Disagreement between fire departments

FAYETTE TOWNSHIP, Ind. (WTHI) - Hard times closed a volunteer fire department in Sandford in Western Vigo County.

The department closed in July leaving people there in a sticky situation.

Help now comes from nearby New Goshen.

The problem is, however, it adds time to get to someone having an emergency.

In the midst of that debate, two volunteer fire departments are in disagreement.

New Goshen Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department says Fayette Township Volunteer Fire Department of Sandford approached it in 2010.

The Sandford department was out of cash, didn't have enough man power and needed help.

"Their main concern was if they turn over everything over to us, we kept the fire house open," New Goshen Fire and Rescue Department Fire Chief John Schoffstall said.

New Goshen's Fire Chief says his department was supposed to get Sandford's fire trucks and equipment.

This would keep Sandford's fire house operational.

It would also keep response time and homeowners insurances rates the same.

"They approached us about doing this and now they're not wanting to do anything," Chief Schoffstall said.

It's a concern for the department now, since no one is currently manning the Sandford station.

According to the Insurance Service Organization, on average, response time should be no longer than six minutes. The trip from New Goshen to Sandford is a delayed seven to 12 minutes.

"In a cardiac arrest or a fire, seven to 12 minutes could be life or death," he said.

Jeanette Stultz lives in Sandford.

She's relied on New Goshen Fire Department for at least two emergencies.

"I'm happy to know that we're going to have New Goshen, I'm hoping that Sandford goes with the deal like they said they would," Stultz said

The fire chief said he received a letter in December from the president of Sandford Fire Department stating it was a misunderstanding.

"The letter stated that they were selling their fire station selling the two old fire trucks and that they were going to get the engine."

However, it's still helping its residents and it just wants the issue settled.

News 10 reached out to Sandford Fire Department. Our calls were not returned.