July 27, 2015

Prudential Committee
Three Rivers Fire District
50 Springfield Street
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Dear Prudential Committee members:
I am submitting this letter in response to the questions presented by the Three Rivers Fire
District Prudential Committee. Because so many of the questions were vague, I often had to
guess at the nature of the inquiry. If you need additional clarification, please let me know.
Topics:
1. Thorndike Fire, January 31, 2015, 4033 Church Street
Answer: I am assuming, based on prior discussions with the Chair that it is the billing
procedure for reimbursement from Thorndike about which you are inquiring.
On Tuesday March 10, 2015 at approximately 7:30pm, Chairman Ray Domey came to the Three
Rivers Fire Department during our department training session (forcible entry) to discuss with
me the procedure for billing the reimbursement amount due Three Rivers Fire District for calls to
Thorndike. Chairman Domey had documents with him that stated the procedure was to send the
bill directly to the Thorndike Fire District including the new rates to be charged. I stated that it
was my understanding from a discussion with retired Chief Patrick OConnor, that the bill went
to Chief Alan Roy of the Palmer Fire Department because he was given money each year from
the Thorndike Fire District, to pay for mutual aid to Thorndike. Chairman Domey said that he
would send the bill directly to Thorndike himself. Therefore, I concluded that I didnt have to do
the billing since Mr. Domey was going to handle this billing matter.
During the first two weeks of June 2015, Chairman Domey went to the Palmer Fire
Department to inquire with Chief Roy as to how many calls in Thorndike the Three Rivers Fire
Department was called to. Chief Roy searched his fire reports and indicated that the January 31,
2015 call had been the only one. Chairman Domey questioned this and Chief Roy assured him
that records were correct. On June 30, 2015 Chief Roy had informed me that neither he/nor
Thorndike Fire District, had received a bill for the January 31 st fire. Since I was away on
vacation, I then contacted Lt. Dan Daigle to have him submit the bill to Chief Roy. Lt. Daigle
promptly did so and the bill was submitted via email.

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Additional documents: 1. Copy of email sent to Chief Roy on June 30, 2015. 2. Letter from
Chief Roy explaining the procedure of billing for reimbursement for mutual aid to Thorndike. 3.
Previous invoice from retired Chief OConnor dated October 18, 2012.
2. Recruiting of [Firefighters]: How many [Firefighters]? Breakdown of Officers to
Privates and Duties. Not maintaining sufficient fire force. Not recruiting.
Answer: There are currently 25 members on the department including 2 Deputy Chiefs, 2
Captains, and 3 Lieutenants. Regarding a question from Prudential Committee member William
Jalbert as to how many members there were when I took over the answer is there were 30
members at that time. In regards to recruiting, I am currently working on a Probationary
Firefighters Academy that will provide all new hires with the required training necessary for
them to be promoted to the rank of private. This training will include Three Rivers Fire
Department operations, required First Responder and CPR training, Incident Command training
(required for eligibility for federal grant funding), and introductory classes provided by the
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Once this program is completed and the itinerary
established, I will be placing ads in the local paper as well as obtaining free recruiting posters
from the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association. Members of the fire department
will take part in recruiting as well.
In regards to the implication that I am not maintaining a sufficient fire force, this is clearly
not the case. Obviously, in cases of serious fires or other emergencies, all fire departments or
districts rely upon mutual aid. However, the best gage at an acceptable staffing level is a
comparison with other departments in the region with similar populations or areas. I have
provided a copy of both Bondsville and Palmer Fire Departments current roster. It will show that
Bondsville has 23 members and Palmer has 25 members. According to NFPA 1720 Chapter 4
Section 4.3 Staffing and Deployment Subsection 4.3.2 Table 4.3.2 shall be used by the AHJ to
determine staffing and response time objectives for structural firefighting, based on a lowhazard occupancy such as a 2000 ft2 (186 m2), two-story, single-family home without basement
and exposures and the percentage accomplishment of those objectives for reporting purposes as
required in 4.4.2. This table indicates that in a Rural area of <500 people/mi2, the Minimum
Staff to Respond is 6 personnel with a Response Time (minutes)c is 14 could meet 80% of the
objectives required for this operation. You can see from the foregoing that our staffing exceeds
that required by regulations and that this department does, in fact, maintain an adequate force.
In practice, we have shown that the dedicated members of this department have an excellent
response record. During the normal working hours of 7am 3 pm, the Three Rivers Fire
Department can provide 10 personnel with a response time of 4 6 minutes with myself arriving
in the Command vehicle in 1-2 minutes. This number does not reflect mutual aid company
response which is almost always called in the event of a building fire as a precaution.
