Cape May to West Cape May: Don’t Respond to Our Fires

WEST CAPE MAY — Cape May Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies Jr. sent a letter dated April 6 to West Cape May Public Safety Commissioner Ramsey Geyer notifying the borough as of April 1, 2010, Cape May will no longer utilize the services of the West Cape May Fire Company. (Click here to download Inderwies letter)
In the letter, Inderwies said “it all comes down to one thing: SAFTETY.” He said while Cape May has offered their training and assistance to West Cape Fire Company, it has not accepted it.
“Chief McPherson has refused to adequately train his personnel to levels accepted by neighboring fire departments,” said Inderwies in the letter. “In addition, McPherson has ignored polices and procedures agreed upon at local chiefs meetings.”
In response, McPherson replied in an April 9 letter. He said safety has always been a major concern of the West Cape May Fire Company noting he sent three members to a national seminar covering fire injury and death in New York on March 13.
McPherson said there were at least three drills in which some of his members trained with Cape May Fire Department. (Click here to download McPhereson letter)
“I have been fire chief much longer than you have and have worked with a least four other chiefs from Cape May City and I have always worked well with them in a very professional manner,” he said.
McPherson said all his personnel have the necessary training as required by the State Fire Bureau.
“For you to make a statement that you will no longer utilize West Cape May’s services in fighting fires shows you have little concern for the citizens and visitors of Cape May,” said McPherson in his letter.
The matter will be discussed at Wednesday’s West Cape May Borough Commission meeting at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 732 Broadway.