Manassas Seeks Resolution to Fire and Rescue Dispute

Agencies Clash Over Restructuring

Volunteer and career personnel with Manassas's three fire and rescue associations continue to clash over the organization's structure, forcing the City Council to take the matter into its own hands, council members said.

"I'm a little disappointed," said Manassas Vice Mayor Andrew L. Harrover (R). "If those guys could get together and come up with a solution, it would be a lot easier. Now council has to do it, and typically when that happens, people aren't happy."

Tension among the Manassas Fire and Rescue Department, the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company and the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad surfaced about a year ago, when the city revamped its fire and rescue system.

For decades, Manassas was served by a volunteer fire company and a volunteer rescue organization. But city officials voted to upend tradition and create a department that places operational duties under one citywide chief. The move was met with resistance as members of the volunteer companies feared losing their identity under the new organization.

The City Council had told officials from the three organizations to work out their differences. Although they agreed on some issues, including how to purchase equipment, some of the more crucial points, such as the organizational structure and the authority of the chief, were unresolved.

"Unfortunately, we were not able to accomplish the tasks, but it was not for a lack of trying," Manassas Fire and Rescue Chief Michael L. Wood told the Fire and Rescue Ad Hoc committee Tuesday. The committee consists of council members Harrover, Marc T. Aveni (R) and J. Steven Randolph (I).

Wood, whose vision has been supported by the Volunteer Rescue Squad, said he wants a centralized department in which he can maintain operational control of the three associations. He said he is committed to maintaining the volunteer departments but wants to create an operation in which people no longer distinguish themselves as part of either the rescue squad or the fire department.

"We agree with the plan to go forward," said Mike Enright, president of the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad. "We're at a point in time with fewer and fewer volunteers able to commit time, and we welcome the leadership of the career side. . . . We need their expertise in order to survive."

Members of the Volunteer Fire Company have a slightly different take.

Peter Pandolfi, president of the company, said that the organization supports having one person operationally in charge, particularly at a scene of an incident, but that when it comes to setting up procedures or dealing with other non-emergency situations, all three chiefs should be equally involved.

"What we're really looking for is some checks and balances," he said. "Unilateral decisions work well at the scene of an emergency but not well at a governmental level."

The Volunteer Fire Company also views the three fire and rescue associations as separate entities, not one, serving the city.