3. [Firefighters] Payroll: Should have been June 5th, not June 19th. Budget for [Firefighters].
Breakdown of Extra duty: Who? What? How Long? Pay?
Answer: I assume from this topic that the Chair is again questioning the timing of when
department members receive their semi-annual payments. As you know, members are paid
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twice yearly during the Fiscal Year. My concern for members being paid prior to the end of the
Fiscal Year were addressed at a regular monthly Prudential Committee meeting, (approximately
May of 2014). My concern with Mr. Domeys payroll disbursement method (paying on June 5 th)
is that members would be paid for estimated hours worked for the month of June, not actual
hours. I have been informed by each of the 3 accounting firms in use during my employ that the
accounts are open until well into July. Therefore, payroll could be submitted after the close of the
fiscal year, which would allow for members to be paid for work ACTUALLY performed through
June 30, not ESTIMATED. Payments in July that were for the previous fiscal year just ended
may be accrued at the end of the year, June 30th. As for the budget for firefighters, this is
submitted to the Prudential Committee by me yearly. Each year the members of the Prudential
Committee have viewed, discussed, and approved for submittal to the Finance Committee, who
in turn have also reviewed, discussed, and approved. This budget is then incorporated into the
annual district warrant at the annual meeting and voted on by the residents of the Three Rivers
Fire District. Also submitted to the current accounting firm, was the breakdown of how each
member is paid as well as how funds are allocated to each account. Chairman Domey, during a
Prudential Committee meeting, stated that Water Department Assistant Superintendent at the
time, was being paid on Friday with the assumption that he worked on Saturday and his check
needed to be held for one week so the hours could be verified to ACTUAL work performed.
This rationale should also apply to Fire Department pay. Again, this is why I delayed pay until
June 19th, to include more actual hours.
4. Finance Committee meeting: Had to be called. Not prepared.
Answer: The date given to me for the meeting was incorrect and, the notice of the meeting
was not posted in the usual location, at the fire department headquarters. I was informed by the
Chair that the meeting date was the Wednesday after the actual scheduled meeting date. As far as
not being prepared, this is not correct. I was prepared. All budgetary items with completed data
were on the computer in the main office of the Fire Department. When I arrived at the station at
approximately 6:55pm, I printed the necessary number of copies needed by the Finance
Committee. To my knowledge, there was no delay in the meeting. In summary, I was prepared
but for some unknown reason the wrong date of the meeting was given to me. However, due to
the fact that I live a few minutes from the station I was able to arrive at the meeting before
7:00pm.
5. Salvage Vehicles: Not working to dispose of surplus vehicles.
Answer: The meeting minutes provided to me by the Prudential Committee reflect that I have
done everything asked to this point to accommodate the sale of the vehicles in question. As
directed, I have provided several avenues for the listing and sale, and I have requested a value of
each vehicle from District insurance provider Graveline Insurance. I have also advised the
committee that it would be difficult for the insurance company to obtain a value for the Rescue
Truck, as they have not attempted this in the past. The next step would be to obtain written
permission from the district procurement officer(s) for the sale of these vehicles. According to
the Employee Handbook, page 25 Surplus, Salvage and Scrap: Any Property belonging to the
District and used by the District, Fire Department or Water Department termed surplus,
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obsolete, unusable, broken or unrepairable shall not be discarded without written

permission by the Procurement Officer. At this time, the Water Department Superintendent and
the District Treasurer have been appointed by the Prudential Committee as the procurement
officers. They have not approved, in writing, any sale of District Vehicles.
Documents provided: Copies of minutes from each meeting this issue was discussed.
6. Credit Card: Improper usage: gas purchases, wireless cell phone, restaurant.
Answer: Since I was appointed chief, invoices have been submitted on a weekly basis. Each
week Chairman Domey reviews these submittals and has AT NO TIME, held any of my invoices
due to improper use. Gas Purchases: During the July 13, 2015 Prudential Committee meeting,
Chairman Domey addressed the issue of using the department credit card for gas purchases. I
advised Chairman Domey the reason for this was due to the discontinuance of the corporate
Citgo Gas Card. Citgo no longer provided this service and I was in the process of obtaining a gas
card from WEX. I have 3 emergency vehicles that are fueled by gasoline, and at the time fuel
was needed, the credit card was the only option available to me. The date of the multiple use for
gas was January 26, 2015. The reason for the multiple use for gas was due to preparations for the
winter storm expected to hit the area. I had used the card to fill up my command vehicle and then
used it again later for our support vehicle to assure both were in service if needed. During this
event, the Three Rivers Fire Department was staffed not only for fire & rescue emergencies, but
also to assist Palmer Ambulance Service in the event they were delayed in responding to our
district for any medical emergencies.
