APPLEBY, TX (KTRE) -
Appleby Fire Chief
Mike Shepherd said the cash-strapped department is "pretty much done" in the
wake of a recent development. On Wednesday, Shepherd confirmed that the fire
department's Emergency Service District contract has not been extended.
Although a motion was
made to keep the partnership, it died for a lack of a second. Shepherd said
without the $60,000 the ESD provides the fire department each year, it is "pretty
much done."
Tomorrow is the day
crew's last day. Shepherd said without a contract, the department can't legally
respond to calls as of December 31st.
Earlier this month,
two fire trucks were repossessed. Shepherd, who took over just last week, said
he doesn't know what will happen with the Appleby Fire Department's other
financed equipment and what was purchased through grants.
Shepherd informed Appleby
city leaders if they want to purchase any of the equipment or the building they
had better do it pretty quick.
After interim chief
Dave Crawford resigned following the fire truck repossessions, Shepherd
accepted the fire chief position earlier this month. He found that the fire
department had many past-due bills and financial woes.
In an earlier
interview, Shepherd called the mess with the Appleby Fire Department a
mismanagement of funds by Crawford, who is now living in another state.
Copyright 2012 KTRE. All rights reserved.
