By Todd Hatton
Paducah, KY – Reidland-Farley Fire District taxpayers may be responsible for a fire rescue boat and equipment totaling over $300,000, ordered before a FEMA grant to help pay some of the cost was finalized. The Paducah Sun reports that in making the early purchase, the district ignored a warning from FEMA not to obligate or spend funds while the grant was being processed. Grant documents also show that the fire district plans to use the boat to respond to emergencies on more than 200 miles of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi rivers, including areas in Missouri and Illinois.
McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry says while he supports emergency agencies sharing resources, he thinks the fire district may have gone too far. A nine-member board oversees the fire district. Members are a combination of elected residents, volunteer firefighters and citizens appointed by the judge-executive.