Fire training center to stay open

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — “You hear rumors and innuendo, and you try to decipher what’s going on.” That was a statement from Bill Lothrop, chairman of the Fire Advisory Board, which represents 41 fire departments in Sullivan County. He was speaking to county lawmakers at a Public Safety Committee meeting on February 8.

The rumor was that when Bob Theodore, the person responsible for opening and closing the Fire Training Center in Bethel, retires from the county on February 29, his position would not be replaced. Some firemen believed that meant the county intended to close the doors of the training facility.

Lawmaker Leni Binder, chair of the committee, was quick to dispel any such notion. She said, “We did not put that building there to keep it closed. We know the lifeblood of this county is the firemen. We absolutely know that they have to be trained because otherwise they lose their certification.”

She said that the person who would replace Theodore would not necessarily earn the salary he earned after a 20-year history with the county and that details of the duties of the position were sill being worked out, but that there would be a county employee tasked with the opening and closing of the building. And the county will continue to perform its other duties regarding the center, such as keeping the lights on, the plumbing working and the grass cut.

Lothrop said he was pleased to hear that and reminded lawmakers of the recent efforts of local firefighters.

“Training is near and dear to the fire service,” he said. “Since 911, we have expanded training and our firefighters are some of the best in this region.”