A group of volunteer firefighters decided they are finished with the Polk County Volunteer Fire Department, resigning in response to the termination of former Polk County EMA Director Randy Lacey on April 9.
Several volunteer firefighters – an official number has not yet been verified – dropped off their turnout gear and other equipment on the front steps of the Polk County Volunteer Fire Department as a protest against the firing of Lacey.
Lacey was dismissed earlier in the month in response to a March 25, 2021 letter sent to Lacey and the County over his involvement with alleged fraudulent training and service time submissions to the Georgia Firefighter’s Pension Fund made as Chief of the Department with his affidavit swearing them true and correct.
Included among those who stepped down was the County Volunteer Fire Department’s Training Director Jason Shuman. Lacey had included Shuman in his testimony previously before the Polk County Personnel Committee in his hearing to appeal his termination and permission he got for “call hopping” on time submissions by the Georgia Firefighter’s Pension Fund’s David Luther in previous in-person meetings over separate issues.
Shuman, who spoke earlier today to another news outlet, had yet to respond for comment.
County Manager Matt Denton provided the following statement this afternoon in response to the walkout of volunteer firefighters:
“The resignation of certain volunteer firefighters this morning was most unfortunate. The Polk County Volunteer Fire Department consists of dedicated men and women who serve their community faithfully. The firefighters who resigned this morning did not quit Polk County Government, they quit the community they served.”
A total number of volunteers who resigned was sought by the county, but a figure was not yet provided at the time of this posting.
Two other volunteers, who didn’t want include their names on the record because of current employment, did want it known the issue to them was clear: they support the former chief, and have decided that his termination was the final straw for their service in this department.
Volunteer firefighter No. 1, who requested to not have his name listed due to his employment status, said that today’s round of resignations likely won’t be the last.
“We’ve been talking and trying to figure out something to do to support Chief Lacey, because in my opinion they fired him for no reason,” he said. “We aren’t trying to walk out on the citizens of Polk County at all.”
He added that he heard additional volunteers were planning to turn in their gear as well, but hadn’t yet heard of anymore today.
Volunteer Firefighter No. 1 added that his more than a decade of service is proof of his commitment to helping the county. That’s despite keeping up a normal job and not being given more than $10 a call as a volunteer, sometimes having to cover multiple
“When they’re firing people for something that can be fixed… I don’t agree with that.”
He said until the current situation in the department changes, he and other volunteers will refuse to come back to the department to help fight fires at all hours of the day.
Volunteer firefighter No. 2 – also the second man to set down his gear this morning – also who wished to remain anonymous but wanted to explain his side of the story, said that turning in his gear this morning was a hard decision but he felt the need to support former Chief Lacey.
It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done this morning is to go and turn my gear in. There were tears shed by everyone there, and we didn’t want it to come to this. This is the only way we’re going to get any change.”
“I would stand beside Randy on anything that he’s doing. He’s been held back by the county, not letting anything move forward,” the former volutneer firefighter added.
He unequivocally said he wanted him re-instated since the Firefighter’s Pension Fund have yet to hear Lacey’s appeal. He also felt comments from County Manager Matt Denton were wrong. He felt the county government was at fault, and wouldn’t be returning until they figure out how to solve the issue.
“This thing about me quitting my community? This is completely wrong,” Volunteer firefighter No. 2 said. “I reached out to the Chief in Rockmart, and told him anything he needed me to do, I’d be there.”
Lacey, who appealed his termination in a hearing lasting more than an hour earlier in the month, still has the option to continue his appeal process before the full Board of Commissioners and will be able to do so once the County provides him with a response – within 10 days of the April 20 hearing – which would be by Friday.
He would then have to request to go before the full Board, likely set for the June session unless able to get on the May agenda for the County Commission’s work session next Monday.
He additionally has the right to appeal the termination of his pension and the ability to get back into the good graces of the Board for the Georgia Firefighters Pension Fund through a process already underway. Lacey said he hasn’t yet completed the process to go before the Georgia Firefighter’s Pension Fund but is in the works to have it in before the 60-day deadline that started on March 25 with receipt of the letter. That has to be filed before the end of May for consideration by the Board of Trustees for the fund.
They’ll hear evidence and testimony, and if they determine their decision needs modification or reversal they can do so if Lacey can prove his affidavits submitted were true.
Lacey was sought for comment about today’s events but didn’t wish to respond at this time.
Check back for more as this story continues to develop.