The wireless cell phone in question is in fact an iPad. It is used for Fire Prevention Officer
duties as well as pre-planning for incidents. This item was brought to the attention of the
Prudential Committee prior to being added to the AT&T account. The iPad eliminates the need
for storing paper copies of inspections. It allows me to sign each permit and then email it to the
attorney immediately after each inspection. This would coincide with our incident reporting
software (Emergency Reporting) in that each building could be added to a database accessible to
each officer or member of the fire department prior to or during an emergency. This software
(Occupancy), greatly increases the safety of each firefighter as they have access to all pictures,
floor plans, hazards, etc. associated with the buildings in our response area. Also, questioned by
the Prudential Committee were charges to the credit card for iTunes. This charge was for storage
for both the Fire Department cell phone (iPhone) and tablet (iPad). Apple products use the
iCloud to store information on each phone/tablet. When either item is purchased it has a
limited amount of storage space available (5GB) and it is necessary to purchase additional
storage so any official information is not lost. This purchase must be done using a credit card.
This is done through iTunes. These are all in the Apple family of products.
The Prudential Committee also stated that it was discussed previously, during a meeting that
the department credit card was to be used only for emergencies. I dont recall this and am unable
to locate this policy in any of the minutes of Prudential Committee meetings.
The credit card charge at Pinocchios Ristorante was for the purchase of food for members of
the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association who attended a meeting hosted by this
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fire department. These meetings are held at fire departments all across the Commonwealth and it
is the responsibility of the host department to provide food for the members attending.
Documents provided:
1. Email indicating the date of purchase, amount of, and cost of additional iCloud storage.
2. Copy of letter from Kevin Connolly, MCVFA Region 4 Vice President.
7. Command Vehicle: Improper useGPS, Purchase of new tires.
Answer: As stated in my contract, Section 7A. The District shall provide a vehicle for use by
the Fire Chief and pay for all attendant operating and maintenance expenses and insurance so
long as said vehicle is to be used by the Chief in connection with the performance of his official
duties and for his professional growth and development. It may be used by the Chief for all
reasons, as the Chief is on-call24 hours per day.
After reviewing the GPS data provided by the Prudential Committee, I see no indication of
the alleged improper use, nor is there any evidence to the contrary provided by the Prudential
Committee.
Purchase of new Tires: According to my contract Section 1. DUTIES The Fire Chief shall
have Managerial and administrative control of the Fire Department. Such duties will include:
A. Duties and responsibilities pursuant to Mass. General Law Chapter 48 [Section 42]. Section
42. Towns accepting the provisions of this section and sections forty-three and fortyfour, or which have accepted corresponding provisions of earlier laws may establish a
fire department to be under the control of an officer to be known as the chief of the fire
department. The chief shall be appointed by the selectmen, and shall receive such
salary as the selectmen may from time to time determine, not exceeding in the
aggregate the amount annually appropriated therefor. He may be removed for cause by
the selectmen at any time after a hearing. He shall have charge of extinguishing fires in
the town and the protection of life and property in case of fire. He shall purchase
subject to the approval of the selectmen used and keep in repair all property and
apparatus for and by the fire department. He shall have and exercise all the
powers and discharge all the duties conferred or imposed by statute upon engineers in
towns except as herein provided, and shall appoint a deputy chief and such officers and
firemen as he may think necessary, and may remove the same at any time for cause
and after a hearing. He shall have full and absolute authority in the
administration of the department, shall make all rules and regulations for its
operation, shall report to the selectmen from time to time as they may require, and
shall annually report to the town the condition of the department with his
recommendations thereon; he shall fix the compensation of the permanent and call
members of the fire department subject to the approval of the selectmen. In the
expenditure of money the chief shall be subject to such further limitations as the town
may from time to time prescribe. The appointment of the chief of the fire department in
any town or district having a population of five thousand or less may be for a period of
three years.

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After being told by the mechanic in charge of inspections at Labontes that it would not pass
next inspection, I concluded that due to safety issues and tire wear, it was prudent to purchase
four tires.

