ADVANCE DISMISSES FIRE CHIEF; OTHERS RESIGN

ADVANCE -- Instead of putting out the fire, the Advance City Council apparently fueled the flames when it decided to terminate the city's fire chief this week.

Since Monday when Jeff Romines was fired, four fire department volunteers have resigned in protest.

The situation is a simple difference of opinion that has been blown out of proportion, said Advance Mayor James Harnes. He said a new chief likely will be selected from the group that remained loyal to the city.

Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie Martin has been named acting chief.

"The mayor and council doesn't have to give a reason for termination," Harnes said. "The statutes are clear in that. Usually the individual concerned knows the reasons."

Romines, who was appointed fire chief last September, said the city's fire department has been neglected for the past 15 years. "They want it run like the 1950s," Romines said, adding that firefighters don't have the proper equipment to fight house fires.

Fire volunteers say the problems began when Romines, who has 21 years of firefighting experience, wanted to update the department's equipment and the city didn't want to spend the money.

Romines had arranged a lease-purchase program for protective clothing and oxygen tanks but the city didn't approve the agreement.

"I have $5,000 in a rural fire account that I couldn't touch," he said. The department sells rural fire protection tags for $35.

Despite claims that the battle is over money and equipment, Harnes said the chief was fired because he didn't work with the city.

A volunteer firefighter who wished to remain anonymous said the issue was more personal. "They've done it to the police and now it's the fire department," he said, adding that the residents are really losing the battle.

Romines agreed: "This is the same council that in April fired all of the police department."

In February, residents complained about the number of tickets being written by policemen. The city council took no action against residents' criticisms until after the April election.

Regardless of the recent personnel changes, eight firefighters remain with the department. All fire personnel except the chief are volunteers.

"If we made a mistake we will pay for it in the next election," Harnes said.