Craig Daily Press

Moments after 40 Maybell residents voted to put their fire department under control of Moffat County, Volunteer Fire Chief Dave O'Conor submitted his resignation, as did a number of other volunteer firefighters, during Wednesday's Maybell Volunteer Fire Department board of directors meeting.

On May 22, during a meeting in Maybell, Moffat County commissioners notified residents that the volunteer Fire Department needed to choose between falling under the county's control or becoming an independent department, handling fire calls and billing for expenses on its own.

The department is currently somewhere between the two with duties being shared.

At Wednesday's meeting, 14 residents opted for an independent fire department, while 25 voted to have a county-run department.

Commissioner Tom Mathers said there is no time to hesitate in moving the fire department forward.

"Fire season is here. We've got to get on this right away," he said. "We'll put together some parameters and go to the board with recommendations."

Under the county, vehicles will be re-titled in the county's name, and commissioners will authorize dispatching trucks and crews to fires and appoint members to the department's board of directors.

The decision was tough, Maybell resident Red Baker said.

"It's too bad, but it was damned if you do, and damned if you don't," he said. "We've just got to work it out."

Other residents immediately stepped up after the resignations and volunteered for the board or to become firefighters.

Ted DeFebio didn't want to see the town's fire truck go unmanned.

"If you're taking volunteers, I'll put my name down now," he said.

Dottie Petrini-Kossar was happy to see 40 people turn out for the vote, but she was surprised by the result.

"I'm concerned, but worrying doesn't help," she said. "Maybell is pretty strong, and I think we can pull together."

Her concerns include a number of Maybell's elderly residents who are isolated and disabled, and she knows the fire department needs people trained and able to fight fires.

The number of volunteer firefighters remaining on the department remains in question, as every resident older than 18 and willing to participate in meetings and activities can respond to a fire, according to the department's by-laws.

Mathers spoke to O'Conor after the meeting, asking the chief to stay on through the transition.

"I hope he will stay on board," Mathers said.

The Maybell Volunteer Fire Department board of directors meets the second Wednesday of each month at the fire station.

Dan Olsen can be reached at 824-7031, ext.207, or dolsen@craigdailypress.com