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MAYOR NEWBERRY REJECTS CHANCE TO AID IN INITIAL HAITI RELIEF EFFORT
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Updated On: Feb 28, 2010 (21:44:00)
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Early this morning, Ohio Task Force 1 was deployed as part of our nation’s effort to provide relief to the people of Haiti. Ohio Task Force 1 is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team composed of approximately 60 organizations from this region of the country. It is comprised of highly-trained technicians specializing in the type of rescue and relief efforts currently on-going in Haiti. LFUCG has a memorandum of understanding with FEMA that makes us a participating organization in the Task Force and the Lexington Fire Department has ten members who volunteer their time as Federal Rescue Specialists. They receive no compensation above their normal salary while on deployment and undertake training on a volunteer basis. While on deployment, the federal government reimburses municipalities for overtime costs incurred by the deployed members and also pays for employees to backfill the members’ vacated positions. In other words, municipalities are completely reimbursed for any costs incurred by deployment of Task Force members. Despite this, Mayor Newberry refused to allow our ten firefighters to be deployed with the rest of the Task Force. Local 526 has requested an explanation from Mayor Newberry, however he has thus far declined to comply. We find this action by the Mayor shocking, disappointing, and both ethically and morally abhorrent. During the hurricanes that struck the southeastern US in August of 2008, Ohio Task Force 1 was deployed and included members from the Lexington Fire Department. Lexington is well-represented by our members on this important Team and we are proud that they volunteer themselves above-and-beyond the call of duty to aid people from other communities when called upon. This action by Mayor Newberry is grossly irresponsible during a time of international response and an embarrassment to our community.
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