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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

A county fire department chief and former EMS director told county commissioners that the emergency medical services in Davie is in trouble.

“It is a mess,” said Mark Hancock, former director. “Ya’ll know the problem, I don’t. I’m not internal. I put my heart and soul into that place for 32.5 years. When I left, it was a well-oiled machine. What has happened? The train has jumped the track.”

Hancock said he has had more than one former co-worker visit. “They sat and cried, like little babies, because of the way they’re being bullied, intimidated, a hostile work environment. It’s unacceptable.”

He brought up an SBI investigation. “A lot of people have been dragged through the mud. It will be interesting to find out what that’s about.

“Please, fix the problem. It’s probably complex, but you can do it. I’ve got faith in you.”

Rodney Miller, Advance fire chief, agreed that problems with EMS need to be addressed. He was the Advance chief when the county suddenly withdrew EMS crews there.

“We’ve got to do something with EMS and the public safety sector in this county,” Miller told commissioners. “It’s bad, and when I say it’s bad, it’s getting worse. I don’t know if ya’ll have seen it or are just overlooking it, it’s getting to the point that decisions have got to be made by somebody.

“We’ve got guys that won’t even talk to us out in the field. Everybody is scared to death with all of these allegations going on. I don’t know where we’re at on it, but we’ve got to do something, OK.”

Miller said he’s not sure the problem can wait until a new county manager takes over in August.