Owego Village Board and Firefighters Dispute Continues Tonight

More information has come forward on the fire department debate in the village of Owego.  Yesterday, WEBO’s Hometown Hotline fielded several calls from both “active” members and “inactive” members.  Inactive members are alleging that the new 377 page operations manual presented by active members includes stricter safety guidelines for all firefighters.  While the “inactive” members agree with stricter safety standards, they say the new standards are far more strict than the industry standard, making it too difficult for many members to keep pace.  Meanwhile the active members are alleging that the village board is siding with the inactive members by delaying a vote on the new operations manual until new fire officers can be voted on during the department’s annual election next month.  They fear that the safety standards will be thrown out if they are not voted on before the election.  The village board says they haven’t had enough time to review the entire document.  The active members are threatening to walk out on the department tonight, if the operations manual is not acted on at tonight’s special village board meeting.  The active members claim that their departure will leave the village without sufficient fire protection.  Tonight’s meeting is open to the public, and has been moved to the Hubbard Auditorium at 56 Main Street in Owego.  News Radio WEBO will have a reporter at the event, and will send out a Text Alert following tonight’s meeting with results.