Ogdensburg City Hall and public safety officials say a new fire dispatch policy won’t endanger the public. Firefighters beg to differ.
It’s just a line. On one side is Ogdensburg fire territory and on the other is Heuvelton’s. It runs near the intersection of Routes 68 and 37.
Until this week, Ogdensburg firefighters never hesitated to cross over the line when needed.
Public safety officials say that’s still the case.
“Everybody will respond to every incident just like they normally have and ask for help from the neighboring department just like they always have in the past,” said Matthew Denner, St. Lawrence County director of emergency services.
But that’s not what a veteran Ogdensburg fire captain said on Facebook Monday. Gerald Mack’s post read in part, “Unfortunately we have been ordered to delay response which in the past has proven to make a difference.”