Is Dillman trying to go independent?
By JOHN PATTERSON
9th District County Commissioner
For The Vista
Ever since the Fairfield Glade Community Club relinquished the titles to our fire engines, etc., to the Fairfield Glade Volunteer Fire Department it has been my belief that Chief Matthew E. Dillman, in his quest for power and authority, would eventually attempt to institute his own “independent” fire department with a paid subscription program required of FG residents.
Unfortunately, my suspicions seem to be accurate, and since that time the following events have occurred that should concern ALL Fairfield Glade residents:
1) Chief Dillman has caused many of the FGFD volunteers to quit, including those with the most experience and certification qualifications.
2) Chief Dillman earlier asked the county to approve his plan to enlarge the FGFD response area to well beyond the borders of Fairfield Glade. Luckily for us, the county denied his request. This was his effort to increase the number of county and FG residents he could bring under his control for his planned paid subscription program.
3) Chief Dillman has insulted and disparaged Cumberland County Commissioners for not approving his recent $50,000 donation request, an appeal he made AFTER the county Budget Committee had finalized the budget for next fiscal year.
4) When asked, Chief Dillman said he would not disclose the FGFD budget to the Cumberland County Budget Committee, even as he insisted that he be given a $50,000 donation. He also stated the $120,000 amount the Club gives him is only a small percent of his annual budget. This is a not true. Instead of the $1 million plus in supposed expenses Chief Dillman claimed, the FGFD reported on their 2015 Form 990 their expenses actually totaled just $192,471 as you can see on page 10 of Part IX at the following internet site:
http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/621/621378711/621378711_201512_990.pdf
Additionally, you’ll find the FGFD had $83,381 in cash and savings (see page 11 of Part X).
5) Chief Dillman recently twice turned off the water to the Fairfield Glade EMS bay, a petty and spiteful action supposedly taken to avoid potential damages at that station. In fact, there has never been any damage caused by EMS ambulance personnel that the county did not immediately make good at zero cost to the Club or FGFD.
6) Chief Dillman’s attitude, lack of cooperation, and recent actions have caused considerable problems for our county EMS Department that could result in greater than before ambulance response times when FG residents are faced with medical emergencies.
In addition, thanks to Chief Dillman, our EMS personnel are often forced to perform their duties in a hostile work environment.
7) With far fewer experienced and certified firefighters available, we should be concerned that if an actual on-site evaluation of our FGFD should take place, our ISO rating would worsen and our homeowner insurance rates would increase dramatically as a consequence.
In short, it is not in the best interests of Fairfield Glade residents that Matthew Dillman remains as FGFD Chief.
The residents of Fairfield Glade should not be subjected to making the decision of either paying a fire department “subscription fee”, or paying a $5,000 to $8,000 charge from the FGFD if they have a fire. (I have been assured, however, that the Cumberland County Fire Department will take appropriate action if Chief Dillman refused to respond to a fire call if the resident happened not to be a paid subscription member).
Furthermore, I believe there will be little consensus among Cumberland County Commissioners to consider any future donations to the FGFD as long as Matthew Dillman is the FGFD Chief.