WEST CAPE MAY – The state Department of Fire Safety visited the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company examining training records and documentation, finding only one discrepancy, a course offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) taken online.
At a May 26 meeting, Borough Commissioner Ramsey Geyer, who also serves as Commissioner of Public Safety, said the state did not approve of taking the FEMA course via the Web. He said the course has been rescheduled with a certified trainer from the state.
In April, an issue was raised as to the level of training and preparedness of the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company.
In an effort to eliminate that concern, Geyer contacted the state Department of Community Affairs Department of Fire Safety and requested a procedure to have a team of qualified fire personnel come to the borough and do a review with the fire company of its records, training, equipment and certifications.
In addition, the state Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health division was also contacted to come to West Cape May to look at the fire hall, procedures and documentation. Geyer said that team will arrive on June 22 and spend a day examining medical records and health related issues.
He said the state Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Department of Labor would also visit the fire company to review elements pertaining to safety issues of public employees.
“The process is moving forward,” said Geyer. “We are pretty much at the control of the state agencies based on their manpower and their availability.”
He said the state agencies were working with a limited budget and manpower which has slowed progress.
The borough will receive a full report from the agencies and any recommendations for improvement.
“Will the DCA be handling any of the financial investigation or research,” asked Mayor Pamela Kaithern. “Who is going to be doing that?”
“Nobody,” replied Geyer. “That’s not part of the requirement for occupational safety and health or performance of the fire company. They don’t do financial studies.”
“So no one is going to be looking into money,” asked the mayor.
Geyer said the state agencies were looking at equipment, training and certification.
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