After Firefighters Arrested For Sex Assault, Other Departments Pitch In

ELLIS COUNTY (CBS 11 NEWS) - Jean and Mike Bernard say they have happily relied on volunteer firefighters in Ellis County's emergency services district 6 for 15 years.

But the arrests of five volunteer firefighters on aggravated sexual assault charges deeply troubles Mrs. Bernard. "It's disgraceful that they allow these kind of people in those kinds of positions."

The president of ESD 6, Joe Williamson, who oversees the volunteer fire department insisted Wednesday they have enough manpower.

But Ellis County leaders became concerned about staffing levels because the five firefighters charged represent 20 percent of the staff.

So they started calling fire chiefs in neighboring cities, including Waxahachie's, to help protect residents within the district and outside the cities' boundaries.

Waxahachie Fire Chief Ricky Boyd says, "So them knowing their resources are going to be reduced, they contacted us to see if they cold provide better coverage."

Chief Boyd says his city previously had a mutual aid agreement with the ESD 6, in which volunteers would call them out to a scene if they needed more help.

Now, the chief says as long as his crews aren't answering calls in his city, they will respond to a fire call in district six immediately.  "Normally, we would send one engine to a structure fire. But we have made a commitment that if they have a structure fire, we will have a full response, 3 engines, a truck, and a battalion chief."

In an additional move Wednesday, Ellis County Fire Marshal Joe Stewart said he or someone from his department will respond to every fire call in ESD 6 to make sure there's enough manpower and equipment on scene.

That comes as a relief to the Bernards, who want to know help will arrive quickly if they ever need it.

Mr. Bernard says, "Very good, cause I'm familiar, I'm friends with a few of the firefighters in the city, and they're very good."

Mrs. Bernard agrees, "We're way out here, and I think we need to make sure that we're covered somewhat out here."

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