut off, that’s bull.

“If you show up at a fire, a function, and the city comes in and wants to see the new gear that they helped you purchase, you better pull out some new gear,” he said.

Fire department board member Jim Overly said the gear issue had been addressed adequately, effectively and safely.

The department started purchasing used gear on eBay to stay within a $39,000 operating budget set by the city but replenish its stock of aging gear. Bunker gear has about a 15-year life, depending on the amount of wear it receives, and much of the city’s bunker gear is near or past that age.

The fire department’s barbecue fundraiser and auction raised $10,500.

Carr agreed with Mills that some new gear was purchased on eBay, but said it had never been used in a fire and met all standards.

The fire department has not placed bids on used gear since it won the bidding on the sets used as display items, Carr said. He placed an order for three sets of new gear with a distributor about one week ago, which were measured and fit for the firefighters set to wear them. They are set to be delivered in three weeks, he said.

Whether the latest eBay gear was used as display or not, it still is not new, Mills said. It was not fit specifically for Oyster Creek firefighters.

Mayor Louis Guidry said Carr informed him the gear was new, and he does not have a problem.

“I’m told that they’re safe, and that’s all I can go by because I’m not a registered, certified fireman that can tell you whether they are good or not,” he said.

“We found a distributor, and that’s the way we’re going now,” Carr said.

Mills said the department has some great guys. Carr said he hopes Mills returns to his post, but there are no immediate plans to fill the position.
By Nathaniel Lukefahr in The Brazoria County Facts