Wood County's Volunteer Rescue Squad Back in Service
Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 -- 8:01 AM
(WDLB) -Wood County’s volunteer rescue squad is being put back into service, a week after outgoing Sheriff Tom Reichert disbanded the organization.In a news release issued Monday, Sheriff Reichert says he stands by his original decision to demobilize the unit, siting his intent to “protect the value and integrity of the equipment belonging to Wood County, and guarantee a decent resale price was realized going forward”. But also siting what Sheriff Reichert called “the emotional response” his actions produced, he has reinstated the rescue squad. He says it’s “so citizens can have their voice with the Wood County Board of Supervisors” and incoming Sheriff Shawn Becker, who will take office in January. The Sheriff said he wanted to take the money for the program to build new mental health programs at the Wood County jail??"a moved supported by the Wood County Board through the 2019 budget process by a unanimous vote of 19-0 last Tuesday. Sheriff Reichert says his original choice to demobilize the Rescue Squad was a correct one based on a duplication of services.
Reichert says the claim of people being endangered by the rescue squad’s elimination “is simply false”. Reichert also says the rescue squad has a very limited service area, which leaves out all of northern and western Wood County, and yet, the cost of the program is spread out to the entire tax base of Wood County. Reichert says his hope is that the reinstatement of the Wood County Rescue Squad “will provide a learning opportunity for people to participate early in the budget and government process”, and have their voices heard.
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