Fire Service Fight Moves To Manassas City Council

Proposal Could End Dispute Over Structure

The eight-month battle over the future organization of the Manassas Fire and Rescue Department could come to a head Tuesday when City Council members take the matter into their own hands.

Manassas Vice Mayor Andrew L. Harrover (R) will present a conceptual plan for the fire and rescue system -- a move he has said he had to make after the volunteer and career personnel from Manassas's three fire and rescue associations failed to agree on the organization of the system.

"We've been bogged down with this for far too long," said Manassas Fire and Rescue Chief Michael L. Wood. "We're at a point where we need to make a decision, and sooner would be better than later."

The public meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the city's Department of Public Works facility, 8500 Public Works Dr.

Harrover, who has shown portions of his plan to fire and rescue officials, said he did not want to share his entire proposal until Tuesday. He said he took a "hybrid approach" that attempts to address the concerns of all parties.

"We met with Vice Mayor Harrover, and there was a lot of talking and scribbling, but we are waiting to see something a little more concrete," said Manassas Volunteer Fire Company Chief Roger Ward. "Hopefully that will happen Tuesday."

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 create a department with a citywide chief. The move met resistance as members of the volunteer companies feared losing their identity under the new organization.

A fire and rescue ad hoc committee consisting of council members Harrover, Marc T. Aveni (R) and J. Steven Randolph (I) was formed, and the three organizations were told to collaborate and create a common vision for the department.

Those efforts failed.

Wood, whose vision has been supported by the Volunteer Rescue Squad but contested by the Volunteer Fire Company, said it is important that he maintain operational control over all three organizations. Under Virginia code, the city's fire and rescue chief possesses civil liability for all the operational activities of career and volunteer personnel, so it is important for him to have the authority to minimize personal and systemic liabilities, he said.

"Administratively they can maintain their identity, but operationally we need to be under a common chain of command," Wood said. "I believe I saw that in one of the vice mayor's proposals, and I hope it carries through."

Wood said he wants a unified purchasing and procurement process -- each organization now has its own budget -- and a plan that keeps volunteers involved with future strategic planning.