WICKSBURG: 5;53 PM Houston County 911 dispatched a structure fire at 655 North State Highway 123 in Wicksburg. This is on the Dale County side of Highway 84 West.
Houston County 911 dispatched Wicksburg Fire – Rescue, Bay Springs Volunteer Fire, Slocomb Fire – Rescue to the structure fire. No one ever requested Newton Volunteer Fire and the residence is on the Dale County Side of Highway 84.
When Houston County Sheriff Deputies was responding they reported smoke visible. On arrival Houston County Sheriff Deputies reported smoke and flames visible, a working structure fire, fully involved.
I AM NOT BEING CRITICAL OF WICKSBURG FIRE – RESCUE OR THE 911 DISPATCHERS, BUT I AM DOING A MAJOR STUPID SLAP TO THE HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AND HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION …
It is my belief the Houston County Commission Chairman, Brandon Shoupe, and the Houston County Commissioners D1 Curtis Harvey, D2 Tracy Adams, D3 Ricky Heering and D4 James Ivey told the new Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management Director, Mark Powell, not to respond. Some of the famous “lack of brains” in management believes the Emergency Management Office is not a responder but just a planning agency. But some idiot in the Alabama Legislature named the agency EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. It is not the mission to take over the fire but to assist the agencies in the county.
When Chris Judah was Dothan – Houston County Emergency Manager he responded to calls such as this. He never took over, but assisted. Even to the point of putting on fire fighting gear to assist in fighting the fire. But this group of County Commissioner, especially D3 Ricky Herring, had issues with Emergency Management responding. And from day 1 of his taking office D3 Ricky Herring was determined to get rid of Chris Judah. And because of a former Dothan Fireman, Herring and the others took the opportunity and forced Judah to resign.
And making sure appropriate agencies responded was one of the things that former Dothan – Houston County EMA Director Chris Judah would make happen.
So, if what happened in EMA was something to force Judah out, let me ask. THIS HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION Chairman and Commissioners first budget was prepared by former Chairman Mark Culver. The budget was required to be passed in September and they did not take office until November. So this Chairman and Commissioner have only done 2 budgets. And the second budget, GET THIS … this Commission Chairman and Commission OVERSPENT BY $ 10 MILLION DOLLARS the budget!!! So should this Chairman and Commissioners be forced out of office?
Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management does not respond to things in Houston County. I am not blaming Director Mark Powell because I think this commission told him not to respond. Because they think EMA only plans. But in the county EMA is a resource to work beside fire – EMS and law enforcement assisting them with resources and needs.
And I could go on.
6:30 PM Wicksburg, BaySprings and Slocomb are still fighting the fire and Newton has never been requested.
Anyone with scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