8. Work Hours: Unauthorized absence from District during work hours, Not maintaining
Office Hours, Not fulfilling Duties of the Chief: Inspections, unable to contact, not
returning phone calls or emails, Knowingly falsifying time off.
Answer: The Prudential committee has provided no evidence to any of these topics and under
Section 4A. Hours of Work, my contract it states The Chief agrees to devote that amount of
time and energy which is reasonably necessary for the Chief to faithfully perform the duties of
Fire Chief under this Contract.
Under NO circumstances have I ever falsified time off. Each time I used a vacation/sick day I
notified the District Treasurer via email, as required by the Prudential Committee even though
my contract states no such procedure is necessary. As far as not being able to contact the number
for the Fire Department issued cell phone used by me, the number is listed on the window at the
Fire Department Headquarters building. This is visible to everyone.
Supporting documents: 1. emails to District Treasurer indicating use of vacation and sick time.
2. Copy of document provided to District Treasurer indicating intended use of vacation time for
2015.
9. Unauthorized use of District Property: Pancake Breakfast, Violation of District By-Laws,
Associations.
Answer: Section 1. DUTIES Subsection B. of my contract states in part, The Chief shall
retain authority in the use and management of fire department facilities and equipment. This
shall include the use of equipment of Fire Department facilities and equipment by associated
departments or organizations such as fire explorer programs and the emergency management
agency.
The implication that I somehow violated District By-Laws is incorrect. I was not provided
with any evidence to such a violation. Additionally, the Prudential Committee, had failed to
provide me with a copy of the District By-Laws prior to these current questions. There is a long
standing history of the Association using the Fire Station. A fund raising event like a pancake
breakfast, where the proceeds were to eventually help the Department, doesnt conflict with
Department goals.
The issue of the Firefighters Association, as well as some of the other questions, has only
been addressed since I have been appointed chief. Ive been a member of this fire department
since 1994 and the Prudential Committees during this period of time has not had an issue with
the operation of the Firefighters Association nor have they attempted to govern it. The
Association, from what I have been told by retired members, has always been a separate entity
from the department. The purpose of the Association is to raise funds for and to assist the Fire
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Department, Department members and the Community. It has never been run by the Chief or the
officers. It has its own elected officers. Please direct any Association concerns directly to the
Association.
If the Prudential Committee wants to change these long-standing practices, it should let
everyone know with sufficient time to make other arrangements.
10. Chainsaw Incident: [Firefighters] Locked out for One Month, No keys.
Answer: A chainsaw obtained from the Federal Excess Property Program went missing from
this department. Once I noticed it was missing, I sent out a message on our private Facebook
group page asking for information as to its whereabouts. The next morning I arrived at the station
at approximately 7:30am to find the chainsaw returned and broken. It was clear at that point that
a member of the Fire Department was responsible. This was a new chainsaw that had never been
used, and upon its return looked like it was abused by someone with no chainsaw experience. It
would not start, the new chain had been ground down over half way, the bar was blue from
overheating due to no bar oil, and the bar was also bent beyond repair. At the next monthly
meeting all members present were asked individually, if they took the saw for personal use.
Everyone told me it wasnt them and they didnt know who was responsible. After discussing
this issue with the Deputies it was agreed that taking all keys and limiting usage of the station to
official/emergency business only was a fair way to draw out whoever was responsible. This
tactic however, proved unsuccessful. In taking the keys from the members, it was established
that if I was to be unavailable to open the doors in the event of an emergency, another fire
department officer would be available to open the office door.
At NO TIME were the members of this department locked out as ALL members are aware
of the alternate access to the apparatus bay. The members of this community were and never will
be put at risk due to disciplinary actions imposed on the members of the department by me based
on the actions of one or two dishonest individuals.
At this point, I will address additional questions from the Prudential Committee that are not
on the list of questions.
1. The reason I was in Westfield on May 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 was for the Massachusetts
Firefighting Academy, Fire Officer II class hosted by the Westfield Fire Department. I have
included the email confirming my acceptance to that class.
2. When I leave the district for any period of time, another officer of the department always
covers for me. Deputy Chief John Sasur and Captain Gary Majka cover the majority of the time I
was away. If there were no available officers, then Chief Alan Roy from Palmer Fire Department
or Chief Scott Gustafson from Bondsville Fire Department would provide coverage and Palmer
Police dispatch is always made aware if the other Fire Departments are providing coverage. At
NO time do I ever leave the district without ensuring coverage in case of an emergency.

Respectfully,
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Scott Turner, Fire Chief