The Norwood Fire Department stunned its Town Council Monday night with firefighters announcing their resignations.
Fed up with rumors and innuendos that the Norwood Town Council wanted to eliminate the town’s fire department in favor of contracting fire services with the Center Rural Volunteer Fire Department, all of the department’s officials quit, according to Mayor Beverly Johnson.
Johnson followed their lead and later announced her resignation, too.
She blamed the fire department’s sudden resignations on campaign agendas that included cutting taxes at whatever costs.
“This is the way they’re living up to their campaign promises,” Johnson said. “I do not like the way they have treated people. They don’t have feelings for people who look after you.”
Brian Hardman, assistant fire chief and member of the Norwood Fire Department for 23 years, began the surprising series of events by posing a question to the council.
“I wanted to know why they were wanting to disband the fire department,” Hardman said.
When the board failed to answer him, he suddenly tendered his resignation. Fire Chief John Lambeth then quit.
Roughly 15 firefighters from the Norwood Fire Department resigned, including a chief, two assistant chiefs, two captains and one lieutenant.