Cabinet View department is capable, necessary, former firefighter contends
Letter to the Editor,
This letter deals with the dispute between Cabinet View Fire Department and other agencies.
My wife and I reside on Libby Creek Road, in the Cabinet View Fire Department boundaries.
I am a former fireman and medic with a fire department in California. I heard of the problems and allegations here with CVFD, so I decided to investigate the allegations by a brief presentation at the board meeting five weeks ago.
I found a very competent group of dedicated volunteers who felt they were being held back from doing what they were trained for.
There are a number of fully trained EMTs there who can’t help the people in the district because of pettiness, all firefighters should get along. Period!
Why this has gotten so far out of hand is not understandable, now both sides don’t trust each other, and now a lawsuit?
One of the most disturbing facts is that CVFD can’t respond to my house to administer immediate aid until Libby ambulance arrives. This is childlike and does the voters and taxpayers in CVFD no good.
The first three to five minutes of a medical emergency are the most important, I can have an EMT from CVFD here in three to five minutes, but they are not allowed to come.
This whole mess is childlike and will not be tolerated by the voters and taxpayers of CVFD district.
I know Chief Tom Wood and not a finer man or firefighter there is, and I also know some of the volunteers from his station, all good firemen. Why the trouble?
It has been explained to me the powers in Libby don’t want our fire department, CVFD. Well you live there, and we live here, we in this district leave your matters alone so please do the same for us.
On the matter of CVFD being told not to respond to calls or medical emergencies in our district: We’re talking possibly saving lives or helping in an emergency, I take issue with that.
Sit down at a table like reasonable adults and talk out this problem. I am sure it can be worked out.
As far as dissolving CVFD we are here to stay! And if I am denied medical treatment by CVFD I will start another lawsuit.
Do not interfere with our personal safety because of pettiness.
—Ross Purviance
Libby