Madison County ends rescue squad’s active operations

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) — Some people in Madison County are worried there’s a threat to public safety.

The county government has decided not to renew a contract with its 45-year-old rescue squad made up of more than 20 members.

Members who are responsible for everything from saving people trapped in cars to helping control traffic at events.

On February 12th the Madison County Rescue Squad will no longer work with the county.

The county will be turning off the squad’s radios and it will have 30 days to return them.

“It’s just disheartening that you get a letter in the mail with no explanation saying well ‘you’re gone’,” says Lieutenant Steve Rhodus.

Gone is the contract between the rescue squad and county government.

“It’s just disappointing that our county government is doing this,” says Rhodus.

Deputy Judge Colleen Chaney says it’s because the county wants to expand rescue services by having the fire department solely respond 24/7.

She called it ‘enhancing services, not reducing them’.

Right now, the volunteer squad does respond 24/7 with the fire department so Lt. Steve Rhodus says he doesn’t understand why the county thinks this move will ‘enhance’ service.

“If they’re working a structure fire and an accident happens I’m not sure who’s gonna respond. They’re gonna have to depend on mutual aid,” says Rhodus.

In a statement, Judge Executive Reagan Taylor says “This decision was made after careful deliberation and review of a variety of factors including concerns over possible litigation, financial oversight, feedback from citizens, and on-scene safety concerns involving the rescue squad. In addition, feedback and input from members of the emergency response community both within Madison County Government and with our partnering emergency response agencies led to this decision.”

The squad says it knows the decision wasn’t about money since it offered to do without the $16,000 the county gave it annually.

The county also payed for the squad’s lease.

Rhodus isn’t just worried about public safety. He says he made a promise to the squad’s founder just before he died that he’d do his best to keep it going.

“He was depending on us to do that and it’s just a little depressing that we can’t,” says Rhodus.

But he’s going to try. He says the squad will use its own fundraising dollars to help the community however it can.

“Just in case things don’t work out for the county and their plan we’d still like to be around if they were to ask us to come back which I really wish they would. I’ve actually prayed about it,” says Rhodus.

The team plans to properly store and maintain our vehicles and equipment, continue training, and maintain status as a non-profit corporation.

The community has been very vocal on the rescue squad’s Facebook post announcing the news. You can read below.